A. Langley, engineer to the Midland Railway, and opened as Sawley Junction on 10 December 1888[1] on Tamworth Road.

The investigation blamed fog, inadequate braking power, excessive speed and fogman error for the collision.

A major junction south of the station at Trent links with the cross-country route to Nottingham.

West bound services to Birmingham travel via Derby and the Cross Country Route.

Developments along the Erewash line are expected to bring changes to Long Eaton station.

A plan drawn up in 2011 recommended a new Derby to Mansfield service via new stations at Breaston & Draycott, Long Eaton West (renamed from Long Eaton), Long Eaton Central, Stapleford & Sandiacre, Ilkeston, Eastwood & Langley Mill (renamed from Langley Mill), Selston & Somercotes and then to Pinxton via new trackbed connecting with the Mansfield line from Nottingham at Kirkby in Ashfield.