The B&DJR had opened on 12 August 1839 with a line to Hampton, where it met the London and Birmingham Railway for passengers from Derby and the North East. Trains would reverse for Birmingham and travel into Curzon Street. This gave problems from the start and although it had been planned to run direct through a junction near Stechford this was not proceeded with and permission was sought for a new line via the Tame valley to a new station nearby.