A RAIL37 Churnet Valley Railway picture report

 LEEKBROOK JUNCTION
19th February 2003

 Last year I photographed the lines at Leekbrook Junction which were completely overgrown. The area has now been cleared again, maybe not to running condition, but it begs the question as to why the work has been carried out? This shot shows the twin track running away South, down towards Stoke.


 Looking North towards Leek and the Cauldon line veering off to the right in the distance. On the near right is Leekbrook Signal Box and, behind the fence, is the Churnet Valley Railway headshunt.


The line in the foreground is what would (will) be the continuation of the CVR line if and when the Leek extension is completed.. The Cauldon branch runs off right where the warning boards are situated.


A closer shot.


 In the top shot the Cauldon branch just can be seen in the undergrowth. Above is a shot of two Class 25 diesels approaching the spot from the opposite direction some years ago. Actually it was sometime in the 70's but I have no idea what the exact date was but I do remember that the charter had run up from the South of England and had W prefixed stock.



 The top shot is taken from between the diverging branch lines and the lower is taken from almost the same spot. Again it was the class 25's which ran down to the headshunt where they detached, ran round and reattached for the journey back to Stoke. You will see that the access restrictions to the working were fairly relaxed, some of the rail staff with the hi-vis jackets were in control and, honest, nobody got killed. What a difference today!!


 Moving North and past the Severn Trent entrance crossing to the end of the headshunt with its buffer stop. In the distance is a tunnel the name of which I know not..


 Entrance to the tunnel with a Council name board but still no identity. "Leekbrook Line" !!!


 There are places on the embankment where the sun must never shine and this has produced a wonderful Winter display of icicles.


 Inside the tunnel and looking South it was wondrous and so cold that the picture turned as blue as I was.


 The North end of the tunnel, striking isn't it.


 Return now and this shot is taken looking South with the CVR line running to the left of the signal box and the Stoke lines veering off right.
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