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Written by Sam Clements - 11 Mar 2005
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Location notes
Belper is a small town approximately 9 miles outside of Derby. It is in the heart of Derbyshire and has a beautiful landscape. The station is a small two-platform country station situated on the Midland Mainline and the Virgin Cross Country route between Chesterfield and Derby. There is a Branchline just north of the station at Ambergate that goes to Matlock. This line used to be extended to Manchester Via Buxton.
Railway type and traffic
You would usually see Midland Mainline HSTs, Virgin Voyagers and Super Voyagers on the mainline passing through the station at 110mph as well as a lot of Meridians on Sundays. The Matlock stopping service is usually formed with a Central Trains 156, 158 or 170, with the occasional Double 153. The 156s come in a variety of liveries with the most common being the Central Trains livery.
There always a fair bit of freight mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner with 66s and 60s.
Environment
The station is situated in the town centre. It is a very small town with a warm feel to it. Most of the people in the surrounding area are friendly.
Road directions
The station is well signposted from the A6 through Belper

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Belper map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a public car park for Sommerfield surrounding the station so there is no shortage of parking.
Public transport
There is an hourly service from Derby to Belper operated by Central Trains. There is also the Morning service from Barnsley and Sheffield.

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Amenities
There is no shortage of chip shops and bars in the immediate area. It’s right next to the high street. There is plenty of things to do other than stay at the station.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Belper

Googly map
Streetmap links
Belper general view map
Belper close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Belper



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Photographic notes
The railway runs under the town as apposed to straight through or round it, this means the station is in a cutting. The rail is on a natural cant, which also helps with the effect on you photos. Because of the blind corner some trains do sound their horns when approaching the platform.


General views - All photographs © Sam Clements unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

The footbridge affords a good overhead view of passing trains

Fig 2 - Looking north - Pic © John Jarman


Fig 2 - Looking north - <i>Pic © John Jarman</i>


Fig 3 - Looking north - Pic © John Jarman


Fig 3 - Looking north - <i>Pic © John Jarman</i>

Taken here from the Long Row bridge, just north of the station. This is the most northerly of the four consecutive, closely spaced bridges over the cutting. These can all be reached via footpaths which run alongside the line from the Down platform.

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