The Midland Railway – Butterley offers a comprehensive experience for enthusiasts of steam railways and heritage lines, providing a range of facilities and services that cater to all ages and interests. Visitors can embark on heritage train rides that transport them back in time, explore a railway museum, and visit a demonstration signal box. The site also features a Victorian railwayman’s church, narrow gauge, miniature, and model railways, shops, buffets, a children’s playground, and a country park. Free parking is available for all guests.
For those interested in special events, the Midland Railway – Butterley hosts a variety of themed weekends and seasonal festivities throughout the year. These events include Victorian train weekends, Easter events, steam and diesel locomotive events, trains to the seaside at Swanwick Junction Station, Halloween events, firework nights, and Santa Specials during the Christmas season. Each event offers unique experiences that highlight the rich history and charm of the railway.
The site also boasts a 35-acre country park, providing a tranquil setting for visitors to enjoy nature and explore the remains of old collieries, tramways, reservoirs, and the Cromford Canal with its Butterley Tunnel. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bluebells, celandines, meadow flowers, and various bird species, making it an ideal location for relaxation and exploration.
Catering options are available on-site, with Deeleys Victorian Tearoom at Swanwick Station offering hot and cold drinks, light snacks, and ice creams. The shop at Butterley Station provides cold drinks, snacks, and ice creams, as well as a selection of railway and transport-themed souvenirs, books, and cards. While the Tea Room on Butterley Station is currently closed, visitors can still enjoy these offerings during their visit.
For those interested in delving deeper into railway history, the Historical Model Railway Society Museum and Study Centre, located within the Midland Railway – Butterley site at Swanwick Junction, offers extensive research facilities, layouts in different gauges, and static displays. The three-storey study centre houses over 300,000 original engineering drawings, more than 200,000 photographs, a comprehensive railway library, and extensive archives housing original railway documentation. Friendly and knowledgeable volunteers are on hand to assist visitors.
To plan your visit and stay updated on upcoming events, please refer to the Midland Railway – Butterley calendar.
