Matlock Riverside was the terminus of Peak Rail, a preserved steam railway of approximately 4 miles in length. For many years Peak Rail had planned to run trains into Matlock station, shared with the main line from Derby (the Derwent Valley Line). The station itself is a temporary wooden construction, and was previously used at Chee Dale Halt near Buxton when Peak Rail was based at Buxton in the 1980s. Due to operating complications at the Buxton end of the route, Peak Rail moved south to Darley Dale near Matlock, and the former Chee Dale Halt was re-used, forming Matlock Riverside.