Derby was chosen as the site of the school because it was geographically central in the LMS empire, and would enable students to visit the sidings, control office, workshops and other places where they could practice some of the things they were studying.

[4] It was designed by the company architect, William Henry Hamlyn and is dominated by the centrepiece of the facade, the entrance portico, with a full height staircase window and roof lantern.

[1] In the lounge, William Henry Hamlyn designed a mural which shows the development of road and rail transport from 1838 to 1938.

[1] The main Hall of Transport in the building contained a large O gauge railway which was used for educational purposes.

In 1991 a conference suite was constructed for British Rail's Quality and Safety Services Department.