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!

 

Posted on CVR’s FB today ….

At approximately 09:40 this morning, a non-passenger-carrying train movement consisting of empty coaching stock departing Cheddleton Station derailed.

No injuries were reported or sustained as a result of the incident.
We are working closely with the relevant authorities, including the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), and are fully cooperating with them. A response team from CVR was immediately dispatched and recovery operations are currently underway to safely rerail and remove the affected locomotive and coach.

The railway has proudly operated heritage steam and diesel services since 1996, and this is the first incident of this nature in our history. We are committed to understanding exactly what has occurred and will continue to support all investigative efforts. While the locomotive involved is new to our fleet, it has undergone extensive testing prior to entering service, and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause at this stage.

As a result of the derailment, services will remain suspended through Saturday and into Sunday. Customers with existing bookings will be contacted directly by our customer service team to arrange alternative travel dates or provide refunds where preferred.
We currently expect to resume normal services on Wednesday 22 April, subject to the completion of recovery work and safety checks.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

 

Photo on FB shows S160 3278 with the tender derailed and front bogie of the first carriage off. Not clear from the photo, but as it was running tender first, the loco itself may well be off.

 

I really would like to have a ride over the "new section" although that maybe unlikely the way I am currently.
But looking at the website the ticketing is confusing.
On the ticket page it says
"
Public Train Service
Join us one of our 2 return services, alighting at either Froghall, Consall or Cheddleton.

The 1030 departure on Saturdays in June, July, August & September is operated by a heritage diesel locomotive.

But it also says in a separate box

Your Booking
Rover tickets valid for all day time departures as advertised. Please note: the 1030 departure on Saturdays in June, July, August & September is operated by a heritage diesel locomotive.

So is it a rover ticket or just a one journey ticket?

 

Video here...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CdGDxR8k8/

For anyone who doesn't use FB, rear (leading) bogie of tender looks to have come away from the frame, or has been removed by the rerailing crew. All six driving wheels appear to be in the dirt too, along with the leading bogie of the coach.

Fingers crossed the cause is soon identified and the damage is minimal.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CdGDxR8k8/
Loco is fresh out of overhaul, possibly first public service.
Single coach, so either a shunt or rest of stock has been pulled back?
Rail Support Services in attendance, so not a ‘DIY’ recovery job.

 

My heart hurts for the Churnet Valley. These sort of incidents can be broadcasted within minutes of what happened. No time for the heat to come out of the sting of the incident before it appears online.

 

Is that the S160 which came from Greece to MHR and was named FDR?

 

Yes. USATC no. 3278, FS no. 736.073, SEK no. Θγ575.