Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening Gala

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Good selection for the diesel gala a 24 AND a 25 , Have to save my pennies now for both steam and diesel galas. Well done.

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

The MCR website( www.mcrailways.co.uk ) has now been updated with locomotive information and train times etc.

The online booking system should be fully operational in next couple of days.

Regards

Chris

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

This whole event is shaping up to be a marvelous experience! All that is needed are a couple of crisp, clear November mornings for maximising visual effect to accompany the sound of the steam locos on the grade to Ipstones (both directions, of course!). Can't wait! Several questions - 1) I note the trains to Cauldon will be top-and-tailed. Will this be all the way from K&F? 2) will the leading locos on the Cauldon-bound trains be working chimney-first wherever possible? 3) will there be lineside permits available?

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

The answers to above are;

1) Trains will only be top and tailed from Leekbrook - Cauldon - Leekbrook.
2) All locomotives will be facing smokebox to Cauldon.
3) I will have to check on lineside permits, last time we had a meeting on the gala we did not make a decision on this.

Regards

Chris

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Here's a recent picture of 33102 still very much in bits http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/2010c/33102_1.htm.
What are the chances of it being ready for the gala?

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Thanks very much for answering my questions, Chris. Here is one more! From my deciphering of the timetable, in general during the gala, will the K&F - Cauldon train cross the Cauldon - K&F train at Leekbrook and if so, will the tail loco of the latter become the banker for the Cauldon-bound service?

Regards,
Ron Perry - buxton4472

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Just out of interest, where is the summit of the line on the Leekbrook - Cauldon Low section please?

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

The summit is just to the south of the site of Ipstones station. A pdf of the gradient profile is attached to #27 in this thread.

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Yes that is correct!

Regards

Chris

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

As has been reported elsewhere Sunday the 3rd of October saw the first steam engine on the Cauldon Low branch since 1967!!

8F No. 8624 took 4 coaches + 37075 (to haul the train back to leekbrook) upto Apesford Level crossing. This was a distance of 3 1/2 miles of 1 in 45.

Crew training will be taking place throughout October.

In preperation for the gala the 8F has now had the valve timings set by Mr Adams from the KWVR which has transformed the engine dramatically - it sounds like an 8F now!

I will post a link tomorrow of some filming that was taken of the crew training yesterday.

Regards

Chris

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Chris, Is Route Learning and driver trainning taking place over the week/weekend of the 23rd October to 1st November and on weekends in October?
Thanks.

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Training is going on on various dates in October depending upon volunteer availability.

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Give my thanks to Mr Adams for sorting out the valves ! Can't wait to watch the video when it goes up !
Must give myself a kick up the a**e and get to see her again soon.

Simon.

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Here is a taster of the diesel thrash that can be expected on the 1in40 gradient!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uTMbkgszdU

ENJOY!

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Its One month (13.10.10) today before the re-opening gala on the 13.11.10

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

The MCR website has now been updated with ticket prices for the gala.

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

As reported else were, 33021 left Tyseley yesterday and has arrived at the CVR.

33021 will be straight into traffic today as part of crew training on the Leekbrook Junction - Cauldon Lowe extension subject to availability.

33021 will be staying at the CVR until the end of November and will therefore line up alongside 33102 on the 20/21/26/27 & 28th November both of course subject to availability.

Alot of work has been done at very short notice (less than 24 hours) to arrange the movement of 33021 to the CVR so special thanks to all involved - we are very grateful!!

Regards

Chris

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

Is Class 33021 running Sunday (17/10/10) on Driver Training?

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

I think I read somewhere a while ago that there was going to be a bus service from Stoke railway station to Froghall, is this still going to happen?

 

Re: Churnet Valley Railway& Moorland & City Railways Cauldon Lowe Branch re-opening G

You can buy day rover tickets on the website, but how do you apply for a booking on the first train on the 13th?, is it by phone?.
Are the steam trips top and tailed with steam , or is there a run round loop at Caulden Lowe?