Churnet Valley Railway General Discussion

I've done it from Stoke - bus from the station to Hanley bus station, bus to Cheddleton, then walk down the hill. Not the simplest or quickest, and about a mile uphill from the station afterwards as well isn't ideal.

 

An alternative option is you can walk down the canal towpath which skirts Cheddleton village and also meets up with the road at The Flintlock, which is conveniently close to a bus stop. It's a similar distance walk but avoids the steep hill.

I did the same journey you describe many times from Stoke station when volunteering.

Sent from my moto g85 5G using Tapatalk

 

TRUSTPILOT COMMENT FROM YESTERDAY'S BORDERS EXPLORER DAY - WELL DONE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!!!



A superb experience well worth every penny and more besides. For anyone interested in the workings and political machinations of running a heritage railway this is a must. As well as a first rate breakfast the ongoing commentary by the Director himself was highly informative. The runpasts offered a chance to see a steam engine working hard from ground level. Not had as much fun since Bulawayo in 1991... Thank you. Other heritage railways would do well to copy this idea.

 

I’ve seen on one of the Facebook posts Ian R mention there’s hope of completing the temporary platform and runaround look at leek “soon” but there are some more planning issues.

Does anyone know any more?

 

@49010 Simon?

 

I'm not aware of anything at present - Sorry.

 

Coverage of the trains on Wednesday 8th April - with 5197 hauling the seven carriage train. Filmed on the climb to Bradnop (morning train) and between Bradnop and Apesford crossing (afternoon train)

 

Nice, but sounds like valve settings could do with a tweak?

 

Definitely sounds that way. The loco seemed to be struggling or certainly being handled very carefully
and skilfully. 6046 always appears (to me) to be stronger than 5197. Vegetation seemed dry so possibly a conscious plan to prevent possible lineside fires. Steaming looked to be an issue on the afternoon train with what appeared to be blow-ups between Leekbrook and Bradnop, calm conditions allowing the sound to travel to my vantage point. The slow-plodding performance reminded me of 8Fs on the climb from Pinxton to Kirkby summit in the early sixties - where clanking motion and valve issues were remembered as the norm!

 

Loco was suffering from priming second trip last week, resulting in her stalling at Bridge 5 and having to set back to the level to be able to build her speed up again.
97 is actually the stronger of the pair, we generally rate her as being able to take an extra coach over 46 and she’s certainly more sure footed - she just wants to plod.
46 is more akin to a stallion, and likes to gallop especially after all the effort Rob Alcock put into her front end around Covid.
Be interesting to see how 3278 compares, she certainly not going to roll as well given she has no Trofimoff valves unlike 97/46.

 

I see from a poster on a Churnet Valley Facebook group that popped up, that 3278 was in steam in Cheddleton yard today it seems.

 

Thanks for the insight into the 'personalities' of 5197 and 6046 - very interesting to note and it will add to the appreciation when next travelling behind or filming these magnificent locos. Well done to all involved in the railway's preservation and it's current growth!