The Midland Railway Study Centre

The Study Centre is a research facility available at The Silk Mill.

What is it?

Three organizations came together in 2004 to create the Midland Railway Study Centre:
    Derby Museums and Art Gallery
    Roy F. Burrows Midland Collection Trust
    The Midland Railway Society

The aim was to establish somewhere that people - including researchers, students, local historians, genealogists, railway enthusiasts and modellers - could discover more about the Midland Railway and its wide-ranging activities.

Derby formed the natural choice for the Study Centre, as it was the headquarters of the Midland Railway for its whole existence from 1844 until 1922. Indeed, the presence of the Company was one of the major factors in transforming the small town of the early 1800s into the modern city Derby is today.

What does it contain?

In combining their collections, the three partners have created the largest publicly accessible resource of Midland Railway material anywhere.

The Centre is a unique assemblage of objects, documents and printed books. It contains everything from signal box lever frames to uniform buttons, plus timetables, maps, drawings, plans, ledgers, tickets, postcards, with much more besides. And as the Centre becomes more established, frequent new additions are being made to its collections.

How does it operate?

To make use of the Study Centre it is necessary to make an appointment.

The Centre is staffed by volunteers and available at regular intervals throughout the year. The volunteers are knowledgeable about the Midland Railway and, working with the museum staff at The Silk Mill, will offer advice and guidance to help you make the most of your visit.

How do I make an appointment?

To make an appointment, or if you have an enquiry, please contact: 
    Midland Railway Study Centre
    PO Box 7123
    Derby DE65 9AP
email: enquiries@midlandrailwaystudycentre.org.uk

The Study Centre partners

Derby Museums and Art Gallery are part of Derby City Council. The Silk Mill - Derby's Museum of Industry and History - is one of the Council's three museums and occupies the site of what is said to be the first factory in England. This silk mill was erected in the 1720s and some parts can still be seen. The Museum also forms the southern gateway to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Admission is free.

The Midland Railway Society aims to bring together those with an interest in the Midland Railway. Members receive a journal and newsletter. The Society also produces occasional publications and has a programme of talks and site visits.

The Roy F. Burrows Midland Collection Trust is a registered charity with the remit of educating people in the history of the Midland Railway. The Trust's collection of material is based on that assembled originally in a private capacity by Roy F. Burrows, a lifelong Midland enthusiast. While Derby acts as the centre of its activities, the Trust also has satellite exhibitions at other venues.

Useful Links

To find out more about the Roy F Burrows Midland Collection Trust
To find out about the Midland Railway Society

 Now go to the Midland Railway Study Centre site for more information.