Researching Railways

A short guide to the published sources and archives relating to the rail industry in Derbyshire. A very brief history The Stockton-Darlington line, the world’s first public steam railway, opened in 1825. The Livepool-Manchester line, the world’s first public passenger steam railway opened five years later. From this point onwards many railway companies were formed, …

Transport archives

A short guide to archives available for researching the history of transport routes and methods in Derbyshire, from roads to airports and vehicle manufacturing to hauliers and carriers. More detailed guides, including for roads, canals and railways will follow in the coming month. No particular mention is made below of material in the local studies …

Finding Derbyshire Business archives

A guide to finding the archives of Derbyshire businesses. Derbyshire Record Office holds nearly 1000 collections for businesses and trades across the county and city of Derby, primarily for the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, although some date as early as the 16th century.  Amongst the largest of these collections are: D1851 Bryan Donkin and …

Clay Cross Treasures – one volunteer’s quest through the archives

It seems logical to have an introduction. I’m Phil, I’ve been volunteering now at the Record Office for 4 ½ years. Prior to this I had worked here for 2 ½ years and got very attached to the place! I couldn’t be got rid of that easily! Over those 4 ½ years I have helped …

Matthew Goodden of Abergavenny: toll gate entrepreneur, forger of railway tickets

We have published a few previous posts about Roger’s work as a cataloguing volunteer.  In the following post, Roger tells us about another recent discovery in the records of the Thornsett Turnpike Trust: A document in this collection which made me curious was an invoice from Matthew Goodden of Abergavenny for water and gas supplied to a …

Treasure 47: Plan of proposed railway to Mapperley Colliery

This treasure (Q/RP/2/207) is a plan of a proposed railway to Mapperley Colliery, submitted to the Quarter Sessions Court in 1889 by the Great Northern Railway. It shows the line between the Heanor branch and the Midland Railway branch to Mapperley Colliery. This is one of over three hundred railway plans and books of reference …

Flying Scotsman Designer

Our colleague and friend Sue wrote this post about a year ago when the restoration of the Flying Scotsman had been in the news, with a statue of its designer Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley unveiled at Kings Cross Station. At the time, Sue recalled that Sir Nigel was brought up in Netherseal, the 4th son of Rev Nigel Gresley rector of …

English Heritage publish statement of historical significance about the Midland Mainline

English Heritage publish statement of historical significance about the Midland Mainline English Heritage have just published this statement about one of our local railway lines, drawing in part on material held here in the Strutt collection (viz., sub-series D3772/E52).  It is available as a download for a limited time, although I have saved a copy …

Cromford and High Peak Railway exhibition

We have an online exhibition going at the minute: ‘Cromford and High Peak Railway’, showcasing the image archive compiled by staff at the Middleton Top Visitors’ Centre on the High Peak Trail. Check it out at http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/record_office/our_collection/archive/default.asp