Moorlands and City Railway

The leader of the other team and his gang yesterday did the linewalk from Froghall to Oakamoor. At Oakamoor they found that the gates to the tunnel were opened. The jammy gang then went through the tunnel .He took some photos and has given me permission to post them on here. Theres one of the bridge before the tunnel and 3 of the tunnel.

 

Doesn't look like much work needed to open the tunnel then.

Roll on Alton!

 

But first Barry, roll on Stoke!

 

... and Leek!

Incidentally the tunnel between Leekbrook and Leek is in what seems like perfect condition too, so should be no hold-ups there too.

 

The tunnel portal looks to be a very fine piece of Architecture, too. Dating from 1849, perhaps it should be listed? Is this potentially the oldest tunnel on a preserved line?

 

The original ELR opened in 1846. This would make Brooksbottom and Nuttall tunnels older by three years.

 

The northern portal is far more ornate than I remembered it when I visited a few years back. Perhaps I appreciate fine architecture more these days!

 

The semi- eliptical arch and splayed face are very unusual, and must have presented somewhat of a challenge to the masons all those years ago! It is certainly much finer than the two Leek tunnels. And that is locally quarried Hollington stone, if my eyes deceive me not. I didn't know we had such an architectural treasure here - has anyone got a picture of the Southern portal?

 

Google is your friend: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3488/3859224826_62a6794d9a_z.jpg?zz=1

 

Thanks, Chris. It doesn't seem to have the lovely splay to it, but it's hard to see with all the trees.

 

Sods law eh? The "nice" portal would be at the end which rivals the Amazon rainforest in both vegetation cover and public access

 

Wansford tunnel (617 yards) on the Nene Valley opened to passenger traffic on 2 June 1845, I believe. I cannot immediately think of anything earlier which is still operational on a preserved railway but stand to be corrected (I believe that the original tunnel at Grosmont on the NYMR is some ten years older but is now a footpath access to the sheds)...

Good luck with getting back through Oakamoor tunnel: from pictures, Oakamoor station on the other side of it appears to have been particularly attractively situated.

 

Certainly was, just a shame there's only the platforms left behind now.

 

An official announcement on Moorland & City Railways website, Mr. Adrian Shooter CBE.has joined the board and has taken the role of Chairman.

 

And here's the link
Adrian Shooter CBE Joins Board Of MCR

 

That news should certainly open some doors.

 

Oakamoor Tunnel doesn't seem to be especially wet - at least from the photos - compared to Sharpthorne Tunnel on the Bluebell line which leaks like a sieve....... It was built in 1882 so is a bit of a youngster compared to the CVR tunnels. The council are the owners of Oakamoor Tunnel aren't they, not BRB Residuary?

Has the final layout of Leekbrook Junction been decided upon, since it's been very reduced now? I'm assuming the intact signalbox will control everything once it's restored, with a turning triangle on the old Cauldon Low branch junction layout, passing loops, sidings, maybe a rebuilt loco shed?

Is it likely that the Landmark Trust would allow the original station at Alton to return to use? Those 3 platform faces would be enough capacity I would have thought, and being 12 coaches long the 2 through platforms would easily take incoming charter trains. The bay road could be used for stock storage or as a terminating platform for diesel units. The buildings on platform 2 could be rebuilt............. As for Oakamoor, a 1 or 2 platform halt with new buildings?

 

Who owns Oakamoor signal box and the land between the tunnel and the road? (its garden) And are there not bats in that tunnel?

 

Good turnout again today and we split into 2 teams for the morning, the A team going to Endon the B team to Leek Brook. In the afternoon we joined the others at Leek Brook Jct., the spelling by the way, is what it will revert to when the signal box and platform are restored as per archive photos. At Endon did the other side of the crossing clearing and inspecting the iron work and sleepers and as you can tell by the photos some of the sleepers are in poor condition. The teams in the afternoon had a good bit of banter as we did a few leftover jobs jobs from are previous work. Good work guys.

 

What a treat today, photographing on the Cauldon and CVR lines. The N7 on its first passenger run with 4 coaches and as a bonus the class 33 banking. Very misty on the moors which only added to the atmosphere and where I went, at Blackbrook no other photographers. Then a run from Froghall to Consall on the DMU, a pint in the White Lion then some more photos. Before we went to Cauldon, caught the Deltic on the WCML. I think I've been to heaven.
They are running again tomorrow.