The original station at Tamworth was opened on 12th August 1839 by the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway, a forerunner of the Midland Railway. The station acquired it's current formation on 26th June 1847 when the London and North Western Railway opened its Trent Valley Line. This passed at a right angle beneath the original Birmingham and Derby line with a new joint station designed by John William Livock. Most of his stations have been closed, but one that still exists is at Market Harborough.