Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

Jason is one of only 32 pubs nationally to have been selected for the Carlsberg Euro2016 stuff. Not quite sure what it gets him, but things should be returned to normal in time for Rail Ale Trail.

 

So normal service should be resumed soon...... phew.

 

Evening all,

Photos from today's (23/5/16) service trains with 2944: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/albums/72157666462352853

 

OAPway update - sorry for the lack of news over the past month - not a lot being done worth taking photos of. Today was weedkilling and painting mileposts between Leekbrook and Chedd. The other bit of interest was the work being done to widen the river adjacent to the station which will hopefully keep the water further away from the line in times of floods.

 

Evening all

Photos from today's (11/6) Ipstones running with 2944/33102 are online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/sets/72157666985126993

 

Couple of news items of interest

https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/tripadvisor2016

https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/moorlander2016

 

Afternoon All,

Photographs from last weekends Anything Goes weekend are now online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/albums/72157670304413446

 

I just wanted to mention here that a relative and I had a very pleasant evening last week on the supper train, enjoying a sausage and mash supper followed by cheesecake, all of which was very tasty, well presented and served by very friendly staff. All highly recommended!

2944 did the honours but had to come off just before we got back to Cheddleton for the first time, with what I heard was a steam leak in the cab. Hope it was soon sorted!

I have to admit to not taking much notice of the stock, presumably the dining car was the newly restored coach mentioned above; 4779 "Diana".

Anyone know for sure?

 

My video from the Anything Goes Weekend.

 

Dining car was "Diana", and 2944 was back in service for Saturday

 

Rail Ale Trail starts this evening.

£6 for a evening rover, offering 6x return trips along CVR behind 33102.

Then a 2x train service tomorrow with 2944 and 33102, followed by an evening service once agin hauled by 33102.
Tickets £14 on the day, with tickets bought after 5pm being £6.

Sunday is then just the 2x train service with 2944 and 33102.

Full details, and beer list on link below;

https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/event/719/rail-ale-trail-8th-july

 

An appeal that's been running internally for about 18 months now has been made public, in order to try and complete the vehicle's restoration.

If people can help raise the final £500, we would be most appreciated.

http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/parrot

So long as the bogies to provide any hidden nasties, I'd like to see the vehicle restored for next March and running for the Volunteer Open Day in another Military Goods Train. Could even look into a charter to have 2x S160s haul the military goods if there's interest!

 

That would peak my interest!

 

If people can help get this vehicle restored my idea of WW2 Goods Train will draw nearer. I've got ideas for the 2x medfits, there's another ex- MOD Flat Wagon, a ex-MOD open and a Pallet Van. Add to the Bogie B, Tank Carrier and Parrot there's potential for a decent set. There is also a few well wagons hidden away but there needs to be a good number of projects finished before I can access them!

 

Forms now available for downloading for our annual 40s weekend
https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/witv2016

 

I just saw this article on the Leek Post and Times website, looks like the Council are keen to go ahead with the developments around Cornhill and the Barnfields / Hughes Concrete site.

http://www.leek-news.co.uk/proposed...tion-process/story-29502784-detail/story.html

Enjoy!

 

Evening all,

Shots from the past few weeks at CVR now online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/albums/72157671858843335 Mostly 33102 doing the honors...

 

Evening all,

Photographs from Saturdays Ipstones Trains & Roger H B memorial train are now online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/albums/72157669156457053

 

GINS & TRAINS this weekend, the CVR's first ever Gin Festival
https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/event/788/gins-trains

Knotty 112 is now available for purchase
http://shop.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/knotty-magazine-173-p.asp

As is the newly updated souvenir guide book!
http://shop.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/churnet-valley-railway-souvenir-guide-146-p.asp

The Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership has now ended in terms of the railway's involvement
https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/cvllp0816

Volunteers are still sought for numerous roles around the railway
https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/become-a-volunteer

NSRC Projects are still fundraising
http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/north-staffordshire-railway-company-1978-ltd

68030 and 2871 boilers have both been lifted, with work now ongoing ahead of a planned visit from the insurers in September.

5197 overhaul continues as well.

 

Went to visit the Churnet Valley line on Saturday, when the little Polish tank was running. I do hope they get her some back-up soon, as the valve timing sounds way off the mark. When she's running on small reg. openings, two of the beats are so soft as to be inaudible, and she sounds like a single cylinder machine; when she's pulling hard, she sounds like a rather knackered Super D - "Chuff, CHUFF, chuff, ffff . . . "

But it's a remarkable feature about steam locos that, even when in suffering such drastic problems, they do still keep plodding on, don't they?

But a good visit, all the same. The people there have obviously put a lot of effort into making first impressions welcoming and attractive, all the staff I spoke to were friendly and helpful, and were all willing to 'go the extra mile' to give visitors a good time out. The tea rooms were another plus; spotlessly clean, and very friendly staff. This should be the case on all lines, but - sadly - sometimes is not. It can't be easy getting the right staff with the right attitude for refreshment rooms, as most (if not all) will be hired in staff, who won't necessarily have the same commitment as you might hope for from volunteers - but you couldn't fault those at the CVR today.

Oh, and sheer bliss - when I asked one young lady if the ham salad roll had mayonnaise in it, she smiled and said "No."

Once upon a time I could tolerate mayo; not a favourite, but I could live with it. But now, I can't even stand the smell of the stuff! It seems like every sandwich maker in the country owns shares in Helleman's, and they slap the stuff into everything they make with a brickie's trowel. Once I was involved in a graduation ceremony at Winchester Cathedral, and had to stay in the place all day. The girl who took our sandwich orders down to the local sarnie shop had my order, written in great block letters; "Plain turkey on granary bap - NO MAYO!!"

So what did I get? Yep; turkey on granary bap, absolutely SMOTHERED in ******* mayo . . .

I swear, if you went into one of those places and asked for a jam sandwich, if you didn't stop them, they'd ladle mayo into that, too . . .

But my visit to the CVR was good. Like Big Arnie says, "I'll be back . . . " !

Jack