Churnet Valley photo guide

As no-one appears to have done a photo guide to the Churnet Valley yet I thought I’d have a go. All photos are from my website http://www.steampics.com.
All these locations are accessed from public areas, as the CVR does not issue lineside permits.
Starting at Kingsley & Froghall station, the road bridge is a good spot for a view of the whole station –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr248.html
Shots of engines running round at Froghall can be taken from the end of the platform or the car park –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr246.html
Trains leaving Froghall can be photographed from the embankment in front of the railway cottages opposite the station entrance –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr101.html,
but this depends on whether the vegetation has been cut back or not. Between Froghall and Consall there are not many good spots as the line is obscured by trees most of the way, the best is probably the foot crossing at Consall Mill. Follow the canal towpath south from Consall station and after about half a mile there is a bridge over the canal which leads to a crossing. Both northbound –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr204a.html
and southbound trains –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr092.html
can be photographed from here.
At Consall station itself, approaching northbound trains can be photographed from the end of the down platform -
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr126.html
and southbound trains from the north end of either platform –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr175.html.
This brings us to the Black Lion, Consall, in my opinion one of the best photographic locations anywhere. From the front of the pub, northbound trains can be photographed from the station all the way to the crossing -
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr120.html,
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr194.html,
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr083.html.
The long passing loop at Consall, which extends all the way past the pub, gives the impression of double track here.This location is best in the morning but I have had some good results in the afternoon, particularly if the sun is not too bright. Afternoon shots can also be taken from the opposite side of the line here from the canal bridge –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr229.html,
or even from the pub car park which is on the far side of the river -
http://www.steampics.com/cvr019.htm.
Consall is best accessed by train, especially during gala events as parking is limited and unless you know the area it is difficult to find by road.
North of Consall the line runs right alongside the canal for about the first half mile, unfortunately there are large trees between the railway and canal which prevent a clear view. Further towards Cheddleton the line and canal are further apart but the fields by the line are inaccessible because of the river. The next good spot is just south of Cheddleton station, where the canal towpath gives access to a field between the river and canal -
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr242.html.
This location is best in the afternoon. At Cheddleton station, the path which runs alongside the bay platform is worth a look, in the winter some dramatic backlit shots can be taken from here –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr197.html.
South facing engines can be photographed leaving the station from a spot by the loco shed -
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr147.html,
or from a field which is accessible by climbing over a gate from the car park by the shed -
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr072.html.
Also for south facing engines, the road crossing at Cheddleton is useful –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr144.html.
North of Cheddleton there is a field accessible through a stile off Station Road, where photos of trains approaching the tunnel can be taken –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr102.html.
Finally, the end of the line at Leekbrook. There is no station here, but access by road is possible from the A520 Leek road, travelling towards Leek there is a track on the left just past the railway bridge which doubles back on the road and leads to a gated crossing from where various shots are possible –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr117.html,
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr067.html, and
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr079.html.
From the road bridge itself, it is possible to photograph trains leaving the tunnel,-
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr234.html,
and from the other side, leaving the loop to run back to Cheddleton –
http://www.steampics.com/cvr010.htm.
Well that’s it, I hope this will be useful to my fellow photographers, and if anyone knows of locations I’ve missed, please feel free to add them.

Tim.

 

Cheers for that Tim,

Admin can you add it to the stickys at the top of the forum please

 

Great guide, used it at the weekend. I took a few print outs with me, proved most useful. There where some other people who where evidently on their first visit, they where very impressed.

Thanks for taking the time to do it Tim.

 

Glad you found it useful Matt !

 

OK, as it is nearly gala time and as the CVR now issues lineside passes for special events I thought I’d update this guide with a few lineside shots.

Starting from Froghall, just outside the station –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr412.html . Shots of trains leaving can also be got from here.

A little further on at Bolton’s works, for trains approaching Froghall –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr411.html and leaving –
http://www.davegibsonphotography.co.uk/Churnet Valley Railway/Steam/CVR_1983.jpg

Also at Bolton’s –
http://www.davegibsonphotography.co.uk/Churnet Valley Railway/Steam/CVR_1978.jpg

Cherry Eye Bridge, between Froghall and Consall –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr252.html This was actually taken from outside the fence after climbing up the embankment but is much easier from the lineside.

Just south of Consall station, by the railway cottages –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr415.html , and in the other direction –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr417.html

Just north of the Black Lion crossing –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr405.html and a little way further north is a good spot for southbound trains –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr404.html

About half a mile north of consall is a small field between the railway and canal that can only be accessed from the line –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr402.html

Just north of the previous spot for southbound trains –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr401.html

South of Cheddleton station there is a good spot for shots in both directions –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr395.html
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr399.html

Cheddleton MPD has some possibilities –
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr396.html
http://www.steampics.com/html/cvr394.html

Finally there are some good ones between Cheddleton and the tunnel –
http://www.davegibsonphotography.co.uk/Churnet Valley Railway/Steam/CVR_1874.jpg
http://www.davegibsonphotography.co.uk/Churnet Valley Railway/Steam/CVR_2194.jpg
http://www.davegibsonphotography.co.uk/Churnet Valley Railway/Steam/CVR_2189.jpg

As ever, please feel free to add to these.
Remember if you go onto the lineside you MUST be in possession of a valid lineside pass.

Tim.

 

Some photos with Google Earth co-ordinates. (Long/Lat)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66957213@N00/sets/72157632853971619/

Steam Gala - 22/04/2014.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66957213@N00/sets/72157641375765945/

 

I've tried my best to compile a Youtube Playlist of the journey from Froghall to Consall. Not all locations feature but hopefully it's of use;

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdJG_U1l3qvDgioyVXKhPIyIfVphc8oFB

 

Most of these links no longer work.
I plan to attend the winter gala and i want to know where the best locations for filming, public access.

 

Are you using the train and wanting walkable spots, or are you wanting to drive to some locations as well?

 

Can I ask does the CVR issue lineside permits any more, if so how can I purchase one?

Thanks

 

Not any more I'm afraid. We have slowly reduced the vegetation in some locations though, and opened up sections alongside the canal.

 

ok no problem, thanks for the advice

 

Looking for public access spot for filming/photography along the line for the gala

 

Public access is good at both Consall and Cheddleton whilst up the bank to Ipstones the main choices are at Bradnop and Apeford Crossing. I can advise further if you send a PPM and advise if you are using car during your visit. I also suggest looking at the above list from Tim Corwen (above) to see if any locations suit your needs before visit.