Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

4277 running this Wednesday.

 

This just popped up on the Leek Post & Times website - progress update on the planning for the return to Leek..... and they said it couldn't be done! But they didn't bargain with Sybil Ralphs, Boadicea of the Moorlands, and passionate supporter of the railway!

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/local-news/rail-plan-moves-further-down-810305

So this implies a formal planning application goes in Dec / Jan maybe approval early next year (yes I know that's a maybe, possibly a big maybe).... then who knows....

I wonder if Sybil would be up for riding the first train into Leek on the front of a loco, whilst dressed as Britannia (ooh yes, a nod to the Building Society that was....)

 

Photos from last weekends Santa trains with 4277 now online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/albums/72157663308631548

 

Nice photos. Is the class 33 'assisting' or just top and tailing to return the train to Froghall?

 

That depends who you ask. Any of the 33 drivers will tell you it's assisting, most of the steam drivers will tell you it isn't!!

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Think if it's just regular trains the crompton might give a gentle nudge or a bit of a shove I.E. if it's wet or the rails are a bit slippy.

However when i've visited before & their running a train up the cauldon lowe branch I think because of it being so steeply graded the crompton usually seems to give the steamer a shove most of the way up. It'll be great to have either of 47524 or 20057 slogging their way up the churnet valley again, both should prove fairly popular with the local diesel bashers meself included.

 

On a more serious note than my previous post there are guidelines and arrangements for drivers and a clear understanding of what will be done is reached, it isn't random.

We have on occasion had "weak" or small steam engines in use and the 33 is required to assist, particularly going up the bank, in a big way. The steam is effectively there as a cosmetic showpiece and braking controller. This is purely to protect the loco, nobody wants to strain a steam loco just for 10 minutes of fun!

The most common way of working (i would say) is for the 33 to just give a tickle to take its own weight but not really to push the train. The steam loco then behaves like the diesel isn't there which of course gives the lead crew the best levels of controlability. At a guess I would say that was most likely the arrangement in use for all the top and tail Santa trains. When this working is in place, the 33 only powers hard on the ascent of the bank when it's obvious the lead loco is struggling, i.e. slipping or gradual loss of momentum.

Finally, on special occasions and when the loco is capable (I'm talking S160's here!) the 33 just gets pulled along for the ride!

The above is not just observed waffle, it's what we (the diesel crews) are asked to do at the start of any given shift. Hopefully it gives a bit of an insight and adds to the discussion

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Lovely photographs in what is a very petty part of Staffordshire. It was interesting to see 4277, in the black BR livery, running somewhere else for a change, than the Kingswear Branch.

 

Sorry to go slightly off topic here but regarding the CVR diesel fleet how's the appeal coming along to restore the steam heat coach? I know that's the only way the diesels could work solo during the winter months which would be really good as it can't happen ATM without a steam loco on the other end.

 

At the risk of stirring up a can of worms, is there a need for diesels working solo during the winter months? For Santa Specials at least, a big part of the attraction for the general public is seeing Santa on a Steam train, and most railways (I'm presuming the CVR is the same) will close during some of or all of the winter months due to low passenger numbers and to give an opportunity for maintenance to be done on track, locos and stock. The main attraction for being able to run diesel only in winter, to me at least, seems to be a winter diesel gala, which would, if two train running was desired, would need two steam heat coaches, further increasing the work that would need to go into it for potentially very limited return. Although of course, this is coming from a steam buff, who may well have missed things. I would be interested to hear a diesel enthusiast's case for it

 

I will be honest and go for "i've no idea" as an answer. I've not actually been on the railway since June, and I have heard nothing concerning this vehicle. I don't think it's particularly high on any agendas, but I'm happy to be proved wrong on that one.

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Some background in this news item: https://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/nsrc1115

"removing the need for 24-hour cover over the Santa period, as well enabling the NSRC’s own 33102 to operate services solo in the winter months as this loco has no steam heat facility" would appear to be the most relevant bits.

Iirc, the requirement arose out of the disruption caused by the bitterly cold weather at the Cauldon Lowe Reopening Diesel Gala back in November 2010. Temperatures got down to -13C in places and some parts of the valley get no direct sunlight at this time of year. Everything froze, including me.

 

I think the option of the diesels being able to work solo would have it's advantages.

There's the local diesel bashers who'd enjoy a diesel running day, possibility of some extra revenue. Also for a winter diesel gala the steam heat van would come in handy. Plus for smaller or weaker steam locos it would come in useful, small locos sometimes struggle to provide heat while needing the required pressure to haul a train.

On an aside note, last time I visited 33021s cab & bodywork repairs seemed to be progressing brilliantly, looks to be a top notch job.

 

Thanks for the answer chaps. Knew my steam-centred mind wouldn't see the full picture

 

Afternoon,

Photos online from last Wed's Santa Trains along a snowy CVR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/albums/72157691171418385

 

Beautiful photos Frank, thanks for sharing, was hoping some snowy scenes might pop up!

 

Beginning the work to get to Leek. Preliminary look at the trackbed from Leebrook Junction to Leek today mainly to see what trees and vegetation will have to be extracted to make way for the line. Overall not as bad as it could be with no huge trees in the way and only a few dozen large ones. Hopefully a flail will get rid of a lot of the small stuff.

 

Video from today of 4277 at work on the Ipstones branch.

 

Good to see 4277 at work, thanks for the video. You were rather fortunate it seems that the line was not closed due to snow and ice as some central England railways were - and still are it seems.

 

Photos from Wednesday's Winter Warmers with 4277, dull morning but the sun came out in force for the last train!!: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/albums/72157662071938627