A RAIL37 Churnet Valley Railway picture report

CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY DAY OUT

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I had cause to go to Stafford on 30th August and remembered that this was the last mid week operating day at Cheddleton for Summer 2000 - I had to visit. 80136 was on duty with visiting loco 48305 misbehaving and 44422 now out of ticket and withdrawn for overhaul. I arrived at 11.45 to find the car park quite full and much steam and hooting coming from the station where 80136 was preparing to take out the first train of the day.

The trains run to Consall, perform a runround manoeuvre then run back to Cheddleton where they pass through to Leekbrook. Here the locomotive repeats its run round and hauls the train back to Cheddleton. I decided to miss this one and photograph it by the River Churnet on its return, but first a visit to photograph 80136 on the starting blocks and then the Cafeteria for something to eat.

The Cafeteria is terrific with a wide selection of food and drinks on offer - well worth a visit and very nice and clean.

Down to the river side now which means a walk over the Churnet bridge and onto the Cauldon Canal towpath, past the Boat Inn (nice meals here) and along the river bank to find a decent spot. The problem is that the train is coming from the South out of the sun and the river is between me and the line so a telephoto passing shot is the only possibility today.

Back to the station now, past the moored narrow boats on the canal and up to the crossing gates in time to catch the train entering Cheddleton Station boiler first - quite full it is too.

Time to board the train which leaves at 13.10 for a round trip of just under one hour and a quick chat with driver Terry Essery who I have known for many years. Terry tells me that there is trouble up the line again with stray sheep, an old problem on the valley line. We set off dead on time and quickly get up to our maximum train speed of 25 m.p.h. which is general to preserved railways operating under a light railway order. This is quite fast enough to allow passengers to see the glorious countryside that surrounds Cheddleton and recreate the days of steam when such trains seemed to trundle everywhere without apparent urgency. The pace is soon checked and the locomotive hooter is sounded in one continuous shrill note - either it's stuck or Terry's friends are back. A glance out of the window reveals two woolly jumpers scampering up the embankment, the grazing must be good on the lineside .

The train formation includes a buffet car which, like the Cafeteria, carries an excellent selection of food and drinks and always with very friendly staff.

The general condition of the stock is very good and very comfortable to ride in, not at all claustrophobic as modern unit stock appears to be these days.

At Consall the train performs its runround procedure which gives passengers time to get off and watch the proceedings or have a quick look around.

Back onto the train and, apart from a repeat of the sheep problem, the journey is pleasant and uneventful. The train would normally pass through Cheddleton without stopping but today we stop for the engine to take on water from the water tower just outside the station. This gives passengers a chance to see some of the collection of rolling stock lined up adjacent to the loco shed, this includes the recently repainted Class 20 and Class 25 "Tamworth Castle"

The visiting Class 8F, 2-8-0 number 48305 can be seen at the back of the shed yard. The smokebox door is not burned but merely reflecting the shed door in the gloss paint

Off again to Leekbrook and passing through 351 yards of Cheddleton tunnel is quite an experience with the loco doing its stuff at the time. Leekbrook is the junction with Railtrack's line from Stoke-on-Trent to Cauldon Lowe quarries, the track is in situ and there is a threat to reopen the line for traffic in the near future. The Churnet Valley line is not accessible from the main line at this point in time but who knows what the future will bring! Once again the loco performs its runround jaunt but there is no possibility to disembark here. In the distance can be seen the derelict signal box which once controlled this busy junction, the Churnet Valley Line ran North through Leek and past Rudyard Lake to join the Stoke-Manchester line and South for Alton Towers, Uttoxeter and London. Alongside the track is a wire fence behind which once ran an electric tram to Cheddleton Hospital. Back to Cheddleton and a spirited run which passes by a caravan park which boasts its own fishing lake, very neat and tidy it looks too.

Regrettably, the signal box was not open because there was nobody available that day to supervise access and ensure the safety of visitors.

The shed contains original NSR relics notably the battery locomotive which used to work at the Thomas Bolton copper works at Oakamoor further down the valley, this, together with NSR 0-6-0T No 2, is on loan from the National Rail Museum at York.

There is no doubt about the scenic beauty of the area and this shot shows the picnic area. Those who have watched "The Street" for some years will know it as the spot where Alf Roberts and Curly Watts went fishing some years ago and one of them fell in!