Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

It is certainly 73405 closest to where we were working. The engine was running today (cough) - trying to see what needed attention before it can be set to work.

 

I can't remember if this has been posted on this thread but there'll be a special event to celebrate laying the first stretch of the Leek extension this coming Fri (11th).

Six panels made up last week, two more to come this coming week and then the PWay Institute doing the laying of the panels.

Plenty going on and more to come too....

https://reconnectleek.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR3Tf1vQ_i2Y6lJYN02YQjJnPOeTAS_p40hRDHWIdVaUNMp3qaCcSd2rWaU

 

More work today making up the last couple of panels for installation later this week at Leekbrook.

 

I don't want to steal the thunder of those working on CVR, but a report on the "Reconnect to Leek" activities, along with a couple of videos, has been posted on the CVR website.

https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co...-railway-complete-phase-one-to-reconnect-leek

Huge congratulations to all involved.

Was the point to the Cauldon branch replaced as part of this work, or had it already been replaced as part of the reopening of the Cauldon branch?

 

It the original BR Point, that's still good for what we plan on operating with.

Watch out for 2020 dates, when the Leek stub will be used for selected promotion event of Reconnect Leek.

 

What prospects does the CVR have for expanding its steam fleet? I would imagine a run to Leek could involve expanding the timetable and requiring more operational locos. It's got the two S160s, but they're often in demand for Galas. There's the Polish tank, how well does that cope with what's asked of it? And they've got an 8F under restoration haven't they? Is that enough or would they need more?

 

So operational we have 2x S160s (5197 + 6046) and 1x TKh (2944). The TKh has proved capable of handling 7x coach trains along the CVR, and with Leek being less than a mile of an extension this would prove no big issue. Predominantly we operate a 1x train service, so having 2x locos is best - 1x tank to operate the CVR only service and 1x tender to operate the Ipstones service meaning we don't need to have diesel assistance.

After that, the 8F (48173) is under restoration and will join the Batt Holden fleet who give us good support throughout the year.
There is a second TKh (2871) awaiting funds for restoration also, though the boiler is being restored to swap with 2944 when needed in the short term.

Biggest issue is coaches, we only have 7x non dining coaches and in the high season we will probably need a 2x train TT. We are currently working on this - we have 1x unrestored SO, 1x TSO under negotiations and will be looking for a third vehicle to give us 2x 5x coach rakes eventually. An appeal has been launched internally that's been surprisingly successful so far. Once I've got a few other things in place I'll be making this appeal public.

3-4x locos should see us through a busy summer season (2x operating, 1x washout, 1x maintenance) and with this in mind members of the MPD are actively seeking to enhance the fleet. When this will happen, and with what, we can only speculate at the current time.

 

And that's not to say if there's any loco owner out there looking for a new base to not get in touch. We are just being proactive in trying to ensure our long term viability, rather than sit waiting for something to happen.

 

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Seems a shame 4422, 80136 and austerity 68030 are no longer resident

 

Since someone brought up the 4F... I had the pleasure of riding behind it several years ago, wonderful engine. Would be great to see it back in action, wherever that may be.

 

Bearing in mind that on companies House 44422s two current officers as of the 15th June 2019 are now based at Ched, its safe to assume that she will be returning to the CVR at some point.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/06772194/officers

 

Looks to be a recent change that I wasn't aware of - good spot.

lil bear said something about speculation - well, it's already started!

 

One of the names (and occupation) looks very familiar from a certain TV program shown earlier in the year....

 

I have a feeling we won't see the 4F at the Moors!

 

I wouldn't take too much notice of the correspondence address.

You could even speculate that it might go to another railway, then.

 

3/4 locos that said TV personality (when will we see the first NYMR "personality appear on Celebrity [insert programme of choice here]?????) worked on when he was at Crewe are now based on the NYMR. Even though 44422 is, on the face of it, not a suitable engine for the NYMR, there is an ambition in some circles to have a hire fleet, and 44422 could be a suitable engine to form the nucleus of that.

 

1264, 80136 & 92134?

 

Am I completely imagining things or was 44422 recently restored and started operation on the WSR a few years ago? What happened there?

 

I seem to recall that 44422 needs some repair and that, with WSR realising they needed to save money, 44422 then became no longer part of the WSR's future plans

 

I understand the agreement with the WSR was described by the WSR as 'not fit for purpose'

Jon