Welcome to the Historical Model Railway Society Museum and Study Centre
Funded entirely by donations from members and friends of the Society, our purpose-built Museum & Study Centre is situated within the Midland Railway – Butterley site at Swanwick Junction, Derbyshire. It features superb research facilities, as well as layouts in different gauges and static displays. The three storey Study Centre provides access to more than 300,000 original engineering drawings, over 200,000 photographs, a comprehensive railway library and extensive archives housing original railway documentation. Friendly and knowledgeable volunteers are on hand to assist. On the ground floor are the exhibition area with layouts & displays and our well stocked shop, selling our own publications, second hand books and donated model items.
Opening
Members, researchers and visitors are welcome, but we must ask that you either phone the M&SC on 01773 745959 or email ec2@hmrs.org.uk to make an appointment for your intended visit. This will also ensure that if you wish to see a particular Officer then that person will be available when you visit. We normally are open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-30am to 3-00pm. Someone will meet you at the Swanwick gate to let you in. Small parties can be accommodated with plenty of advance notice. Visits on other days may be possible by prior arrangement. Access from Butterley is only possible when Midland Railway Trust trains are running and coincide with our opening times. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available but there is no food. Please do not turn up on spec, you will probably be disappointed.
By car directly to Swanwick Junction
If you wish to go directly to the Swanwick Junction site then please follow these directions:
From the North via M1
Leave M1 at Junction 28 and join the A38 towards Derby;
leave the A38 at the 3rd exit; follow the brown tourist signs for the Midland Railway Centre;
at the traffic lights at Swanwick Church (Steam Packet Inn on left) TURN LEFT:
at the next set of traffic lights turn RIGHT (Co-op on right);
continue until you reach the Newland's Inn on the right and immediately turn RIGHT along Coach Road, a private road. (beware of the speed humps and the pot-holes);
fork right and follow the lane to the entrance gates to the Midland Railway Centre.
From the South via M1
Leave M1 at Junction 26 and follow A610, (signposted Ripley):
continue as far as Codnor;
at the traffic lights in the Market Place turn right along un-numbered road towards Leabrooks;
continue until passing through trees,
at the bottom of the hill turn LEFT into Coach Road and continue as above.
From South via Derby
Travel North along A38 and follow the brown tourist signs to the Midland Railway Centre, then follow the directions above.
Car Parking
Please park you vehicle in the main car park on your right immediately before the second set of gates as the parking space at the Museum and Study Centre is restricted. Disabled visitors may drive in to the Midland Railway Centre and park by the HMRS building which is clearly visible to the left as you enter the Centre.