Trains to Spondon originally left from the north end of Derby station before turning east towards Nottingham. However, on 27 June 1867 the Midland Railway, successor to the MCR, opened a new route towards Nottingham (and London) which led from the south end of Derby station (so that Manchester – London trains would no longer have to reverse at Derby). The new route and the old joined immediately west of Spondon, which was to remain a junction station until 1969, when the original, more northerly, connection to Derby was closed as a through route.