Churnet Valley in 2013

Does anyone know how Leekbrook signalbox restoration is proceeding or have any recent photographs?

 

Saw it yesterday all windows glazed and painted, apart from the stairs, now awaiting pointing up, tidying up in the box and a few electrics finishing off.

 

Can anyone confirm if Cauldon Low services are running as originally scheduled with weekend (3rd/4th Aug), please? There is an announcement on the website dated 16th July announcing their cancellation, but rest of website, and phone answering system suggest that they are running. No answer to an email I sent on Sunday, or to an enquiry on the railways Facebook page. If I was a casual punter, not an enthusiast, I'd have given up and decided to spend my time and money elsewhere by now.
Either way, what loco is likely be out (N7 presumably, with 33 on rear if Cauldon)?

Ah, think I've discovered buried in a "City and Moorlands" thread that the locos I suggested above are going to Bridge 39/1 this weekend. How far is that, please, and presumably cheaper fares will be charged?
Either way, still very unimpressed with the difficulty in finding that out.

 

I will be going and yes they will be running to Bridge 39 or 1 on the Cauldon line, which means that it will be about 3/4 miles shorter than the full run. The locos as you say will be the N7 t&t with a 33 at the back. The thing to remember is that we are now starting the loop at Ipstones and I dont know how many more runs past there will be. Dont know about fares but just for one of the last runs for a while it be well worth the full amount thats why I'm going. Hope to see a full train, full steam ahead.

 

Thanks. Now arrived in our cottage near Carsington Water, should be on the 1030 tomorrow, barring disasters.

 

Following the fallen tree last Saturday that was found by the class 33 and a train the PW gang was out today making sure that trees in that vicinity would not pose any future threat to services. As it was a normal Wednesday running day our tree felling had to take place well between trains which left us with some breaks to recover before the next action. A nice dry and sunny day which made a nice change from last week.

 

The website shows a two train service this weekend. From posts above, I guess one will be steam and one DMU, but strangely the website gives no indication of which services will be operated with what motive power. Anybody know?

 

Steam is always the 1032 off Cheddleton, unless stated otherwise.

 

Many thanks.

 

New Locomotive Arrival

Newly overhauled Lambton Tank No. 29 will be arriving at the Churnet Valley Railway for a 6 week stay over the summer. The locomotive will arrive on this Friday the 16th of August and will be in traffic from Saturday the 17th of August.

Our thanks go to The Lambton Locomotives Trust Ltd, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for releasing the locomotive at such short notice and Allelys for moving the locomotive at short notice.

An excellent picture of the locomotive can be seen here;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nymr/8737468223/lightbox/

Regards

Chris

 

Good news!! A real preservation stalwart, will handle CVR services a treat.

 

Is it likely to get a trip up to Cauldon during its stay?

 

Is it capable of hauling a greater load than the N7 and managing Cauldon unassisted?

 

Capable? Considering the work it was built for...!

Whether crew/owners reps/management are happy to allow it out, on the other hand...

 

An interesting comparison. The N7 has a TE of 20,500 lb vs 29's 24,500, so in BR terms, 3MTTvs 4MTT, and grate area 17.7 vs 20.2 sq ft. However the N7 is pressed to 180 psig and superheated vs 29's 160 psig saturated.

So 29 will win in a shortish uphill slog, but the N7 will come out tops over a longer distance less demanding route.

 

Thanks for the technical details - thought you might just have those on your fingertips. Owner permissions looks to be the issue. Top & tailed up Cauldon would be good.

 

A set of photographs from me from yesterdays Mid-week running trains: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/sets/72157635082459354/with/9516210494/

Cheers!

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All trips to Cauldon have to be Top/Tailed at present due to the runround loop being inaccessible, so 29 could well venture up Cauldon in September with the 33 pushing if the N7 has not returned to service.

Personally I'm more interested in which direction she'll be facing, as it be nice to have something facing South for a change.

 

29 has landed at Cheddleton, and is currently be examined before a steam test later tonight prior to going straight into service tomorrow morning.

If anyone does come down tomorrow feel free to say hi, I'm swinging the shovel on 29.