Author : David Ripley
ISBN : 9780853617464
Cover : paperback
Price : £13.95

First published in 1973 with a second edition in 1993, the author prepared a third edition in 1997 which included much new information. Around that time publishing was moving towards digital and, with the first edition on film and hard to amend, the revision was put to one side. With a change of ownership of Oakwood Press, the book has been digitized and redesigned to incorporate the recisions. Unfortunately it is published posthumously as the author passed away in 2020.

The book recounts the problems Derby faced from the River Derwent being dammed by mill owners, which together with the dry season made it unnavigable. The solution was the Derby Canal which opened in 1796 and ran 14 miles from the Trent and Mersey Canal at Swarkestone to Derby and Little Eaton. The Little Eaton Gangway was a tramway that linked Little Eaton to Derby, mainly carrying coal. Chapters in the book cover the early history, rolling stock, the route, closure and revival, and there are various appendices also.

The book has 80 pages and 69 illustrations including photographs, maps and charts.