Churnet Valley Steam Gala - 23/24 February 2013

So do the passenger trains cross at Cheddleton or in the loop at Leekbrook? The timetable looks like Leekbrook although cheddleton would be better.

 

Trains cross at Consall & Leekbrook.

 

From memory they only do a couple of trips per loco, anyway its a good opportuntiy to get some good mileage in behind 31806 and 6046.

 

The two passenger trains cross at Leekbrook and the freight and passenger trains will pass at Consall. It is not possible to change trains at Leekbrook, the best option would be to alight at Cheddleton having arrived from Froghall and wait 10 minutes for the other passenger train to arrive from Leekbrook.

There is no loop currently at Cheddleton only a siding in platform 2.

Regards

Chris

 

Are there any timings available for the photo charters?

 

I don't wish to be rude but if its a photo charter then the participants have paid a lot of money to be on it . I don't think they would take kindly if you turned up !

 

Not wishing to be rude, but with just over a week to go, was putting it in the lineup a bit optimistic?

Also, will the U-boat be working any trains after the gala?

 

Well as Chris M said, the U-boat went for a test run today!

Video footage (Abit shaky as I was taking photos at the same time haha!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbUuiRKB-Wk
Plus a nice set of shots: 31806, CVR, 15/02/13. - a set on Flickr

Ta,
Frank

 

I would be interested to know what the passengers train formations are for the gala weekend i.e. how many coaches in Train 1 Train 2.

Thanks.

 

We will be running two rakes of 5.

5 maroon behind 31806 and a mixed rake behind the S160.

Regards

Chris

 

Nope, as some of the delays that have occurred could not of been foreseen when the gala was originally advertised. It's going to be close whether she makes it, but John does want it to happen.

31806 is currently only booked to run public services during the gala. All other occasions will be for Private Photo Charters or Driver Experience Trains. Sure Chris M will update you if things change.

 

Seems to happen anyway.

 

Many thanks Chris.

 

I wonder if anyone can help me with making my plans for this gala, can anyone say where Ipstone Summit is roughly in relation to the roads around there, I assume it's a bit more east of Bottom Lane (the B road), but online maps are a little vague.

 

Yes, if you look on an OS map where the line crosses under the B road, the summit is just around the curve to the east of the B road, a hundred yards or so east of the first farmer's overbridge on the straight.

A footpath crosses the railway diagonally (running Southwest to Northeast) roughly on the summit itself and the "over the hump" shot can be obtained there.

Hope the info helps.

 

A couple of pictures below from the Saturday photo charter courtesy of David Gibson.

 

A taster from last Saturdays charter with the U class.

RICK EBORALL PHOTOGRAPHY | U CLASS 31806 CHURNET VALLEY 16.02.2013

Hope you enjoy the results!

Many thanks to everyone's hard work and all who were involved with this charter. It was a brilliant day on the lineside!

Regards to all...............Rick

 

Looking forward to this gala, not that I really need an excuse to come down to the Churnet Valley. I'm bringing the old man on Saturday aiming to get behind the S160. If its big, noisy and ugly (well, you know what I mean), and especially if it's freight, then I'm interested.

I like the look of the freight rake in the photos on this page. I thought the Vanwides would be in it - I've seen them a few times in the yard at Chedd. Am I right in thinking that the GUV will be added to it?

While I'm on, any news on progress on the route down to the potteries?

 

The freight train at the gala will be the 12t box vans, the Proto GUV and the brake van, we have gone for a smaller mixed parcels train to provide something different.

Work behind the scenes on the Stoke branch is gathering pace, I will see if I can get an official statement to post on here.

Regards

Chris

 

Brilliant, thankyou Chris