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

Re: Moorlands and City Railway

I had a fantastic day yesterday, managed to go to Caldon Lowe 3 times, with 34028, 71000 and the 12 coach beer run with the 8f...
Also had a ride on the DMU.

The 12 coach run with the 8F was nothing short of fantastic.. I feel for the fireman as I have a 1" lump of coal in my hair at one point... (if you want to re-use it I can give it you back) and the spark show coming from it.. I sure it was heard from some way off.

Very good day. I think the crowds were definitly unexpected, but after all it was day 1, I have a feeling as the event continues the crowds will drop somewhat.

£25.. no problem with the price, circa 90 miles of steam haulage makes it...around 27p a mile... hardly bad value and my place was at the front coach window on two trips and the
12 coach didnt matter where you were..everyone heard it.

Those complaining at the cost sorry to be blunt but at the end of the day you pays your money and takes your choice...it's not as if the event or it's pricing was a secret, If you want a cheap ride out, come back on a regular day, i think it's a bit rich to roll up on the opening day, expect a seat and a ride at regular fare and not even have to queue.

Lots of pictures to come.. very well done to everyone putting on such a spectacular show at such short notice... looking forwards to more of the same.. but keep it special !

 

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

Briliant day, I highly reccomend the ride !.. So good I had to do it 3 times

Pictures to come.

 

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

And presumably if it was dark you weren't tempted to point your camera at the 8F......!

 

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

All 8Fs are black in the dark :fencing:

 

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

I was driving the 8f sat nite chris was on black 5

 

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

A few pictures from my visit yesterday. Would have liked to have had a second full run to the Cauldon Low end, but I enjoyed the day. Was impressed with the cakes and tea at the cafe at Froghall Station were still as good as ever.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/c1916399_1.html

 

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

And thanks for the brilliant fireworks display complete with awesome soundtrack! I was in the second coach and think I managed to video a good two thirds of the climb, a lot of it lit by the volcanic exhaust and the firebox glow, a night I will remember for a long time. Nice to meet up briefly on the footplate back at Froghall whilst the stock was split. I have just got back so will check out the vid tomorrow and post my take on the weekends events :thumb:

Thanks again, Neil.

 

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

I met Frank for the first time last night....I found him at the front window getting as close as he could to the 8F

(caveat being his first words are " all 8fs are black at night"

 

Re: Moorlands and City Railway

I am quite supprised at some peoples comments to be honest. Judging by the crowds in the train on Saturday I dont think we could have safely shifted more people. Its just a shame I couldn't be around for the beer ex. Sounds like you great time!

 

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

I must say I did enjoy the 'Beer Train' on the Saturday evening. Despite it being dark, nothing was lost as it only enhanced the sounds coming in through the open window, and the glowing sparks floating past like fireflies.

The Red 8F up front, and the Black 5 at the rear sounded wonderful, although as mentioned (I was in the front carriage) they were both black in the dark.

 

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

Thanks to all involved for a great weekend. My video from the two days may be found here;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx3koX4QZM4

 

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

Thanks to everyone at MCR/CVR for making it such an awesome event this weekend. Stopped right till the final train tonight,stood in the complete darkness at "Illegal Crossing"/Bridge 6 listening to the black 5 storming up the 1 in 40. The sound was simply immense and proved what a fine loco it is. Its on video and is being uploaded as i type

Part 1 of my vid is now up at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3x5rTgst2I

Cheers,
Mark

 

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

12 coach beerex is out again next sat nite which locos would you like to be on the train to bring you back for another nite?

 

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

Now put both parts of my vid up:

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3x5rTgst2I

Shots:
44767/8624 at Bradnop
34028/44767 at Beaver Hall
44767/34028 at Ipstones Summit
71000/34028 at Ipstones
34028/71000 at Ipstones Summit
8624/71000 at Beaver Hall

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2QpN9rbKTU

Shots:
34028/8624 at Bridge 6 ("Illegal Crossing",LC)
44767/34028 at Bridge 6 ("Illegal Crossing",LC)


Cheers,
Mark

 

Re: Moorlands and City Railway

Here's a selection of mine from yesterday

Very good to meet up with Neil, Chris, Lil bear, Glyn, Ali, Frank and Ralph !..
Neil, hope to see your video of 8624 on the climb from Leekbrook.. the sound track on mine is brilliant.

This line really is the Foxfield railway for Big engines .. cant wait to see a GWR 8 coupled up here some day.

 

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

absolutely awsome sounding loco isnt it!

 

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

Austin - showed 'em how again - lovely shots of steam - in - the Staffordshire Moorlands context.

Other commitments kept me away today and will next Saturday night - Boo Hoo

But I won't be far away on the other steam days. Let's just hope the sunny skies haven't gone for good

 

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

Hey Ralph,
weve been rumbled.. 20 secs in !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WCKg7wYNJc&feature=related


Ive put a few pictures of my day out here..

http://railways.national-preservati...oorlands-and-City-Railway?p=378772#post378772

 

Re: Moorlands and City Railway

On "Day One" with a one in forty, and the big engine line up I'm afraid that the lack of forethought as to car parking was a major problem. I have had problems parking on the Churnet Valley on normal weekends. This was an accident waiting to happen. I didn't try to get to Froghall until the daylight had gone, and there were cars parked up to half a mile from the station and PCSOs having a field day. If the parking had been like that all day then it is very lucky that Froghall is not a "village" but a mere hamlet with a railway station and a lot of derelict industrial land that can be taken up instantly for car parking. Mix in a couple of thousand of potential locals and there would have been real trouble.

There needs to be park and ride into future events both at Froghall, which was swamped, and at Cheddleton, where in all reality there are only a couple of dozen spaces, both from Cheadle and Ipstones, and possibly Leek too. At this time of year hiring in open farmland won't work for most cars, and all that will happen is a mudbath. Is there any land at Leekbrook sidings that could be pressed into use?

There might not be this level of patronage again, but there doesn't need to be for there to be congestion and for Staffordshire Moorlands Council or the Staffordshire Constabulary to be taking an interest if vehicular problems of this sort re-appear.

Along the lineside I do not know where this impression of a scarcity of lineside access has come from. I have placed a link on a previous page in this thread to the Local Authority public footpath map. The area is criss crossed with them, as photos and videos from legal viewpoints show. The hand wringing and breastbeating about trespass is just overdone. The chap on the video should have been challenged to move, and the same with any other sleeper end addicts. I saw none, and frankly, Austin shows the utter redundancy of the smokebox close up school of photography and video in any case.

For the line's long term publicity a little lineside flailing at such as Winkhill and Bradnop would supply guaranteed cover shot publicity, and there is no such thing as bad - and free publicity

As to car parking on some of the country roads. Yes there were lots of cars. Yes there was some inconsiderate parking - but it was the exception and I personally saw no obstruction and no angry drivers whether locals or visitors. The only farmers or locals that I spoke to were friendly and helpful, even to the point of providing a tow rope for one driver who had a front wheel in a ditch.

I am sure that as "must have that shot" becomes more run of the mill that the fotter will become the B&B customer, and the pub or roadside cafe customer, and that the local economy will see benefits that on day one were not evident, or exploited.

The cost - on "weekend one" I don't think there can be complaints - BUT from hereon in as the "must do" pressure declines, I can see real resistance from the family market, especially curious locals, who may just want to do one trip, and - yes - it is a real mistake to put your cafe and shops behind a £25 pay barrier. Put the portacabin on the platform and grip the trains. Let the nutters pay their £25 and ride all day, but serve the one trip market from hereon in too. The net result will be higher overall revenue on all heads - and that is what CVR and MCR want from this month's celebrations.

 

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

Can we request crews? :lol: