When the Midland Railway (originally Midland Counties Railway) line from Nottingham to Derby opened in 1839, the nearest station to Sawley was a mile out of the village on Sawley Lane, Breaston. It was originally called Breaston but was renamed Sawley to avoid confusion with Beeston. Sawley resident William Smith (1854-1947) recalled the days when – at least for 3rd class passengers – there were no closed railway carriages, only a sort of truck with un-upholstered seats open to the weather.
Sawley station closed in 1930 and the site is now a scrap yard. The signal box was demolished in 1968, a few months after the original crossing gates were replaced by automatic half barriers.
In 1887 Sawley residents petitioned the Midland Railway for a new station between the village and Long Eaton, which would be much more convenient than the old station. Sawley Junction station opened 18 months later, on 3rd December 1888, with the first train arriving at 7.30am. As a special treat, JohnThorpe paid for all the village children, and many adults, to travel to Trent Station and back by train. The first train to Derby arrived at 8.10am with George Wilmot taking the first ticket. Mr Birchall was the first station-master and Albert Wilmot the first porter.
From 1932 the current station was known as Sawley Junction for Long Eaton. Since 1968 it has been called Long Eaton Station.
The railway bridge over Nottingham (Tamworth) Road, built in 1837/38 is Grade II listed.
Sawley Junction Signal Box