A RAIL37 Churnet Valley Railway picture report

VALLEY WANDERINGS 14th JULY 2002

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Summer comes to the Churnet Valley and I joined the throng of people all bent on having a good day out. I joined the train at Froghall to go to Cheddleton for a lunch at The Boat Inn - very nice it was too. Next was a tramp along the canal towpath to take a few shots of the 12.54 from Froghall. In this shot the train, with 68030 in charge, is romping across the meadows while approaching Cheddleton Station from Froghall.

There was plenty of time to return to the station before the next train departed for Froghall. Here, the train has just arrived from its reversal at Leekbrook and 08 shunter D3991 can be seen parked in the bay platform.

At Froghall 68030 reversed onto its train to form the 14.14 for Cheddleton. One of the clowns present can be seen entertaining the children. These characters seem to be very popular judging by the children's faces.

When I left Froghall for Cheddleton, the telephone exchange could be seen in normal guise. When I returned it was looking a healthy shade of green.

I decided to indulge in a degree of nostalgia and journeyed South to have a look at what is left of Oakamoor Station. This shot is taken from the South end of the platforms looking North. The short bay can be seen on the left with the up platform just visible on the right.

This little gem was taken from almost the same spot sometime in the 70's and features a sponsored walk to raise funds for the railway. Some faces you may recognise but I am keeping quiet!

Another shot of Oakamoor looking North and the buildings were situated just to the left of the camera. Through the trees in the centre was the point at which the siding for Bolton's copper mill veered off to the right. This was where the battery locomotive, currently at Cheddleton, used to operate.

Taken from almost the same spot, back in the 1950's, this view of Oakamoor Station reveals Bolton's sidings and the tunnel in the distance. Just visible are the road crossing gates and the signal box now all long gone. If you know where to look, the signal box base can just be identified. Does anyone know when it will all reopen?

The approach to the station is along the trackbed where the surface has been nicely paved to allow motor vehicles to gain access to the site. When the station was operational the access was via a bridge over the Churnet which has recently been removed for safety reasons. The supporting stoneworks can be seen in this shot.

At the extreme North end can be seen the entrance to Oakamoor Tunnel, now fenced off. Many years ago when we were still dreaming about reopening the line, a group of us walked the tunnel to see what condition it was in. The idea was to use the tunnel for stock storage! From memory it was very sound but somewhat hazardous because it curves and there is a point at which neither end can be seen. Add to this the fact that there are open drains along the centre and it becomes somewhat scary.

I couldn't venture so far into the valley without calling at Alton and take yet another shot from under the bridge. Repetitive yes, classic, very.