Churnet Valley Railway Steam Gala 25/ 26th February 2012

Im not sure 828 would be much use up to Cauldon Low when it was limited to 6 on the (in comparison) flat SVR.

I wonder if 4936 still visits preserved lins inbetween mainline commitments like it did prior to overhaul ?.

 

Nene Valley last September.

 

For someone who has never been to the CVR before and will probably be attending at Cheddleton from Keele via bicycle, where abouts on the line is the Caldon Lowe branch? And is it feasibly reachable given the distances involved?

 

Parallel to the Cheddleton to Froghall section, a bit further along the valley! Distance wise it's not too far from Cheddleton to many of the photo spots, but there are some impressive hills iirc... Depends how fit you are!

 

Have a look at one of the numerous online maps or Google Earth

 

Its not actually on Google Earth, the satelite images and photos posted by users must have been taken before they relaid the track, although i think i've now found it. Is is near Froghall station somewhat?

 

The line is shaped roughly like giant horseshoe, with the CVR forming one "leg" and the Cauldon branch the other. Therefore you can, by road, cross from one leg, over the hill, to the other in a comparatively short distance.

I have walked it myself in about an hour, there is a road from Apesford Crossing which goes to Cheddleton station (very hilly!), and you can also do Froghall to Winkhill or Cauldon using the minor roads. Interestingly Froghall and Cauldon Lowe are over 13 miles apart by rail but only about 3 or 4 by road! People very easily beat the trains by car, but haven't tried a Cauldon-Froghall race by foot/bike yet

I would suggest accessing the line at Apesford from Cheddleton (looks slightly shorter than going from Froghall IMO) then travelling up & down the branch via the A523 which follows the line along its length. You can get to all the spots (Ipstones, Blackbrook, Winkhill etc) by taking minor roads off the A523 at various points. A decent map (I recommend OS!) would be essential to avoid wasting time. At 8 miles the Cauldon branch is quite a long one to be walking up & down, I find it pays to have a plan and know what you want to get before hand rather than to wander like I sometimes do on some shorter lines.

 

Thanks for that. Have now found the branch properly, and I think its feasible for me to do it. The hills look alright (I've bossed worse ones). Consall, Cheddleton then on to Apesford and beyond is all manageable in one route, doesn't require going back on myself too much.

Mostly just depends now on the weather and the route there, i.e. finding my way through Newcastle and Stoke, and the 28 mile round trip to get to the CVR and back...

 

Black 5 44767 on her "Santa" outings again today, A DRS Tractor & LMS Black 5 - a set on Flickr

 

I know I have asked this question from previous CVR Steam Gala threads.

What are the chances of a vintage bus shuttle service from Stoke-On-Trent station to Kingsley & Froghall?? I believe you did this in 2009, but not in 2010.

 

Hall or 43106 be interesting to see operating personally.

 

For me it would have to be something LMS/standard, so the Hall is out, 42968 would be ideal in my opinion, but a third black 5 would make it an interesting event. Well to be honest any lms/standard tender engine would be nice, although another 4f would be interesting and i hear 44422 is at Crewe, opps i didnt say that did i, ill get my coat..................

 

Any news on the S160's restoration? Seems to be a little silent.

 

Recent discussion has appeared over in the steam section:

S160 6046 Thread

 

Cheers Chris

 

As its only just over 4 weeks till this gala, any news of the additional loco yet?

Cheers Gav

 

Thinking of making a visit to this event which station is best for parking
Thanks

 

Would recommend Froghall [aka Kingsley & Froghall] where additional parking is arranged for Gala events in a field on the other side of the bridge from the station entrance.

 

Same question almost a fortnight later!

 

Any more news on the mystery visitor? Surely something must have been sorted by now. If not, fine just say so. I'll be coming along anyway.