Since 1835, Wirksworth’s citizens had been promoting various ideas for a branch line from the North Midland Railway, later the Midland Railway, at Duffield. The Midland was initially unenthusiastic, but then realised that the branch could be extended to Rowsley, albeit with difficulty, avoiding the section from Ambergate, on its Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway, which was shared with its rival the London and North Western Railway (LNWR).[2] It is for this reason that all of the bridges along the line, including the one which simply has a head shunt under it (Cemetery Lane), are built to the double-tracked grand Midland Railway style.
The planned route for the 8.5-mile (13.7km) line, linking Duffield with Wirksworth, was surveyed in 1862 (receiving parliamentary assent in 1863), which would follow the valley of the River Ecclesbourne. In 1867 the line was complete and officially approved for passenger services.
At the time of construction, the The line was opened to Wirksworth on 1 October 1867 and was worked initially by the Staff System.
Under the original scheme, it would have descended from Wirksworth to Cromford using a 1,503-yard (1,374 m) tunnel and a 280-yard (260 m) long viaduct, then proceed parallel to the existing line, but on the west side of the river through Matlock to Rowsley.
However, when the lease expired on the original Ambergate line, the LNWR withdrew and the Midland acquired complete control; thus the section beyond Wirksworth was never built. The Midland was left with one of its few branch lines, and one which, it felt, was of questionable viability.