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Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Sheff, Dec 6, 2013.

  1. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Reminds me of a situation at Corby in the 1970s when my next door neighbour took his dog for a walk on the site of Corby sidings - which had been uplifted. When I queried his presence on the railway he noted that "no trains came this way any more" "So what" I asked "is this ?" as a Class 45 with 9 coaches on a Sunday diverted MML service passed by on the main line. My ashen-faced neighbour couldn't / wouldn't answer but he walked his dog away from the track afterwards.

    Sad to say the 'trespassers' won't believe until they see a train bearing down on them - by which time it could be too late !
     
  2. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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  3. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    This boils my wossnames. It would take half an hour to work out who that couple are, why aren't they facing a charge?
     
  4. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    The locals are using it as shortcut between the Hollybush Inn at Denford and Morrison's at Leek, plus various other journeys in between. The fact the canal towpath follows the railway from Denford to St Edwards bypasses most, as it is their god given right to roam as they please [\quote].

    Whilst we can understand the situation, this does not change the fact it is still railway property and activities are going to be increasing significantly in 2021. Network Rail own Denford to Leek Brook (West) so what they do there is their decision. But as mentioned the Caldon canal follows the railway side by side almost for the majority of that section, so there should really be no need to trespass.

    Leek Brook we can't have members of the public wandering through a worksite with operational rail lines inside also. The CVR is looking to maintain the permissive path from Barnfields to Leekbrook, but once at Severn Trent Crossing they will need to follow the access road back to the main road, unless the Council/someone build a footpath to the edge of Wardles housing estate and bring foot users round to the UWC beneath the A520. There is just too much planned for Leekbrook to allow the current level of trespass to continue. It might not be the popular view, but I'd rather have a couple of disgruntled walkers than have to pick up the pieces of a dismembered person. I've done that in my paid job, I don't really want to do it in my hobby.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2020
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  5. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    .


    Whilst we can understand the situation, this does not change the fact it is still railway property and activities are going to be increasing significantly in 2021. Network Rail own Denford to Leek Brook (West) so what they do there is their decision. But as mentioned the Caldon canal follows the railway side by side almost for the majority of that section, so there should really be no need to trespass.

    Leek Brook we can't have members of the public wandering through a worksite with operational rail lines inside also. The CVR is looking to maintain the permissive path from Barnfields to Leekbrook, but once at Severn Trent Crossing they will need to follow the access road back to the main road, unless the Council/someone build a footpath to the edge of Wardles housing estate and bring foot users round to the UWC beneath the A520. There is just too much planned for Leekbrook to allow the current level of trespass to continue. It might not be the popular view, but I'd rather have a couple of disgruntled walkers than have to pick up the pieces of a dismembered person. I've done that in my paid job, I don't really want to do it in my hobby.[/QUOTE]
    Thank you for the clarification
     
  6. Martin Adalar

    Martin Adalar New Member

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    CVR are encouraging tresspassing by saying they want to allow people to be able to walk from Barnfields to Leekbrook; if the extension to Leek ever becomes reality then people will be walking through a live railway tunnel and will be crossing the track of the proposed East curve of the triangle. To make matters worse there is no fencing at Leekbrook for the site of the Park sidings and all this would make a fantastic pitch for the travelling community.
     
  7. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    Err there is a fence, I was part of the team who installed it.

    And the Barnfields footpath was a requirement for taking the lease on the land from the landowners - the Council. What’s wrong with having a foot crossing over a railway line, and a footpath next to a single track line on a former double track formation?

    Yet another uneducated post from yourself trying to create trouble. Can you not learn the facts before posting drivel?
     
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  8. Martin Adalar

    Martin Adalar New Member

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    According to what was said in the paper CVR were not obligated to provide a footpath but decidied it was something they wanted for the railway, presumably to win extra brownie points with the council who it is claimed have always supported the railway. Boundary fences are supposed to be 15' from the track and ORR do not like foot crossings or level crossings where they didn't exist before. Are you are suggesting that it is ok for people to walk through a tunnel when trains are using it?
     
  9. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    How have Avon Valley, Peak Rail and others been able to do it then..? It’ll be a footpath for walkers and cyclists, not a bypass for the A520.

    Talks are ongoing regarding Bridge 51 with all local landowners. Why not await an official announcement instead of making up what you clearly don’t know?
     
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  10. Vulcan Works

    Vulcan Works Member

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    It would seem perfectly sensible to provide a footpath to guide people where the CVR wants them to go, rather than take away an amenity path used by locals and antagonise them. It may or may not win brownie points with the Council but generally it’s wise to have a positive relationship with a local authority.

    From memory the absolute minimum is a 6’ boundary from the nearest rail and 15’ is desirable. Each case on its own merits of course depending on line speed, frequency of trains, site constraints etc. Risks can be mitigated by the use of appropriate fencing type. Peak Rail and Avon Valley for example operate perfectly fine. Likewise new crossings can be provided but granted there has to be a sound case and again risks need to be mitigated.

    I don’t know if it’s intended to make use of the tunnel, Peak Rail has several tunnels to consider for the Monsal Trail but unfortunately the railway hasn’t been able to progress with any firm proposals (lack of money and lack of expertise in my opinion). I would think the CVR has the ability to sort out a footpath given all the other engineering challenges it successfully tackles!
     
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  11. Martin Adalar

    Martin Adalar New Member

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    The other railways mentioned do not have a footpath that crosses a junction or passes through a tunnel that is proposed to reopen to rail traffic, the other thing to think about is where all the signalling will go for the north juction points if there is not going to be a cess. ORR policy is that they do not allow new level crossings on railways where there wasn't a crossing before. NR spend millions of pounds a year trying to keep the public well away from the track where even if they are not going to injure themselves they may steal cables or cause damage. The normal clearance for a boundary fence is 15', anything less than that is "On or near the line" will result in a hazard in the form of a limited clearance and as with level crossings the ORR do not like additional hazards that never existed before. Tunnels for Peak Rail is never going to be a problem because that railway has no prospect of ever going any further north than it does. I could also remind you that it is intended for trains to run round which will require double track so any path would have to be built clear of the railway as was stated in the planning application but that appears to have gone out of the window. The Avon Valley Railway was opened before the ORR came into being who prevented CVR from reopening the level crossing at Endon.
     
  12. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    the CVR is not Network Rail. RSP5 lays down a minimum clearance between the running edge of a rail and the infrastructure of 5'-3¾", far short of your 15ft. In practice it has to be greater than this on at least one side and vehicular access is preferred for both maintenance and emergencies.. True, the ORR don't like level crossings but take a pragmatic view. If trespass is a major problem it is far better to have a controlled foot crossing at one place with adequate safeguards in place, such as signage and speed restrictions.
    You also need to read up on what is 'on or near the line' in terms of the big railway. To quote: "You are on or near the line if within 3 metres (10 feet) of a line and there is no permanent fence or structure between you and the line."
    As regards the ORR coming into being after the Avon Valley opened, the Railway Inspectorate are that part of the ORR charged with policing the railways and they have been around for well over 150 years.
    Is there any part of your post that is factually correct?
     
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  13. Martin Adalar

    Martin Adalar New Member

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    Your definition of "On or near the line" is actually correct but i was saying that at your distance of 5' 3 3/4" the fence itself would be on or near the line and that doesn't leave much room for a run round loop or lineside equipment. My point is that a path is of no benefit to the railway and should not be provided, if people want to walk from Leek to Leekbrook they can use the canal towpath because people only use that route for dog walking on their way to places along the Stoke line.
     
  14. Vulcan Works

    Vulcan Works Member

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    That did make me chuckle. At the risk of crossing threads I agree with you although as I’m an optimist perhaps it would be more accurate to say ‘no prospect going any further north than it does under the current lame management regime’.
     
  15. Andy Moody

    Andy Moody Member

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    What has this got to do with the CVR?
    Peak Rail is in Derbyshire, Churnet Valley Railway is in Staffordshire!
     
  16. NeilL

    NeilL Well-Known Member

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    Pway up at Ipstones today replacing sleepers just before the loop. It is always 'bracing' up at the end of the line.
    DSCF2030.JPG DSCF2031.jpg DSCF2032.JPG DSCF2034.JPG DSCF2036.JPG
     
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  17. NeilL

    NeilL Well-Known Member

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    Continuing the CVR PWay saga. Last week's photos would have been very similar to the ones above as we were replacing more sleepers between Ipstones and Threshing Barn. This week a small change - still changing sleepers but this time at Leekbrook Junction and included a long one with the Stoke line points lever.
    DSCF2050.JPG DSCF2053.JPG DSCF2055.JPG DSCF2059.JPG DSCF2060.JPG
     
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  18. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    The peak railway is very similar to it as it has a path along side which is what this man was saying.
     
  19. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    Quick update away from PWay...

    We have been defeated in our attempts to complete E3809 in time for our Santa season. Sadly we just didn't get enough volunteers down to assist the paid staff, and there's only so much the guys can complete whilst also adhering to social distancing. No-ones fault per say, we knew it was an ambitious target in the first place but it is disappointing to have come so close. I will be putting a full update online when I get more than 5x minutes.

    To compensate, we have hired TSO 3872 from NYMR to ensure we still have enough seats for Santa trains. With the loss of November's dates we have now added extra days in December and an additional evening trip every Saturday. Once we have received replies from all November's ticket holders these new dates will be added to www.santaandsteam.co.uk

    Additionally TSO 5000 has arrived from NYMR for completion of an overhaul, after which CVR will have an agreed period of use prior to its return to Yorkshire.

    Ecclesiastical Movement for Good is back for Christmas. 120 charities to receive £1000 each, NSRC is Charity 514172 for those willing to support - all you have to do is get the most amount of nominations. 1x nomination per email....

    6046 is receiving winter maintenance ahead of Santa season, with efforts concentrating on a fault with the main steam pipe discovered after reports of the regulator passing. 33102 has also received maintenance as prep ahead of Santas.

    Lineside mileposts and gradient posts have all received a spruce up, following Pete Green efforts to tidy all marker boards in the summer.

    Leekbrook is slowly being rewired, which will include combining the security for box and station building into one.

    Froghall has received a partial rewire and upgrade of CCTV, with more planned when we get 5x minutes.

    New palisade fence gone in at Leekbrook, with additional boundary improvements to follow after BTP paid a visit to assist us with the ongoing problems of trespass.

    S&T have been slowly working on installing a 440/110 Power systems for signalling equipment at Cheddleton.

    There numerous other things going on that I can't remember atm, though the Knotty Journal is supposed to have arrived at Cheddleton this morning and will be getting packed / posted over the weekend so that it is hopefully with all members come next week.
     
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  20. Vulcan Works

    Vulcan Works Member

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    It’s a shame that the coach isn’t quite ready but they’re pretty big projects in their own right and as you say, there are only so many socially distanced hours in the day! Well done to the CVR for bringing in a replacement at short notice, no doubt at a cost but much better to give visitors a great experience (in trying circumstances) rather than being tempted to put a ‘nearly but not quite finished’ coach in to service.
     

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