Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

You could always start a thread for MCR in 2015, and leave the dross behind.

 

We could do but there is a lot of history in the early days with all the asperations everyone had would be sorry to lose that.

 

Why not both - if we leave the old one there but behind it should not cause any problems but if the new one gets the gloves on the old will be untouched.

 

Don't forget a "visitor's centre" is also proposed at Froghall connected with the canal history, and I would presume the former industry that the area was built up upon. If that does come off as planned I'd leave the Leek museum to concentrate on solely the NSR.

 

I think a lot of people would support you with this, but the quarry "issue" affects Waterhouses as part of the former trackbed has been impeded by whichever quarry it is down there (I get confused between the 2 quarries).

 

Got the injector to catch just before I reached you!

 

Ahhh, I hadn't spotted that a visitor centre was planned for Froghall, which is a pretty sensible spot for telling the tale of the valley more generally. More room for the story of the Knotty at Leek then!

 

http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=66014

Scoping Report went in last autumn.

 

Thanks for that, an interesting read and by the look of things a fairly sizeable visitor centre at Froghall.

 

It's 50 Years since passenger services were withdrawn between Leek & Uttoxeter, which meant the complete removal of passenger services for the Churnet Valley Line was completed as recommended in Dr Beeching's report.

Thanks to the Burgess family though, we can still relive this final day through the following footage. The final clip shows BR Standard 4 4-6-0 no. 75035 running round at Leek after arriving with the final train, before departing to Stoke with the ECS bringing to a close 116 years of public service to Leek and the Churnet Valley.

 

December Update
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.868469543174556.1073741854.419469178074597&type=1

Also, a feature from March 2014. EMRPS Photo Charter
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.715744841780361.1073741835.419469178074597&type=3

 

Short days and a wet one today but the track is being kept in tip top (well by our standards) shape. More jacking and packing today then up towards the tunnel to replace a broken fishplate and close a very wide expansion joint. Mince pies and Christmas cake in the oyster at mid morning.

 

I'll keep you all busy next week ;-)

 

Bit off topic, but i have a footplate ride voucher and I'd like to know, when the timetable's are going to be released for 2015, so i can book my ride ?

 

Wednesday I've been told. Hopefully have all events listed by the end of this week

 

Just returned from a quick shopping trip to the Asda store in Leek to discover that one of the three good causes currently being supported by their green token scheme is the North Staffordshire Railway! Just thought those of you reading this might be interested!

 

The photographers wanted spots where they could get better shots and there was potential for a good one with reflections in the river but there were three trees in the way right on the edge of the river and leaning towards the water. We should really have waited until high summer when if something went wrong and someone ended in the water it would be relatively warm. Instead we started with frost on the ground.
We got it right - nobody got wet and the trees were felled onto the bank and track. I just hope the photos are worth it. The old limekilns in the background will be difficult to get into a shot with an engine in the foreground - challenge !

 

I don't think that you are allowed to fell trees in the summer due to the possibility of nesting birds.

 

There is no prohibition on tree felling as such. It is an offence to destroy the nests or disturb, so as to drive away, nesting birds and the two are often related.

 

Are you going to fell more along the river? Looks like a potentially very attractive photo spot, and while I did enjoy the photo charter with 69621 last April, I was a little dissapointed there were no river side shots on. Certainly makes me want to have another go now!