Tibshelf’s Railways

Photos and information about the history of Tibshelf’s Railways.

Tibshelf Town

Opened in January 1893

Closed to passengers in March 1963

Closed to goods traffic in May 1964

Tibshelf Town Station looking south. Originally the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, then the Great Central Railway, it became the L. N. E. R. in 1923, before the Nationalisation of the railways in 1947. In the distance can be seen the goods shed and signal box.The station buildings to the right were replaced in the 1950s by a smaller shelter type structure. From here the line went to Nottingham Victoria via Kirkby Bentinck, Hucknall Central and New Basford.
Tibshelf Town Station looking north sometime between 1960 and 1967. The old Vicarage is still standing as is the Church Hall, but the old cottages have already been replaced by the flats on High Street. The next station was Pilsley, thence to Chesterfield Central via Heath. By this time the station had undergone some changes.
Another view of Tibshelf Station, this time much earlier, and judging from the posed station staff, probably an official Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway photograph. The canopies are much larger here, extending to the edge of the platform.
A view of the rear of the old vicarage from the other side of High Street, looking over the deep cutting. It was demolished in the 1970s. Again not much of this view remains, the railway cutting having been filled in years ago. A glimpse of the old wooden Church Hall can be seen on the extreme right.
A view of Tibshelf Town Station from the High Street Bridge. The goods shed and signal box can be seen in the middle distance.
The signal box close up. The gentleman sat on the steps is reputed to be Nev Davis, the signalman, and who use to live on Chesterfield Road.

Another early photograph of Tibshelf Town Station, again most likely posed, and again probably from the MS&LR days. Surprisingly, a coloured version of this photograph also exists, which probably indicates it was commissioned by the railway company

The old bridge which carried High Street over the railway line, and was the dividing line between Top Enders and Bottom Enders. The bridge was replaced around 50 years ago when it became unsafe. Passengers travelling on the upper deck of buses passing over it, had to walk over the bridge in order to spread the load. Its replacement, which was a then, state of the art construction still stands and will have soon have lasted longer than the original structure.

Another view of the bridge, probably taken from a first storey window of the adjacent Wheatsheaf hotel. Most of the other buildings, along with the bridge, have long since been demolished, including the three storey Vicarage and attached buildings, the brick house to the rear, the terraced stone cottages, and the Church Hall which can just be seen beyond.

Another aerial view this time take from over the railway line. Tibshelf Town Station layout can be seen very clearly. The fields on the left are now built on; the Staffa Drive estate. It can also be seen, that whilst West View had already been built, the Derwent Drive estate had not. This dates the photo to the very early 1950s.T he Savoy cinema is also visible on the extreme left.

Looking towards Tibshelf from Newton, this is the LNER line as it passed over the LMS and Newton Road. In the middle distance on the right, can been seen the old good shed, and just about visible on the horizon is Tibshelf Church and the old bridge over High Street. To the left of the photo, behind the telegraph pole you can see the old terraced houses rising up Sunny Bank.

Tibshelf & Newton Station

Opened in 1883

Closed to passengers in 1930

This photo was probably taken from the Great Central Railway bridge over Newton Road, probably dates from the very early part of the 20th century. Note the loaded coal wagons in the sidings, no doubt the product of Tibshelf’s two collieries, or maybe Silver Hill and Butcher Wood which the line also served. The view is looking towards Tibshelf. The booking hall is now a dwelling

Doe Hill Station

Opened in 1862 

Tibshelf’s third railway station at Doe Hill, which is nearer Morton, but still within Tibshelf Parish. Judging from the fashions, and the clerestory coaches, this photo no doubt is pre-1923 when the Midland Railway railway became a constuent part of the newly formed LMS, but is probably prior to the First World War. As with Tibshelf & Newton Station, the booking hall has been converted into a dwelling.