Moorlands and City Railway

I think many people were stunned by the speed at which the Cauldon Lowe - Leekbrook section was readied for heritage running. It was evidence of investment at a level most heritage railways can only dream of. The next "proof of the pudding" will be how fast they can progress towards Stoke. But the real make or break part of the project is then upgrading to handle heavy freight. If they can do that on schedule, then money flows in to pay off part of the loans while financing further sections. Anyone at Weardale will tell you that freight revenue is the key to heritage expansion - if that's what the owning company really wants to do, of course.

It seems to me that Alton Towers is seen a great prize. The CVR line to the fantasy world of Alton Towers would be a good permanent home for another red engine to go with the 8F, wouldn't it? But the language in the prospectus makes me wonder how confident they are of winning that prize
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For anyone who doesn't already subscribe, Railway Herald can be downloaded from here;-

http://www.railwayherald.com/

Pages 27 & 28 refer to Cheddleton crossing.

 

The first section heading back to Stoke from Leekbrook to Endon should be done quite quickly as it was flailed about 4-5 years ago. Some photos show only light growth on most of the track and this will what we are concentrating on shortly. The hard going will be from Endon to Fenton, pretty well overgrown, could prove to much for the volunteer workforce, I think a lot more contractors will be required for this section but I'm sure the MCR will get it done asap. As you say they need to get the freight moving first.

 

Jeff,

I'm curious as to the temporary 'terminus' at Endon. As you know the old Endon station platform is across the road from Leekbrook side. Would we be re-using the old platform there? Thus trains would need to cross the road to terminate there. Would some sort of crossing control be introduced? I suspect a full blown gated crossing would not be necessary?

Cheers

 

Barry, As a volunteer, I do whatever is asked of me so I am not privy to what the CVR/MCR management, are planning. I would have thought that at this stage any train would be top and tailed and there would be no reason to go over the road. What I would like to see is the train starting at Froghall, picking up at Cheddleton, going towards Leek on the siding. Then reversing down to Endon with a 10 mile slog up to Cauldon Lowe then back down to Froghall. Now that would be some journey, 4 destinations eh. Like I say not privy to any info just my own thoughts.

 

Pretty much good thoughts too!

I am sure it will be very interesting to see what they devise regarding routes and train compositions.

As for Endon, it would be a good 'testing of the water' opportunity if they could allow picking up there so that people from the Potteries could board and travel over the CVR without going all the way to Cheddleton.

But again, all surmisings. Let's just wait and see.

Cheers

 

Isn't Endon station now a Dental Practice? Would permission to use the platform be given? Also who did the flailing about 5 years ago? That was a good move whoever did it.

 

I think that Networkrail did the flailing as part of an agreement with one of the quarry companies but why they only did it Endon I don't know. It certainly helped on the Cauldon line. I dread to think how long it might have taken otherwise in certain parts like Bradnop Tunnel and bridge 4.

 

Nope. Dental Practice is next door. The platforms are still separate though. As for the Level Crossing, a full crossing will be installed at some stage how soon though I've no idea... See what happens before end of the year though. Can't wait to be onboard 5199 down that section

 

Went to Cheddleton yesterday to do weedkilling on the line but the weather wasn't to kind so it was cancelled. Tootled of to Leekbrook and did the rail flange clearances out on the crossing, surprising how much muck gets conpacted in there,got a bit of a sweat on,now thats unusual. Back to Chedd and met 2 nice gentlemen supporters from Wirksworth, escorted them around the yard and we had a good old natter. Took a couple of photos of the S160 6046 restoration and went home, was going to say it was a washout but talking to the 2 gentlemen made it all worthwhile.

 

Hi Jeff

I find the EVR crowd (both supporters and operators) very friendly and sociable.

Is there any news on the start date of the 'big job' yet?

 

Nothing specific, but the plan is to be in Endon by the autumn still.

For those of you with fbook, there is a group for all those in support of MCR proposals.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/292120740315?ap=1

 

Another good day, today one group worked on the CVR, we have purchased a 3 wheel Abtus measuring trolley measuring cant and rail gauge. This records all the data and can be downloaded into a computer and will give a printout of all the info. Now for playing with this and having it easy they also had to grease all the points in Cheddleton yard and move some chairs ready for next weeks work. The other group went up the Cauldon line to do a bit of work on bridges 26 and 29 on a lovely summer day it was bliss. Certainly better than greasing points

 

Err yes Jeff, Al & I really enjoyed the wheel-barrow race against the clock to shift all the chairs out of the van, barrow them down the line and get back on board before the train departed Froghall!

We then de-mystified the Abtus rail gauge, looks like it could be more than just a zimmer frame for you old-timers, just make sure when you plug it into the PC you use a serial lead where the pins are actually connected!


We had plenty of time left for point greasing in between tea breaks - just span it out so we had the pleasure of watching you all stagger back after wrestling with the rail fixings all day

 

You cheeky young whippersnapper, I hear that both you and Al are using it next Thursday doing all the Cvr line. Pity I won't be there to watch you both stagger back to Chedd, fighting for who has the zimmer frame for the last couple of miles. Seriously though hope it goes well, we should be down Wednesday having a picnic, changing chairs from Froghall to Oakamoor and swotting horseflies.

 

News in today's Sentinel newspaper of a proposal by MCR to reinstate a railway connection from Cheadle to the mainline at Cresswell.

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Talk-scheme-open-railway/story-12948780-detail/story.html

 

Hi all.

In today's local newspaper there is a report on a public meeting to be held regarding the Cheadle branch re-opening. See;-

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Talk-scheme-open-railway/story-12948780-detail/story.html

 

SNAP!

Great minds think alike eh? Sorry I duplicated this link.

 

I really, really, really dont want to be negative about any reopening, but quite apart from the dubious economics of reinstating the Cheadle Branch, why are they even glancing at other lines when there is such a long way to go on their current project?

I've been seeing criticism of MCR for a while now, and regretfully im starting to see their point - to be blunt, they keep announcing pie-in-the-sky ideas such as running services faster than 25mph, a park+ride for Alton Towers from Stoke, and commuter services to Leek without any mention of a positive business case, or indeed any mention of studies into the viability of their plans at all.

I cant believe this is really being done on a wing and a prayer, yet they seem to be upgrading Stoke-Cauldon Lowe not just with their own money but £400,000 that the CVR has helped raise, without (as far as im aware) any signed agreement regarding stone traffic or any other source of revenue... and now they are raising interest, hopes and probably some criticism too on another line for no obvious commercial reason.

I hope my fears are unfounded, can anyone reassure me?

Chris

 

I'm struggling with how these trains from Cheadle are going to get paths into Stoke station, which also has got to be one of the worst positioned city stations ever.