Around 1840 the North Midland Railway, the Midland Counties Railway and the Birmingham and Derby Railway set up workshops to the east of Derby station. Although the Midland Counties had an engine house at Nottingham, the main facilities for all three lines appear to have been, initially at least, those at Derby. That for the Birmingham and Derby was next to its line, near London Road. It had three lines and three wide archways at its entrance, supporting a water tank. In one corner was a smithy. The Midland Counties' shed was rectangular and to the north of the site. Adjacent to it were water and coke facilities, and locomotive repair workshops. The North Midland's became a full repair facility, with a smithy, lathes and other machine tools. These were associated with what is believed to be the first Roundhouse, designed by Francis Thompson. On each side of it, in a vee, were workshops for locomotive and rolling stock repair.

Two groups of these early buildings survive. The North Midland Roundhouse was by Francis Thompson, who was designing the station and Midland Hotel at the same time. His adjacent Carriage Shop of 1839 survives, linked to the Roundhouse by an office building and clock tower. These are all listed Grade II*. The other survivor is the Midland Counties Workshop, also listed Grade II*. It is intended to incorporate them in a new development for Derby College.