Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

Is that an old address? if you google Churnet Valley Railway you get https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/ or the support charity at https://www.nsrailway.co.uk/

 

I just received an email stating that the address I was using was the old address, and they are now using the version without hyphens i.e. the one you have linked to. I'd better go change my links.
Wonder why they didn't simply put a redirection in place from the old address.

 

It would make a lot of sense if they were to - I get the same (very unhelpful) message from the old site, and the new works fine.

 

Possibly they have both domains linked to the same webserver (which would explain why the old domain has apparently been getting updated exactly the same as the new one) and therefore cannot put a redirection in place as it would create a circular redirection!
I can only guess that they have a new security system that does not recognise the older domain as valid, and hence labels anything attempting to access the web server via that domain name as bogus.

 

Todays work getting the first sleepers down at what will become the new Leek station, followed by getting the first rail down and clipped in.

 

More progress in a few days this week

 

Good work guys

 

I hope to see a loco and carriages at the new platform before Christmas

 

Is the turnaround and water tower still getting installed?

Thanks for the updates please keep them coming. It seems like lots was accomplished in a few days. It’s a shame there’s no nearby close up access. But well done to you all, you’re really making history again.

 

The new water tower at Chedd was installed some time ago. The line through platform 2 has recently been extended so that it now stops at the old water tower. This gives enough track to stable a full rake of coaches. I believe the old water tower is due to come down at some point soon and a loop created at Chedd

 

Cheers, I meant at leek though. The planning shows a water tower and a runaround.

 

I think the focus is on getting the track and platform done first.

 

Doesn’t look far off! Outstanding progress

 

I joined CVR's pway gang because I wanted to lay track into Leek. I haven't been as involved as I would have liked but even so, I'm chuffed to have done a bit of it.

Run round loop and head shunt is for another day. For now, after some jacking and packing and ballasting etc, it's time to celebrate.

 

The track is all installed and 33102 got all the way to the Leek buffer stop yesterday. Still some ballasting and track fettling to do but the rails are all done. The platform comes next.

 

More work at Leek. Today jacking and packing - one of the more physical jobs, but essential to give the locos and passengers a smooth ride. This leaves the leek extension almost finished. Still a few fishplates to sort out and then some ballast needed and of course the platform.

 

You weren’t joking when you said Christmas!

Superb efforts by all involved

 

From CVR Facebook page ….

‼ EXCITING NEWS: Introducing Heritage Open Days at the Railway!

We are thrilled to unveil our Heritage Open Days 2025 programme, featuring an exciting new event that marks a significant milestone in our journey—the opening of the Leekbrook Triangle and a visit to the future site of the highly anticipated Leek Station!

We invite you to join us for this historic event and be part of the journey as we bring the vision of Leek Station to life.

BOOK TICKETS: https://bit.ly/CVRHeritageOpenDays

Read more about this significant milestone:

This remarkable achievement has only been made possible through generous support, including a substantial grant from the European Agricultural Regional Development Fund, alongside contributions from individuals and esteemed organisations like the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Bamford Charitable Foundation, The Headley Trust and many more.

The completion of Leekbrook Triangle is revolutionary for the Railway, giving us the capability to easily turn vehicles and reinstalling vital infrastructure, including a fully functional railhead at the future Leek Station site. This addition significantly enhances our operational capabilities and brings us one step closer to restoring this historic line.

Witness Phase One of this exciting project and explore the progress we've made as we embark on Phase Two, which will focus on finalising specifications and securing funding for the construction of Leek Station.

 

Big day yesterday as we ran the first passenger train to the new terminus at Leek. The train carried volunteers, supporters and press, loaded to eight coaches headed by S160 and tailed by a 33. The train ran from Froghall to Leek, then to Apesford via the newly relaid N-E leg of the triangle, back via the E-S side, then back again to Leek before returning to Froghall.

A memorable event, well organised and a fitting reward to all who played a part in getting there. There’s plenty more still to do, phase 2 will involve the station with new access roads and car park.

Until this is completed there is no regular service or public access to the site, but if you wish to travel over the extension you can join one of the heritage tours, see link in previous post.

 

I’ve been following all the updates on social media and it’s a fantastic achievement that hopefully unlocks all the necessary funding.

Does phase 1 include the runaround loop and wooden platform? And is there a timeline for those items?

It seems a real shame if more waiting may be involved, given all the positive press and goodwill coming CVRs way, they can’t get a “makeshift” implementation in place to serve passengers. i.e. a temporary building as a ticket office and gravel covered car park.

As this could really help “promote” any fundraising and/or volunteering required for a permanent building which could be years away.