The Midland Railway Act of 1864 authorized the construction of the Sheffield & Chesterfield line, although the railway and Dronfield station did not open to trade until Monday, February 2, 1870. John Holloway Sanders, the architect for the Midland Railway Company, designed it. The line was constructed as a single track with passing facilities at ten-mile (16 km) intervals. Sheffield & Chesterfield line links the city center with its northern suburbs and takes about an hour to drive between them. Traveling by train is much faster than driving because there are no traffic jams or costs for parking tickets. You can also work while traveling by train instead of sitting in traffic. The line runs through picturesque countryside with views out over the Pennines. It passes through Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Penistone before ending up in Chesterfield. There are about thirty stops along the way, most only have one or two buildings at each station but some larger stations include Rivelin Road, Keppel Street, and Bearwood. Chesterfield has more modern shops and restaurants than any other town on the line and is easy to get around on foot. The old town square is surrounded by historic buildings including a cathedral, a castle, and several museums. If you visit at lunchtime, don't miss the chance to try the local dish - pea soup!