Churnet Valley in 2013

Cauldon Services to terminate at Ipstones for remainder of 2013
http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/cauldon-branch

 

I was about to ask whether 5197's target date was a tad optimistic, but looks more realistic after what you've just said.

 

And what a busy day we had yesterday at CVR.

MPD guys successfully lifted 2944 boiler, and prepared 5197 for her lift end of this week.
C&W did some more work on the LMS BG before having that lifted back onto its frames.
Elsewhere PWay had 2 groups doing their own inspections, whilst 6046 operated the High Season TT.

Bit of news from the Rail Ale Trail, it has been calculated we had over 1800 people travel the line over the 2 days! Amazing what a bit of sunshine and the promise of beer brings. The kegs were bone dry come the end of Saturday night, resulting in emergency supplies being sourced for Sunday. Even after that there apparently was not much left. So a very good weekend for CVR, in what is proving to be a very good 2013 overall.

 

August the 24th will potentially see one of the 33s hauling CVR services, with the N7 operating a private charter up the Cauldon branch.

 

Steam services suspended, and replaced with diesels until further notice.

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/no-steam

 

From the CVR website:

Are these the same very high temperatures and dry conditions under which a certain line a couple of miles away is holding a steam gala this weekend?

 

Deleted - apologies. I don't know if there is a way to delete a post after having second thoughts but if there is please tell me how

 

If that certain line is the one I'm thinking of, I've seen members of staff stamping out fires on the bank before they have a chance to really get going, easier to keep an eye on a 1/2 incline than 5/6 miles of 1 in 40 odd.

Interesting line about Waterhouses being an eventual aim, I presume this is the trackbed that swings away from the line northwards shortly before Cauldon ?.

 

Where is it 1 in 40 between Froghall and Leekbrook? 1 in 200 more like.

I'd have thought that the CVR would want to take advantage of the large influx of steam enthusiasts in the area this weekend, in previous years I have spoken to quite a few people who had come for the Foxfield gala but were also having a trip on the CVR.

 

CVR is not the only line with Diesels out due to fire risk! Better to be save. Getting to the line side at CVR with Fire equipment is quite hard by road.

 

Looking around the web, apart from CVR I can find one line [MHR] with a total steam ban and one [NVR] with a partial ban. All the others seem to be running steam where scheduled. Even the normally diesel Ecclesbourne is advertising steam, and the normally diesel Mid Norfolk is having a steam gala.

Indeed, as it is at most other lines.

 

Moving the goalposts somewhat there are you not when they regularly run beyond Leekbrook ?, That's like having Foxfield only including the bit between Caverswall Road and Dilhorne Park.

As for other lines, I take it you've never seen the fire-con working the NYMR sometimes has to do ?.

 

No. I was referring to this weekend, when they are not running beyond Leekbrook. the next Cauldon trains are not due until August.

No, I dont get up there that often, but they appear to be running steam this weekend.

 

Tim,

What does the gradient have to do with the tendency for sparks to fall out of the ash pan causing line side fires?

We had a fire to attend to on Wednesday which is likely to have come from the ash pan.

We will not risk setting fire to the line side, potentially killing farmers livestock and therefore the railway has taken the sensible decision to suspend steam services this weekend.

Interestingly Foxfield have unfortunately had numerous line side fires in the last 2 days.

 

Chris, I am well aware that gradient has nothing to do with ash pan sparks. It was David who brought up the subject of gradients. All I have been doing is pointing out that the CVR is in a very small minority of lines that have imposed a steam ban while the majority are somehow managing to run normally. I would be interested to know how the majority cope with this problem without resorting to diesels.

 

The problem of fire risks is not simply that of causing a fire but the potential damage which may be caused to such as SSIs [Sites of Special / Scientific Interest] and the loss of goodwill with landowners whose properties adjoin the railway. Those railways which have "banned" steam are helping to generate local goodwill whilst those who have not made any decision risk losing theirs. Since each heritage line is peculiar to its area then the local needs will be the greatest influence on whether steam trains are operated, cancelled or substituted by diesel traction.

When one considers that some of the more devastating fires in Australia in recent times are thought to have been caused by either a cigarette or dropped match then the potential damage from a spark from steam locomotives can be seen to be that much greater.

Even without steam traction London Fire Brigade is finding that Epping Forest is generating several large fires and there are wooded areas throughout the UK where similar potential threats exist; heritage lines do not operate in a vacuum therefore need to take guidance from the experts in their particular area(s).

 

Yes, 1in40 downhill towards Waterhouses. Could be interesting...

 

Steam is back. From the CVR website:

Following overnight rain and storms which is (sic) parts of Staffordshire are now causing floods, we are returning to steam motive power .

 

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/news/full-steam-ahead

 

6046 due out over the weekend, with N7 undergoing air pump repairs. N7 may venture out on test some point if repairs completed, and it is hoped she will then operate services on Wednesday.

It's been a busy week at Cheddleton. 5197 boiler was finally lifted and all the tubes have been removed, 2944 boiler had its initial assessment before then being shotblasted. 6046 received repairs to what was a suspected leaking element, have to say I have never seen anyone as black from a steam loco as I saw Peakey and big Iain on Wednesday following this! Though at least Peakey did look like he had a batman mask on, just a shame I didn't have a camera!

DMU has also been undergoing an examination, and work continues on the LMS BG. If anyone wants to come down and join in the fun there is plenty to do!