Moorlands and City Railway

Because of the simple number of crossings between Northallerton and Leeming Bar - There are two on the ELR, one on the KWVR and probably twice that and more on the initial section of the Wensleydale - costly in equipment and manpower.

 

OK - sorry I though you were referring to the MCR/CVR. AFAIK they will be barrier operated and the design work has been done.

 

Bitterly cold today working on the South Leekbrook turnout today. Since swopping the mainline and loop running lines over, we have not been happy with the point. It was decided to change over with a point we had in store which was more suited. So while we had a couple of non running days it had been planned to do it this week. Great turnout (no pun intended) 10 P/Way men were there and with the help of Frank driving the loco and Martin on the crane plus an early start we managed to do all the work, apart from drilling 4 fishplate holes in rails that were cut to length. Some p/way men are there tomorrow to tidy up. Thanks to all involved a job well done. Just a couple of photos, was to busy to take anymore.

 

I understand that Moorlands & City are to lift the surviving tracks on the Cheadle branch for re-use elsewhere?

 

It was frozen finger day today and I don't mean fishfingers. We split into 2 groups one doing a line walk, the other timping up the South Leekbrook points. I dont know which was the worst job, both resulted in cold feet and hands. I worked with the point group and only time I got some warmth was trying to start the dammed broaching machine. However we persevered and eventually got it going, finished the job now it's all ready for the little blue engine to run over it. Don't know if the other group have been seen again, could not wait to go home then realised had only taken 1 photo. So to make amends took a couple of the S160. Bit restricted for room in the shed but will give you some idea how its coming along.

 

Hi Jeff

Is that S160 supposed to be running at the Gala in two weeks time?? Doesn't look anywhere near finished enough to me. Not that it bothers me really as I am not a big fan of these locos.

 

Here's the 'A' gang at 'work'. Not too bad once frozen finger wore off thanks to hitting numerous fish-plate bolts and keys along the way. (I let Alan hold my hammer so he looked more impressive than his normal pencil and spray-can wielding self )



Also a couple a shots of Thomas - who looks suspicioulsy like a MSC tank to me, but with add-on tank extensions ....

 

It is most deffo the MSC beast...[FONT='lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif]Gothenburg. I have to say tho it does look much better in Green...the old girl has been ruined in Thomas blue [/FONT]​

 

Just spotted the following article which sounds good... Leek News | News | Railway link plans on the right track and it looks like the village green decision will be made in March.

Best wishes,
Nigel

 

I know times are hard but I didn't know Government grants had been reduced this much!

"MCR last year won a £1.65 grant from the Government’s Regional Growth Initiative to further its plans."

Barely even enough for a communal bacon sarnie!​

 

We did the big line walk from Cauldon to Leekbrook today in readiness for the gala in 10 days time. We did it in 2 groups one(the A team)starting at Apesford down the valley the other (B team) from Cauldon to Apesford across the moors. Nothing much out of the ordinary to report, we put right most of the jobs the remainder will be done next week, took a few photos of the walk to Leekbrook. The first one is an open culvert of which there are several on the line. The second is the remains of the platfom at Bradnop Station, No3, Bridge 4 over the Leek Rd, No. 4 the view from the CVR line showing the 4 directions of the Junction.

 

What a bunch of poseurs - 'A' team my r's !

 

Is it planned to reconstruct/reopen the stations on the Cauldon line? It runs into some excellent walking country up there, providing easy car free access to that could provide some serious traffic for the CVR/MCR I would have thought.

 

Not currently as the branch has primarily been restored for freight. However personally I'd love to see it extended back into Waterhouses to serve the bike centre for the Leek and Manifold trail, but I doubt it will happen for a host of very good reasons.

 

Cheers for the reply. I assumed the freight traffic would take priority and i guess lack of stations means no worries about platform clearances etc. Its a shame, there's a good avenue of passenger traffic to tap into there I reckon. In the same way that the NYMR opens up the moors in yorkshire, the CVR could do wonders for the staffs moorlands.

 

Never say never, but certainly not a priority right now. Nice to compare the Staffs Moorlands with God's own chosen country, but you'll never convince me of that!

 

Sheff noted :

Nice to compare the Staffs Moorlands with God's own chosen country, but you'll never convince me of that!

I'm not so sure !

When using the back road to KWVR Gala last weekend from Colne I passed the 2 reservoirs which has has the Yorkshire / Lancashire boundary passing between them. The Lancashire reservoir was well frozen but the Yorkshire one had only a few ice traces at one corner covering about a couple of square yards. When talking about the weather with some locals at Haworth and referred to this difference one local pointed out "Tha's reet lad ! We're too tight to spend money on putting ice on summat that don't matter".

At least Moorlands is prepared to spend money - even if it does comes from Government grants. !

 

It would be nice to see the grant materialise,

 

Ah think tha'll find difference is due t'lack o' sun on't dark side and warmth o' welcome on't our side

 

Except that the boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire has been in a quite different place since 1 April 1974!