Churnet Valley Steam Gala - 23/24 February 2013

A short video filmed on Sunday;

Churnet Valley Railway - Winter Steam Gala - 24.2.13 - YouTube

 

A short video of Churnet Valley Railway Winter Steam Gala 2013:

[video=youtube;7MHe8N0BJNw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MHe8N0BJNw[/video]

 

My humble contribution from today's gala

Churnet Valley Winter Steam Gala Feb 2013 - YouTube

 

Freezing dull weather, but the noise was definetly worth it, my pics from the Sunday of the event are here: Churnet Valley Winter Steam Gala - a set on Flickr

A couple of questions if someone'es able to answer then, firstly which crossing is it the train stops at about 300-400 yards uphill of Apesford Crossing ?, possibly Threshing Barn but unsure, and secondly, Threshing Barn Lane has a sign at the top saying "Private Road, No access to Railway", but I've seen video's and pics taken from down there from last year, has this since become a no no or has that always been the case ?, I decided not to chance it this time without seeking confirmation.

 

You are correct it is known as Threshing Barn.

I think that has always been the case. The kindest way of putting it would be that some neighbours closeby are lukewarm to the railway here. There are however two public footpaths crossing the railway here, so photos/videos are fully legit - this photo for example is from a public foot crossing (just to the south of the road crossing) which is accessed through the Beaver Hall from the main road.

A second footpath crosses the railway over the road crossing itself, however I understand that the access road is not to be used by photographer's cars i.e. vehicles not visiting the Threshign Barn itself. It may be this misuse that triggered the sign? I may be wrong here (please correct me if someone else knows for sure) but I always considered the access road as acceptable to use on foot as it links the main road to the footpath which heads north west from the Threshing Barn crossing.

 

Thanks for that explanation Chris, I guess I can look at the footpath in future then without incurring anyones wrath.

 

That's a really nice summary of the gala, you did well in the freezing conditions up on the Cauldon Lowe line.

 

Thanks very much, yes it was really cold up there so was quite pleased with the shots I managed

 

Some shots of 6046 on todays Footplate-ex... 6046, CVR, 25/2/13. - a set on Flickr

 

Glad you enjoyed your day. Can't take credit for the first trip, unless you want to comment on my injector handle pulling abilities as that is all I did on that first trip. Luke was in charge for that trip, though can't take much credit for the second trip either tbh... You are right, we did indeed have issue in the morning with the DMU brakes dragging, but we seemed to cure these issues at Cheddleton hence our extended wait there.

Also thanks to Keith for popping into Apesford to say hi on Sunday. Certainly gets lonely up there at times so was nice to have a chat in between trains. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends and will come back in the summer. It's not always that cold!

 

We could only heat the Mk1s one way (to Cauldon) and on the last trip Saturday the Steam Heat bag failed so we were forced to leave it off for the final run. Think they got it fixed for Sunday morning though.

 

My somewhat shivery efforts from Saturday & Sunday :