Derwent Valley Line

Derwent Valley line
A Class 153 Sprinter running on the line
Overview
Type	Heavy rail
System	National Rail
Status	Operational
Locale	East Midlands
Termini	Matlock Ambergate Junction (Midland Main Line)
Stations	5
Operation
Opened	1839
Owner	Network Rail
Operator(s)	East Midlands Trains
Character	Branch line
Depot(s)	Derby
Rolling stock	Class 153 "Sprinter" Class 156 "Sprinter" Class 158 "Sprinter"
Technical
Number of tracks	One-Two
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed	50mph

The Derwent Valley line is a railway line from Derby to Matlock in Derbyshire.

The line follows the Midland Main Line as far as Ambergate Junction, which is just south of Ambergate railway station, continuing to Matlock, following the course of the River Derwent.

Local passenger services are operated by East Midlands Trains from Nottingham via Derby to Matlock. Services are approximately hourly Monday to Saturday (with a two-hourly service on Sundays). Two trains per day start/terminate at Derby rather than Nottingham.

The line is operated as one single line block section from Ambergate, using the No Signalman Key Token system under the supervision of Derby PSB. The driver of each train heading for Matlock must collect a token from the machine at Ambergate station before proceeding, and return it prior to leaving the branch.

In addition to the local passenger services, the line between Derby and Ambergate Junction is also used by East Midlands Trains and CrossCountry fast services along with freight services operated by various companies.

The Matlock branch lost its through services to London St Pancras in 2004 when (the former mainline operator) Midland Mainline replaced its Class 170 Turbostar diesel units with Class 222 Meridian sets. The Meridians are not yet cleared to work on the branch.

The section from Derby to Ambergate was built by the North Midland Railway (which ran between Derby and Leeds) and was opened in 1839. Ambergate quickly became busy with tourists alighting for Matlock Bath who would travel onwards by coach. The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway also operated excursions from Birmingham completing the journey by way of the Cromford Canal.