Churnet Valley Railway Gala 4th - 6th May 2024 Featuring 75014 & Pendennis Castle

The Castle has arrived today

 

Two departures from Consall
https://youtu.be/fRQ68BHeTDs

 

A very enjoyable day yesterday, 10 years since my last visit, I shall certainly make sure it won't be as long again.

Considering I imagine everyone was a bit out of practise for something like a gala I thought it went very well. The timetable slipped a bit but nothing too bad, it seemed to be a couple timings on each cycle that were the problem, no doubt easily addressed in the future. Given I presume 2 sets is all that can be marshalled/signalled it was a good balance of trains going up to Ipstones and not too long waits on the valley line. The coaches all looked to be in good condition, staff were friendly, and the cafe at Froghall served a very tasty bacon and sausage bap and carrot cake. I also really liked the interpretation boards at Froghall about the local industry, that was just the right level. I always have a soft spot for anything North Staffs railway and the stations were looking good, inside and out. The Std 4 looked very at home on the line, and the Castle sounded great going up to Ipstones!

A few minor points that may have good reasons against but struck me. It wasn't entirely clear to me why platform 2 at Froghall seemed to be out of bounds given people were trusted to cross the line at Cheddleton and Consall with someone around to keep an eye on things. During the loco layover at Cheddleton I think it would have been appreciated if the loco waited in the bay rather than just out of reach in the yard. The non-stops through Cheddleton to Leekbrook before coming back for the loco change made sense operationally, but it caught quite a few people out, a small note on the timetable would have been appreciated. On a previous visit I dimly remember a little museum of Knotty bits and pieces in one of the rooms at Cheddleton, what's happened to that? And I'm sure that it's the only practical place, but it's a shame the waiting shelter at Cheddleton was filled with carriage seats, it would be a good spot to have a few more interpretation boards as at Froghall to pass the time.

Anyway, overall a very good visit, the , hearty thanks to everyone involved in putting it on. I hope it's successful enough to repeat and I look forward to future developments, it's always clear to me when I visit how much more potential the railway has with a bit more signalling and rolling stock.

 

I was torn between WSR and CVR yesterday, both about equal distance from home by public transport, but plumped for the CVR as I'd only been once before (and never for a gala).

Seemed to be well patronised, especially on the trains going to Ipstones. Nobody standing (except at windows) but every bay filled. The shorter trains seemed to have quite a lot of space all day.

For the 1200 departure with Pendennis Castle, lots of people jumped on the front coach as soon as the train arrived in order to get the best spots for the climb, only for another coach to be shunted onto the front before departure. (Yours truly had seen the shunting take place and managed to nab a spot in the 'new' front coach! :-D)

Fair to say the climbs to Ipstones were very noisy from both the Castle and the double-headed S160s.
The Castle kept a steady but fairly sedate pace (well done to the footplate crew), whereas the S160s romped up it almost like it wasn't there!

As mentioned above, the timetable did slip about 25-30mins, but not bad by Gala standards.
There seemed to be long waits outside Consall and Leekbrook, and there were a team of people in hi-vis around the signals whenever we passed Consall, so maybe some sort of issue there.

I did like the fact there was a proper trolley at-seat service on the trains, with the option to order hot baps to your seat as well. Meant less time spent queuing for food/drink at each end.

It is unfortunate there is nowhere to alight north of Cheddleton at the moment, it does make it difficult to both travel and photograph. Hopefully when the extension to Leek opens, it'll feel like more of a 'somewhere to somewhere' railway.

Sadly my going-home plan didn't work out as well as I'd hoped. CrossCountry cancelled the last train from Stoke to Banbury, so rushed for the bus at Cheddleton which would connect with the previous train, only for it not to show up!
Had to fork out £20 for an Uber to make sure I made the train! If I'd known I could've spent a bit more time hanging around and got a few more photos!
Also glad I got cheap SeatFrog upgrades in both directions... the train home had people sitting on the floor in Standard!

 

Good to hear you enjoyed your visit Alex. To answer a couple of your queries:

We only have 2x serviceable BSKs currently which restricts what we can do. There is a TT we can use that enables 3x sets to be used but as this was our first gala in 5 years we played it cautiously.

The timetable slipped Saturday due to a steam heat / brake hose fault, which we never fully recovered from until the evening when the last train arrived home 1-min late!

Froghall P2 was shut off as when the 7-coach set was in the station it sits over the crossing. Therefore to prevent anyone being “trapped” we restrict access in the first place.

Locos went to the yard to be watered, as there is no watering facilities of sufficient capacity in the bay and Froghall can’t keep up with 4x tender locos.

Cheddleton we are awaiting the outcome of our planning application for the new archive/museum building. The old museum is now the shop, allowing the original booking office to become an interpretive museum - which we are in the process of adjusting.

You’ll have notice a lot of work has been completed at Cheddleton: new yard entrance/exit signalling scheme, embankment repairs, stock siding extension. Slowly but surely we’re getting there

 

Two departures from Consall on Saturday on the uphill to the Black Lion
https://youtu.be/fRQ68BHeTDs

 

Some footage from the Steam Gala over the Bank Holiday weekend, with 75014 'Braveheart' and 4079 'Pendennis Castle'.



First time visit to the line for me, but left very impressed considering this was the first gala for the CVR since 2019. Will certainly have to make a return visit sometime in the future!