Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

Not to mention all the Polyphons (I think I've spelt that right), Queen Victoria's stockings and the semi-legendary Dog Carrier - ouch!

 

Having mentioned the pork pies it would be wrong to miss their good selection of hand-pulled beer, including Burton Bridge bitter. If only the tracks still went to Cauldon Low it would make a great destination for the Rail Ale train.

 

Took the words right out of my glass there Neil

 

I have always said that the CVR is currently a nowhere to nowhere railway. But saying that it actually has the potential to be something completely different. In theory it could go from Leek to Alton. Stopping off at moneystone park (if that goes ahead https://www.moneystonepark.co.uk ) on the mainline and then the branches could go up to link with the Leek and Waterhouses trail, a halt for the peak Wildlife park, and then a link to the mainline and into large areas of population in stoke on Trent . Masses of potential.

 

Yes masses of potential but would require someone with deep pockets.

 

The problem is that Moneystone Park is nowhere near the railway and would require a long walk up and down a very steep hill.

 

The proposed Moneystones site, while up the steep valley side, is within a half mile of the railway's current railhead in the sand sidings and woodland walks from the site down to the railway do appear on their revised master plan. It seems the proposal is "ready" for it and would be a feather in a cap regardless.

EDIT: Also for easier access to the A50 trunk road, extending as far as Denstone (or near it) would be best as it's within a few minutes drive past JCB.

 

Sorry if I've missed any correspondence or this opens up a can of worms... but a few years ago this forum was awash with endless debate (i.e. argument) and progress reports about Moorlands & City Railway. But I've not seen or heard anything about it in many months. What gives?

 

That's a long way from Leek...............

Oh, hang on - 'wrong' Alton!

That's what working on the MHR does for you.

 

Now that would be an interesting heritage line - Alresford to Leek.

 

Peering at companies house M&CR is still active as a company, and is usually mentioned in press releases about the Cornhill Development in Leek where the new station will go in. Their website, however, has gone and I wonder if they've decided to go quiet for a bit and get on with the job of negotiating with NR and the local council for when they need to run commuter services between Leek and Stoke.

So which of the more southern 'Heritage' TOC's do you think we could convince first? LSL or Vintage Trains?

 

I don't fancy doing the track walk though!

 

Why not?
It's only about 200 miles.

 

OK, how long do I have to do it?

 

The walk bit would be OK, but carrying the fishplate spanner or key hammer would leave you with aching arms.

 

I think you would need a lot of French fancies to do a line walk of that length!!!

 

Mr Kiplings, or the giant ones they do in Costa?

 

Or good old Staffycher Oatcakes....

 

No news for a bit - but OAPWay were out today looking at a couple of dipped joints - now sorted hopefully. Hard work digging out ballast but at least it was warm and dry.

 

Went to the end of the line, or what was the end of the line. Rather sad to see it like this.