Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

It was pretty compelling on board! (you can just see my son in the front vestibule)

John

 

Yesterday (Saturday March 29th) I made my annual pilgrimage to the railway.
I'd got the last seat on one of the "Heritage Open Days" and a great day it was too.

• 1030 from Froghall to Ipstones with 6046 on the front and 33102 assisting on the back for the steep bit. This was while a late breakfast was served.
  
• Then we went down the hill with the class 33 leading and round the re-instated east to north curve and into the temporary station at Leek. This was just a short stop as the 2 coaches with passengers were next to the steam loco and well off the end of the platform.
• 6046 took over for a run from Leek and perhaps 1/4 mile along the Stoke line. Apparently the line is passable as far as Endon although it would need attention from a flail and some weedkilling.
• 33102 took over for run from there round the corner towards Ipstones until the back of the train had cleared the signal for the east-north curve.
• Then 6046 took over for a run into Leek at which point we could get out and stretch our legs.
• The General Manager of the railway gave an explanation of all the efforts to get to Leek and the backwards and forwards with Severn Trent water board and what would still be needed to finish the station.
• People could also wonder around the unfinished station area and walk along the trackbed.
• Once everyone was back on board, the 33 led back to Leek Brook Junction where we all got off again.
• People who were interested walked alongside the track up to the divergence of the Leek and Ipstones lines for 2 run-pasts. This was carefully supervised with railway volunteers along the route to keep people safe.
• There were 2 run-pasts with 6046.
• At this point the sun went in & everyone returned to the train.
• 33102 led back to Cheddleton for a guided tour around the workshops.

I know one of the issues for some people is that it's difficult to get to the railway without a car. I got an Uber from Stoke station for 15 quid including a tip & a bus from Cheddleton to Hanley and another from Hanley to Stoke for 3 quid each.

There are two more of these days available this year (https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/heritage-open-days). They're highly recommended.

If any of those involved are reading this, thank you very much for a great day out.