A RAIL37
Churnet Valley Railway picture report
CHEDDLETON
- FROGHALL
THE
INAUGURAL SPECIAL, 14/10/2000. |
Cheddleton, 11.15am on
the 14th October 2000 and the first train to carry passengers
down the valley to Froghall left the station in driving rain.
The train was operating to publicise the launch of the latest
share issue to raise funding for the restoration of passenger
services to Froghall. Details can be obtained from the Churnet
Valley Railway
at Cheddleton Station. Hauling the train was the recently restored
Class 20 number D8154 (20154) looking resplendent in its green
livery, with Class 25 number D7672 "Tamworth Castle"
attached to the rear. Topping and tailing was necessary because
there is no runround facility at Froghall and push-pull not a
practical alternative. I decided to meet the train at Froghall,
where the history was to be made and because I had waited 30 years
for the event, never really believing it could really happen.
It did happen, and the following are some of the photographs I
took in what could not have been worse weather.
Class 20 number
D8154 appeared under the road bridge issuing forth the clag ,
the umbrella on the platform tells it all.
The
Class 20 carried on up the track to allow "Tamworth Castle"
to clear the bridge.
Class 25 number
D7672 "Tamworth Castle" appeared at the rear
of the smart, five coach, maroon liveried train.
"Tamworth
Castle" ticked over patiently while waiting for the return
journey. The beauty of the countryside is illustrated here.
Approaching
12.15 and staff reboard the train for the return trip to Cheddleton.
Passengers could not leave the train because there is no platform
at Froghall. Indeed, the special was run to market the launch
of a share issue to finance the full restoration of passenger
services to Froghall.
Driver
Terry Essery keeps his watchful eye on the train.
Terry and "Knotty"
Editor (amongst other things) Chris Proctor receive a detailed
explanation from Roger Spencer. Apparently Chris said he could
see no 'arm in it. (Note the headcode switching).
D7672
"Tamworth Castle" is, despite its urgent need
of a repaint, a very photogenic locomotive.
The departure
for Cheddleton and D8154 disappears under the road bridge still
issuing forth the clag!