The station is located on the Midland Main Line, between Derby and Leeds, 133 miles 8 chains (214.2 km) north of London St Pancras.
The unmanned station is served by East Midlands Railway, which operates local services from Derby to Matlock, via the Derwent Valley Line.
The station master's house was separate, being beside the track to the north, and there was small luggage store just outside the gate.
In July 2005, the station was adopted by WyvernRail plc under a scheme promoted by the Friends of the Derwent Valley Line.
[2] Ecclesbourne Valley Railway passenger services extended to Duffield in April 2011, allowing heritage trains from Wirksworth to connect here with the Midland Main Line.
[3] National Rail services at Duffield are operated by East Midlands Railway, using Class 170 diesel multiple units.
Timetables vary during the year, with more services at weekends and school holidays; patterns include yellow, purple and green days.