This bypassed the North Midland Railway's original line, which had avoided Sheffield due to the gradients involved and came to be known as the "Old Road".

The platforms were built over the highway, with timber waiting rooms without canopies.

The brick built booking office was at road level on Station Road with footpaths to the platforms, the up line to London was accessed via the footpath under the station bridge .

The booking office building still exists and is currently in use as a television repair shop.

After leaving Chesterfield the line diverged at Tapton Junction, Sheepbridge marking the beginning of the long 1 in 100 climb through Broomhouse Tunnel to Unstone