The
railway between Birmingham and Derby
was authorized in 1836. George Stephenson
was appointed chief engineer but was replaced by his son, Robert
Stephenson, in 1837. The most challenging task was the 20 arch
viaduct at Tamworth. The Birmingham & Derby line opened in 1839
but it was not a great financial success. Between 1841 and 1843 its
dividend averaged only 1.8 per cent. In 1844 George
Hudson organizing an amalgamation between the Birmingham &
Derby, Midland Counties and the North
Midland lines to form the Midland Railway.
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