Hi all. Today myself and Jenny spent the day at the Churnet Valley Railway, near leek in North Staffordshire. The line runs for 10 1/2 miles from Kingsley Froghall Station to Ipstones Loop, The Ipstones Branch is currently still owned by the MCR (Moorland & City Railway). Our day started at 8:30am as me and Jenny both woke up and went down stairs to say good morning to her parents. After breakfast we got ready and set off from Jenny's house at 10:30am, arriving at Cheddleton CVR Station at 11:04am. Tickets purchased it was time to wait as 5197, the locomotive in service for the day was shunting coaches to form her train for the day.
| "Smile Now !!" |
The end for the day was USA S160 Class 2-8-0 Locomotive No. 5197. Whilst there are 2 S160's based at CVR, only 5197 was there during our visit, this was due to 6046 being on loan to West Somerset Railway for their summer season. After 5197 had formed her train, we boarded and found a compartment seat and sat down to wait for the delayed 11:15 departure to Froghall via Consall. At 11:30am, we departed bound for Consall Station. The line follows the canal and river to Froghall, crossing over both several times along the route.
Before long we arrived at Consall, where our train stopped for a moment, a quick toot from the guard whistle and a reply from 5197 and we were on our way once again with our final destination...Froghall. Surprisingly, whilst Froghall station might look original, but in fact is actually a replica of the original station that was demolished by BR in the 60s.
| "Black Lion Pub, Consall" |
We soon arrived at Froghall where the train stopped so the locomotive could be uncoupled to run round its train for the return trip to Cheddleton. After a quick look in the gift shop, we went to admire 5197 who had already run round her train whilst me and Jenny were in the gift shop. After a 5 minute wait for departure we set off on the return run bound for Consall and eventually Cheddleton.
Before long we arrived back at Consall we bidded fair well to 5197 and her train and went to 'The Black Lion Pub' for lunch. After lunch, it was time to head back to the station to catch the last train of the day back to Cheddleton. But typical British weather struck as it started to rain, after a slight soaking we arrived back on Consall Station and in the distance, the unmistakable sound of an American Chime Whistle could be heard. She gently rolled into Consall Station with her train bound for Froghall.
Having boarded the train and a quick blast on the whistle from the guard, 5197 replied once again and we set off, for the final run into Froghall. On arrival at Froghall, 5197 was uncoupled once again and proceeded to run round and take water, before being re-coupled to the other end of her train for the return to Cheddleton.
After a quick look in the gift shop...again... This time I actually bought a DVD!! It was time to reboard the train for the run back to Cheddleton. Before long the sound of 5197's whistle marked our departure towards Cheddleton with a brief stop at Consall. As we neared Cheddleton, our train passed straight through the station to Leekbrook Junction where the locomotive was uncoupled to run round once more with our train terminating at Cheddleton. Well after another enjoyable day, its time for me to dry out after some pretty soggy weather weather.Thanks Jen for another enjoyable day, Jake...
