The railings are to be found within the Railway Conservation Area. As with all Conservation Areas, any new development, including railings, must preserve or enhance the area's character and appearance. The Conservation Area was designated in December 1979, recognising the important place the railway has in Derby's history and development.

The railings were completed at the beginning of 1998. Separating Derby Station's North Car Park from Railway Terrace, they are the result of a desire to create something more appealing and in keeping with Derby's heritage than simply "putting up a fence". Partnership working between the City Council, Midland Mainline, Railtrack, and Derby Pride, the former regeneration company, was important in bringing the artwork into being. All of the partners were keen to have something that enhanced the area more than traditional railings would have done. As the photographs suggest, they were very successful!

   

130 metres in length, the railings act as a security measure to prevent open access to the car park. At the same time, they reflect the City's engineering history and revitalised railway industry.

Parts of trains from couplings to buffer stops are presented within the railings, creating what Midland Mainline called "a unique frontage".

Artworker Michael Johnson, who made the railings, explained that he had visited Midland Mainline's depot in Derby, Etches Park, and a railway scrapyard in Rotherham to collect the parts he needed.

He said: "It was quite difficult finding pieces of equipment that would fit in the railings and provide the look I was after. I had to have the purpose of some of the parts explained to me but I'm sure that a lot of people in Derby will know exactly what they are".