 The Railway Mania of 1845 found the Potteries still without a railway , although the surrounding towns of Stafford , Crewe , Derby and Macclesfield were all connected to the fledgling railway system . The Staffordshire Potteries Railway promoted a route from Macclesfield to the Grand Junction Railway mainline at Norton Bridge plus a spur to Crewe . At the same time the Churnet Valley Railway promoted a line from Macclesfield to Derby with a branch to Stoke . After these two companies applied for the necessary powers to build the lines , Parliament suggested a pause of a year " to afford time for consideration and for maturing some more complete scheme for the accommodation of that important district " . 
