Above: 2F 0-6-0 no.58228 puffing hard alongside Bakewell’s northbound platform on 17th June 1958. The arrow shows where the photo was taken on a map dating back to the 1890s.
Bakewell Station opened on 1st August 1862, some 13 years later than planned. The line between Ambergate to Buxton had reached Rowsley, just a few miles south, by 1849. But the Duke of Rutland refused permission for it to continue on its intended route close to his Haddon Hall country house (view short history of the line).
The railway company proposed an alternative route through the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth estate, but received a similarly frosty response.
Bakewell Councillors eventually managed to persuade the Duke of Rutland that a station was important for the town’s future. He finally agreed, but only on condition that the line ran through a tunnel as it passed Haddon Hall. A decision that cost the lives of five workers killed during its construction.
Above: Click the ‘Now’ button – or drag the green slider – to compare the photo of WW1 soldiers disembarking from Bakewell Station with today’s view.
The station house was situated beside the northbound (down) line. And furnished with extensive first class facilities in the hope that the Duke would use it, but it seems he preferred Rowsley. Both platforms were linked by a cast iron footbridge and sported iron and glass canopies.
The canopy above the southbound platform was removed in 1947 (photo 6 below shows it had been removed but the supports were still in place). The photos also show that the canopies above the northbound platform had been cut back from six to four in around 1957.
Extensive goods yard
The station had an extensive goods yard with stone built offices and a crane capable of lifting 5-ton loads. Photo 7 shows the signal box which controlled traffic into the yard. And photo 8 was taken from the box, with the goods sidings on the right.
In 1867 the railway company extended the line all the way to Manchester. So Bakewell was now on an important mainline route stretching between London and Manchester. In 1923 the company was taken over by London Midland Scottish Railway (LMS). And in 1948, became part of the nationalised British Railways.
The 1963 Beeching Report recommended the closure of the line and the station finally closed to passengers in 1967, just over 100 years since it was opened, with the track being lifted in 1969.
Photo gallery
Click on any photo to enlarge and use the arrow keys to scroll through. (Photos 9 & 10 courtesy of Middleton Press: Ambergate to Buxton. Other photos courtesy of Disused Stations.)
Other Monsal Trail stations : Hassop : Great Longstone : Monsal Dale : Miller’s Dale : Blackwell Mill Halt