Date: 29/09/2015

A PIECE of Derby's rail history from the site of what was once one of the city's biggest employers is set to live on at a community railway. In its heyday, the rail link serving Celanese Acetate regularly transported goods to and from the 270-acre site, where at one time about 20,000 people worked. But for a number of years the line has stood idle after bosses at Celanese decided to stop the majority of production at the site. Now it will put to good use at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. [From Richard Buckby]

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View west at Spondon towards Derby on 21 February [see image 42222] in an area full of history. The Derby-Nottingham canal survives as a path beyond the flats on the right; while the East entrance to Chaddesden yard was just beyond the road bridge (Raynesway) in the distance. The sidings on the left serve the Celanese works, which is under threat of 'lift and shift' to China. Finally, the grey gate on the left used to access a sizeable signalbox. The approaching DMU is heading for Nottingham.
Location: Spondon
Company: Midland Railway
21/02/2013 Ken Strachan

Derby Lightweight DBSO M79900 stands at Wirksworth station on 3 April 2009.
Location: Wirksworth
Company: Wirksworth Branch (Midland Railway)
03/04/2009 Craig McEvoy

Unit 150002 at Wirksworth on 25 May 1985 with the Wirksworth Phoenix. The special, which ran from Derby, was organised by Hertfordshire Rail Tours. The location is now the home of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.
Location: Wirksworth
Company: Wirksworth Branch (Midland Railway)
25/05/1985 Ian Dinmore