The Midland station closed in 1967, along with the line to Rowsley, and the site is now a roadway. However, the line through Dove Holes Tunnel from Chinley is still used for freight, such as limestone from Tunstead, along with the old Midland branch into Buxton and part of the old Ashbourne Line (closed to passengers in October 1954), which remains in use to serve a lime works at Dowlow and the quarry at Hindlow. These both join the main line just outside the station, where there also a number of sidings to allow trains to reverse. The bay platform formerly used by Ashbourne line trains and the connecting curve from it towards Dowlow have been removed, though it is still possible to trace its route. The LNWR station now handles local trains into Manchester, using its line through Dove Holes and Chapel-en-le-Frith.
The trainshed roof of the remaining station was removed, leaving only the fan window and its stonework at the end of the station as a remnant. In 2009 the fan window was restored to its former glory.[1]
Accidents
A runaway limestone train demolished the boiler room and gents' toilet and damaged the porters' room in 1897, killing a passenger and injuring a porter.[2]
The station is fully staffed, with a self-service ticket machine also available for use outside the ticket office opening times and for collecting pre-paid tickets. A payphone, waiting room and toilets are all provided in the main building, whilst platform 1 has a waiting shelter and bench seating. Step-free access is available to both platforms from the main entrance.[4] In November 2022, Buxton became the first station in Derbyshire to install dementia-friendly signage.[5]
Services
Two Northern services awaiting their respective departures towards Manchester.
Until May 2018, there was an hourly service daily (including Sundays) between Buxton and Manchester Piccadilly, taking about one hour. The service frequency was enhanced to about half-hourly in the morning and evening peaks. A limited number of trains worked through beyond Manchester, with trains to/from Blackpool North, Clitheroe, Barrow-in-Furness, Wigan North Western, Preston and Kirkby.[6]
From 21 May 2018, two trains per hour started running between Manchester and Buxton all day, one of which omits certain stations en route. The evening and Sunday service remains hourly and there are no longer any through trains north of Manchester.[7]
The service is currently (2023) hourly during the day and evening, with additional trains in the morning and evening peaks.[8]
Platform 2 is the main platform for arrivals and departures. Platform 1 is a departure platform by shunt move, which is usually used in early mornings by the first trains of the day.
Network Rail has proposed, in their North West route-specific utilisation strategy (RUS), installing a facing cross-over which will allow platform 1 to become fully operational as an arrival and departure platform. Doing this will reduce the number of shunt moves.
