In preparation of becoming part of a trans-Pennine network to the East Coast, the first station (which had been designed by Joseph Paxton) had been built on a northwards alignment.

Rowlsey's new station was particularly grand, with large first- and third-class facilities and, unusually, a subway between the side platforms to cater for dignitaries visiting the Duke of Devonshire in 1891.

Besides the London expresses, some of which called at the station, there was substantial goods traffic; this included limestone southwards from the Peak District and, in particular, coal northwards from the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Coalfield.

Northwards from Rowsley, the line climbed over 600 feet in fourteen miles to its summit at Peak Forest with punishing gradients.

A large motive power depot and marshalling yard was opened in 1877 to provide banking engines and to split trains as necessary.

The line has since been reopened in stages from Matlock by Peak Rail as a heritage railway, reaching its present terminus at a new station at Rowsley South, which opened in 1997.