Moorlands and City Railway

Hi p/wayman! good pics Dad! Handsome devil on the right in pic 4 eh?good day had, cant wait for the next jaunt up the moorlands

 

They seemed to have had a good day up at Cauldon today, apart from a few showers.The redundant trap was removed was removed from the main line, the points slightly realigned, most of the fishplate holes in the rails done until the broaching machine failed, will be finished tomorrow as will the lever frame. Tree stumps were removed from between the rails and every thing checked out, Will miss working up there for a while but there's plenty of work elsewhere to keep us going.

 

Started replacing crossing timbers and sleepers on the mainline today at Cheddleton, mixed day with the weather. We uncovered all the 4 crossing gate wells that had been filled in with all kinds of rubble, all the levers and chains were still in stitu but of course were well seized up. The trackbed was leveled, ballast leveled, concrete sleepers layed and rails put in. Tomorrow will be ballasted ,tamped and siding timbers replaced, the sleepers there are already concrete. Good luck to the gang tomorrow hope the weather is kinder.

 

why hasnt cheddleton ever had the loop re-instated?

 

Back in BR Days there was a landslip just south of the end of the platforms of Cheddleton station, rendering the down (loop) trackbed unsuitable for trains. By that time, the line was single and didn't affect the main (Up) line still in situ for sand trains.

When the CVR started operating, as you probably know Cheddleton was only a "true terminus" for the first two years, becoming a through station after that. Therefore the down line/loop has been a "would be nice" project rather than a "critical for continued operation" project. When the time comes (which I'm confident it will) like all landslips I would speculate that it won't be a cheap fix.

I believe some preliminary/survey kind of tests have already been undertaken.

 

I am glad that tests have been undertaken!

It's good to hear that the Moorlands & City Railway are still plodding on with the Stoke Extension.

But as with all things - Will take time to complete, But an exciting project none the less!!

 

If the speed of the Cauldon Branch ressurection is anything to go by, I'm not sure "plodding" is the best word!

 

looks better with concrete sleepers in to start with!!,keep up the good work!!!!!

 

At least it we get rid of the bounce over the crossing in Cheddleton. Matlock is looking good, best of luck with that Dom.

 

Didn't even know that Cheddleton Crossing had a bounce in it???

I am sure every time I have gone over it - it has been no problem

Unless this has been a recent problem - that has happened???

 

There has been a bounce on the rail for a while, the heavier loco crews feel but I suppose the lightweight DMUs might not feel it as much. Also when cars or trucks went over the crossing timbers bounced so action was taken as soon as we could. Fortunately the Gas board were putting in a pipe by the canal bridge so we have done this on their backs while the road was closed.

 

Oh I see...

Thats good that they are getting the problem sorted!

Least now that will hopefully sort the problem out permanently???

But with all things we will wait & see and see what happens next!!

 

Phew, It looked a close thing on the crossing but judging by the CVR webcam it should be all systems go for the bank holiday.Well done to all those who dug out and rebricked the crossing post wells, some day when funds allow and the mechanical gates go in your efforts will not be forgotten.

 

Looks great on the webcam, will be inspecting on Sunday but I'm sure its a credit to all involved!

Was fascinating seeing the circular brick wells, temporarily covered over now I presume?

 

Yes buried until required,it will be interesting to see what our next major job is, there are so many irons in the fire now. A great time to be on the p/way,there is a volunteer week starting next Wednesday all are welcome to see what we have to offer.

 

Nice quiet day today, did a bit of tidying up on the Cauldon line in the morning, changed some ferrules,fishplate bolts and chair screws. Walked down to where the old Waterhouses line branched off found some of the foundations of the old signalbox were. Went under the bridge but the track bed was so overgrown with trees we could not venture very far.In the afternoon did a few jobs at Leek Brook including 4 broken chairs,these are difficult to see as the crack right along a casting line and the only way to detect these are to tap them with a key hammer or fishplate spanner. The weather was beautiful, this is the time of year to be a p/wayman.

 

i have a red face from all the son

 

For latest CVR/MCR pics click the link to see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/
Enjoy!

Ta.

 

I'm hoping to come and visit on Saturday - we're staying with friends about 8 miles away. With any luck we'll be riding behiind 5199 up to Cauldon Low. Just got to brush up on my persuasion skills now......

 

When its steam to Cauldon Lowe what takes the normal timetable services?