Local staff at Derby dressed up in Victorian costume to toast off ‘Midland Counties Railways’ – the special train run in commemoration of the 175th anniversary of the opening of the railway between Derby and Nottingham.
The Midland Counties Railway officially opened on Thursday 30 May 1839. To celebrate passengers and guests at Derby were treated to music by the Melbourne brass band and tucked into complimentary Bakewell tarts.
Derby’s Mayor, Fareed Hussain, unveiled a commemorative plaque. David Horne, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains, who with his staff also donned Victorian costume, said, ‘Today is a double celebration as we are marking 175 years of Derby’s railways and the 175th anniversary of the first ever train to run between Derby and Nottingham.
Today this route provides a crucial link for millions of our passengers and it’s important that we reflect on the success of the past 175 years and look ahead to the exciting improvements planned for the future.’ Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Ian Malcolm, welcomed the special train.
‘There’s a great deal to celebrate about the train service between our cities, with Nottingham station undergoing a magnificent transformation that’s almost complete and which, among many other improvements, returns the original buildings to their former glory. I’d like to think the rail pioneers of the Victorian era would be proud of this, whose legacy of ongoing investment in public transport is more important than ever.’
East Midlands Trains’ staff dress up in Victorian dress to mark the 175th anniversary of the first train from Derby to Nottingham. Pictured from left are Rob Burton, Station Manager for Derby, Keith Blackshaw, Train Service Manager, David Horne, Managing Director, Paul Mobbs and Ariane Pradel, who are both Customer Service Managers for Derby.
