Churnet valley railway rolling stock (whats happening?)

Dear anyone in the know
would be so kind as to inform myself and anyone else interested in the current status of the various examples of rolling stock on the churnet valley railway, in particular the latest on the buffet car and the lms inspection saloon?
many Thanks
Patrick

 

It depends what you mean my various examples of rolling stock? I have listed the coaching stock below, and can provide other stuff (loco's, DMU's, wagon's, plant) if required. I have highlighted your vehicles of interest in bold, and also some other vehicles that have recently seen some changes as well. Colour coded for your convenience! Red = stored, black = under restoration, green = in traffic:

• NSR 4 wheel 28 - Stored sheeted at Cheddleton, restoration started 5(?) years ago but stopped due to lack of manpower
• Buffet E1878 - Stored but earmarked as the next Mark 1 rebuild for the railway
• TSO's E4354/S4392/M5175 - In traffic, 4392 in a bad way and likely to be the next running vehicle to be withdrawn
• SO 4779 - In traffic (Dining train)
• SO M4795 - Stored in poor condition, long term job
• Mk2 BSO 9390 - Dragged out of store this month for return to traffic, currently in carriage shed. 90% of the bodywork was completed 4-5 years ago but restoration was stopped. Vehicle now back for finishing off, this month has seen the doors being hung, some doors plated over and lots of spread out bits re-collected to progress the restoration. It is having its internal/door layout modified as it is to be a dedicated brake/storage/bar coach for the dining rake. At present the dining set runs with a normal BSK (with compartments locked out) for the guard so the new arrangement will make operations much neater and enable the dining set to be separate from the other vehicles.
• FO E13236 - In traffic
• FO M13331 - Stored in poor condition, long term job
• Mk2 BFK M14123 - At Oakamoor undergoing contract restoration. Not a CVR vehicle, will leave when complete
• CK M16155 - In traffic. Recently had end pillar repairs and refurbished bogies fitted
• SK M25891/E18832 - Stored in poor condition, long term jobs
• LMS BGZ 32994 - Stored in poor condition, long term job but indications are it is quite high up "the queue" for restortion
• BSK 34527 - Stored pending contract restoration. Not a CVR vehicle, will leave when complete
• BSK M35343/M35473 - In traffic
• LMS CCT M35289M/M37225M - Stored in poor condition, long term job. Former was for sale some time ago
• Saloon 45028 - Stored at Cheddleton, restoration progressed 3 years ago but was stopped in 2010. Issues regarding manpower and who is to finish the work (it is privately owned with various agreements applying to it) to be resolved
• Steam Heat Van 70185 - Stored in poor condition, long term job but indications are it is quite high up "the queue" for restortion
• Kitchen Car 80030 - In traffic (Dining train)
• BG 80960 - In use as stores van. Repainted last month and windows plated over following thefts
• BG 81114 - Stored, restoration started this year but currently having a break for winter as there isn't undercover space at present for this vehicle
• GUV W86197/E86828/93267/93470 - Stored
• GUV 86500 - Restored 2009-2012 and at Cheddleton. Just one or two jobs (to do with axleboxes) away from entering traffic
• Breakdown coach 975466 - Under restoration at Consall, restoration activities taking a break over winter
• Breakdown coaches 975487/975492/975493 - Stored

 

Thanks Chris for this very useful update. Just one query regarding coaching stock. You do not list Mark 1 RMB 1867-DB977725, any news about this?

 

This vehicle left the railway earlier this year so is no longer in our lists - location or fate I do not know unfortunately.

 

Thus the question to everyone. Does anyone know where Mark 1 RMB 1867 (later Departmental DB977725) is now located?

 

In addition to the LNWR Steam Breakdown Crane & Match Wagon (RS1020+284235) which we all know about, the Churnet Valley has also been donated a couple of wagons formerly in the National Collection. These are BR Bogie Bolster 996724 and LNER Tube Wagon 181358. Could I ask of Chris as to the current status of these? Also as the the current status of LMSR 6-whl Milk Tank 638-44000-041499 which I believe is also still at the Churnet Valley Railway.

Thanks

 

Thanks Chris it was the carriages mainly i was interested in but if you have the time to show the wagon statuses i wouldn't mind seeing them wasnt the rmb operational in 2006? and if so why would it require an extensive overhaul?
thanks
Patrick

 

Bogie Bolster 996724 is in operational condition, seen here participating in a photo charter (behind the 5 box vans). It is frequently used for holding bits & bobs and was recently employed in moving some rails around.

LNER Tube 181358 is also in reasonable condition but for some reason (unknown to me) has never been used in public demonstration freights. It was painted black and re-floored several years ago and has been a useful vehicle for holding a variety of spare parts from various loco restoration projects. I see it occasionally on different parts of the line proving that it is active in the sense that it runs around in various works trains.

Milk tank 638 is only connected with the CVR in the loosest sense. It was brought in as a contract job by an individual who hires some CVR facilities. It arrived in un-restored condition a few years ago and joined a restoration queue. As I understand it, this situation remains unchanged and it continues to be stored pending work.

 

The RMB was one of those Mk1's which whilst in service looked OK but (surprise surprise!) was hiding a multitude of sins, namely the bodywork along the bottom of the vehicle plus none existent end pillars (for those not in the know these are textbook Mk1 issues which aren't always that obvious until you pull them apart). When taken out of traffic the interior had to be fully stripped to gain full access and the bottom "skirt" was cut off ready for repairs.

Around this time there was a big ownership reshuffle within the CVR (don't really want to expand on this!) which resulted in the vehicle going into store whilst new owners/funding were being sorted out. Unfortunately by the time this was all concluded the weather and vandals had got to the vehicle making its revival a somewhat larger task than envisaged. Rest assured though that the vehicle is known within the railway to be the next Mk1 to be restored for use in the main passenger rake, and is now owned by NSRC (the CVR's supporting charity) which theoretically makes the vehicle's long term place more secure than private ownership.

As for wagons, I shall draft up a similar list to the coaches but it will be a few days before I get 5 mins spare to do it

 

By the way in case there's any confusion there were two RMB vehicles, 1867 was un-restored, was never operational on the CVR and has now departed. 1878 was the running example (up to 2006) and is the one which was stored and is retained on the line pending restoration.

 

As promised, my wagon summary:

• Box vans 200056, 200155, B230017, B230029, B230235, B230327 & B785811 are operational and used in demonstration freight trains.
• Box vans WGB4054 & M269460 are used as stores vehicles but are not in use in demonstration trains.
• Box vans B155046, B763092 & UID are stored awaiting restoration.
• Open B740791 is operational and used in demonstration freight trains.
• Opens MOD4709 & E181358 are operational but are not in use in demonstration trains.
• Opens B740140, B461051 & B461230 are stored awaiting restoration. The latter two were in use but now have no floors!
• Ballast hoppers DB983710, DB993363, DB993431, DB993545 are operational but are rarely seen in public. They have done one or two charters in the past 10 years but are usually used by Pway only.
• Tank 164490 is operational and used in demonstration freight trains.
• Tank 44000 is stored awaiting (contract) restoration.
• Bogie Bolster DB996724 is operational and used in demonstration freight trains.
• "Parrott" ADM3014, "Warflat" 8123, "Lowmac" M700724, "Flatrol" DB900113, "Crocodile" ADB901103, "Rectank" ADB909012 & Unidentified "Bogie Warwell" are all flat/well wagons of some description and are all fulfilling operational roles (i.e. carrying stuff!) but only a few have been repainted. None are used in demo freights.
• Brakevan 731970 is operational and used in demonstration freight trains.
• Brakevan B955095 is operational but had its body chopped off - it is used as a braked flat wagon which sprays weedkiller
• Brakevan DB993707 is currently undergoing a full restoration/rebuild (started in 2011) which will hopefully be completed in 2013. It is the only wagon currently under restoration.
• Brakevans 731945 & B953399 are stored awaiting restoration.
• There are also two grounded box van bodies and three "conflat" boxes.The former are used for storage, the latter are stored awaiting (contract) restoration.

 

after reading the latest post o the brcw website i think its truly amazing the standard of restorations and overhauls these days as due to the age of locos and rolling stock in this case they are getting less and less diy and more specialist and heavy engineering, instead of clean rust or rotten wood and painting its more nut and bold overhauls virtually returning whatever to factor fresh condition looking as good as new, so my hat goes off to you chaps at Cheddleton for what you have done and one day i hope to join you, when i can drive
many thanks
Patrick

 

Hi Chris, thank you for taking the time to publish the list of stock you have on the CVR. I know we would like to save everything that comes up, but I know that is not always possible, have you guys had any luck in finding any grounded NSR coach bodies yet?

 

No worries, glad to give info to those who are interested.

As far as I know, there's just the one NSR body at Cheddleton and the two at Foxfield surviving If they could all be restored and the Foxfield group realise their aim of building a new-build brake to complete their set it would make an excellent little vintage rake. This is just my personal opinion but I think the CVR's NSR body is a little out of context on its own amongst our Mk1's and mid 19th century steam and diesel locos! I think it could serve the preservation movement more effectively if it were to join the other two at Foxfield for them to run as a longer complete rake, then all of the NSR coaches would be running together, potentially as a four carriage set. Getting back to reality, the Foxfield seem to be doing very well with their NSR coach restoration since they got their funding and one went away for contract restoration.

 

We're always interested in new volunteers, so look forward to when you can join us!

 

Dear Chris
would it be possible for an update, if there is one on the carriages as i think 1 tso has been withdrawn and the bar car is being looked at?
thanks
Patrick

 

Patrick and others,

With you asking so nicely, I couldn't possibly refuse an update! I have decided to read through my original bullet pointed list that I posted on 17/12/12 and list any changes to circumstances below. Anything that is not mentioned below is still in the same situation as on the original list.

Cheers,
Chris

• Mk2 BSO 9390 - Restoration is still officially in progress but on the ground work has slowed. The vehicle was removed from the carriage shed in favour of more urgent work on M16155 and is now outside the carriage works sheeted over. Where possible, C&W volunteers have continued with minor work inside but as I said the current focus is M16155.
• Mk2 BFK M14123 - The contract work being undertaken at Oakamoor (for one reason or another) has not been fully concluded. This month the vehicle was transferred to Cheddleton and was sheeted over. As I understand it the vehicle is now temporarily stored whilst discussions with the owners on its future are in progress.
• CK M16155 - Withdrawn from traffic for some more serious bodywork repairs. Currently the main focus of the C&W department and inside the carriage shed. After stripping, two new ends to the coach were fitted, most of the window bottoms replaced and the "skirt" around the bottom of the vehicle also replaced. About a week ago the welding had been finished, readying the coach for the sanding/filling etc.
• SK M25891/E18832 - Further vandalism, metal thefts etc rendered these coaches beyond redemption and I believe they have been scrapped.
• LMS BGZ 32994 - In a surprise move the vehicle's owner has had the vehicle transferred to Cheddleton this month and contract restoration has begun immediately. Within a week one side of the metal panelling had been stripped but understandably this is the start of long journey!
• GUV W86500 - The restoration is now complete and the vehicle entered traffic in February 2013.
• Breakdown coach 975466 - Restoration has restarted after its winter break down at Consall.
• Breakdown coach 975493 - Following the incidents of thieving this is the next support vehicle to be resecured (after BG 80960). Whilst at Cheddleton the owning group have decided to undertake some body repairs (it will be shotblasted, the holes plated over and then sprayed to improve its appearance) as well as making the vehicle more secure.

 

A further update for both carriages and wagons. As before, if not mentioned in the list below, there has been no change in status for that vehicle.

• Mk2 BSO 9390 - Still waiting patiently in the yard for M16155's completion.
• Mk2 BFK M14123 - has now left the railway.
• CK M16155 - continues as the main carriage & wagon project. Work has recently focused on door overhaul and reconstructing much of the hardwood flooring, which was beyond redemption in many places such as around door openings and the vehicle ends.
• LMS BGZ 32994 - restoration work has been progressing at a fast rate. The body is now down to a wooden frame and has been lifted from the chassis and is currently undercover receiving the myriad of wood repairs to the frame which is to be expected for a project such as this. Meanwhile the chassis has been completely stripped of anything which can be removed (even the battery box frames!) and has been shot blasted and primed. Welding repairs to wasted materials is now in progress.
• Breakdown coach 975493 - has now been shotblasted and primed. Body repairs to the exposed corroded areas is currently in progress as well as much work to make the doors as anti-theft proof as humanly possible

• Brakevan B955095 has been scrapped.
• Brakevan DB993707 is approaching the end of its rebuild. Only window fitting, finishing pieces fitting, new canvas and final repainting/lettering still to complete.

 

Chris, do you or does anyone else, have any knowledge of where M14123 is now located or when it left the railway. I usually get to know about most carriage moves but this one has slipped under my radar.

It may or may not be connected but visitors to the recent Tyseley open weekend report two unidentified tarpaulined over Mark 2's in the high level sidings in addition to what was expected to be present. Could one of those be M14123 perhaps.

 

If you can post an image of the Tyseley vehicles I may be able to identify the vehicle from an image I took shortly before it left. Sadly I'm not sure where it went...