Self and Mrs M spent most of yesterday at the Churnet Valley Railway for their "Super Power Weekend" featuring 3 S160 American locomotives. We've travelled past this railway many times some 28 years ago when Son was at Keele University, but never really noticed it, though we've also walked on the nearby canal at Froghall Wharf, so yesterday was our first visit to the railway, also meeting up with Andy Sollis. I've been to quite a few of these 'Special Events', but this was probably the busiest I've witnessed, it was absolutely rammed, car parks overflowing, so hopefully the Railway will finish this weekend with a good deal of cash in the coffers, as I understand they are attempting to extend the existing 10 mile run through the last mile or so to Leek, so they'll need the funds, and good luck to them. This is the first time I had seen any of the surviving S160's in the flesh, and the return trip was most enjoyable, though due to the crowds, photo opportunities were somewhat limited, and I was only able to catch pics of 2 of the 3 loco's, the red one ("Omaha" I believe) eluded me, but I did manage a few of 6046 and 5197 double-heading. With luck, Andy will likely have had more chance to photograph the fleet than I managed, so He may add to this thread. Keith.
.....and finally a bit nearer. As can be seen, the weather was fairly kind for a February morning with a bit of weak sunshine. As it's presently raining, We're glad we went yesterday rather than today! Keith.
Nice pictures Keith taken from a location very familiar to me in my railway days, the track on the left hand side was the line used for the sand trains on the branch after singling in 1967 along with the abolition of Boltons Sidings box and the crossing keepers hut, To the right of the reinstated former Up line worked as a run round loop where the line of trees are were exchange sidings with mainline crossover, this forming a loop with head shunt was controlled by ground frame bolt locked from Bolton's Siding signal box. these sidings were about 1400 yards in capacity and the ground frame was called Copper Works GF... hard to imagine as it was now its as all long since gone but if those trees were cleared out a lot of land would be rediscovered for the CVR.
As I was busy guarding, I didn’t take that many. Few videos which I have published else where (Facebook and Instagram) oddly, the triple header wasn’t as well patronised and had a good few empty seats. bloody good run up the hill though, 3x S160’s, 8x Mk 1 coaches and 2x class 33 ‘s on the back (as the loop isn’t big enough now so something had to guide us back down the hill!!) Not the best of photos, but this is the Leek extension. So far just 200yards. Like adding a length of flexitrack! The line to Stoke at Leek Brook Junction. Lee Brook Junction box.
Nice pictures Andy and thanks for sharing, the picture showing the start of the new Leek extension is interesting because where the new track slews onto the Down side formation is approximately where 11 Crossover road was and forming part of the tandem turnout into the Park sidings... the crossing timbers are still in situ. I wonder if the reason and thinking behind this is to extent the platform loop up over bridge 60 to connect at this point ? Hopefully they won't have to lift the south end of the loop by the tunnel thus creating the illusion of a double track line again.
I’m not entirely sure... I was surprised to see it. I know there are plans re a long loop, but I don’t think we are doing double track. I also don’t think there will be a double line at LBJ as it’s all single now... but.... once it gets a bit father along there are plans to reinstate the triangle. If but just to turn stock and ease wheel ware. I’ll ask and see if i can find out any more re the extension. Not all of it is public yet, but I have seen a proposed track plan. Didn’t show the platforms though. I’m expecting that will be a double platform possibly in a U shape. There has been talk of a single spur off in to a museum building... Martin hopes to tell the tale of the sand train in here and maybe get the PAA under cover.
No I didn't think it would be double track but if the loop starts at the tunnel end and goes up over bridge 60 to where 11 crossover was then that will look like double track... sounds good to me. I'd expect the new Leek station to have a terminus type design.
Presumably the Churnet Valley Railway already owns the trackbed or has running rights over it then Andy? Whereabouts in Leek itself would the 'new' terminus be then? I only know Leek slightly as about 10 years ago one of the jobs I worked on was at the big Dairy/Cheese factory on the opposite side of the road to Morrisons supermarket.....things may well have changed since then. Keith.
Try looking at this.. it’s a pdf file. The last page shows a map. At the bottom centre is Birchall tunnel, all 69 yards of it, which @York Paul is currently working on. morrisons is built on the old station site. So we’re blocked there. However, other than there possibly being a second line in at Leek Brook Junction to the new site, I have no more details as yet as not been made available to staff/volunteers or public. Andy
There's certainly plenty to study in that file Andy, but at least the Council appears 'On-Side' which is certainly a Plus! I don't personally know the layout shown on the map, but it looks fairly positive regarding planning consent, and it seems there are no really expensive bridges etc that would need to be provided. I'm aware that Peak Rail would like to extend past Rowsley and into Chatsworth Park, certainly the Duke of Devonshire wants it to bring more tourists in, but despite his huge fortune doesn't seem to want to part with any money, and there's no chance that Derbyshire County Council has any spare cash. Biggest obstacle I believe is that a new bridge costing probably over a million would be required to cross the A6 and that's not forthcoming.......maybe they shouldn't have demolished the original in the first place. Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing! It's strange that when the railway was initially built, the then Duke of Devonshire didn't want the railway on his land, but the adjoining Duke of Portland at Haddon Hall was happy to allow it on condition he couldn't see it, so a tunnel was built to facilitate this as the railway ran into Bakewell. Now the Duke of Devonshire wants the railway to run into Chatsworth so he can cash in on the tourists, County Council just wants to increase tourism but also have less cars in the area, and I recall after the 2008 financial crash, a radio news item shortly afterwards stating that despite the financial situation, the Duke of Devonshire had increased his personal fortune from around 720 Million to just over 800 Million! He must likely be worth going on for a Billion by now, but shows no sign of wanting to part with any money. Just like virtually all of the 'landed gentry,' they seem to think they are entitled and we should pay for their privileges! Keith.
