Churnet Valley Railway

[Masbroughlad]

Thinking about a trip on the Churnet Valley Railway this Saturday.

Does Froghall station have plenty of parking?

What time does the station café at Froghall open? Does it do breakfasts? Fancy something before joining the 1030 departure.

Are Saturdays busy? Particularly Summer ones. I think the 1030 departure is diesel hauled? Appeals to me, but not those wanting the steam experience?

Any thoughts, ideas, tips on a visit there would be gratefully received.

As ever, thanks in advance.

 

[xotGD]

I was there a few weeks ago on a Saturday.

Taking your points in turn:

Plenty of parking.

I arrived just after 9:30 and the station was just opening up. By the time I bought my ticket the cafe was open. I don't know what breakfast items are available as I just had a coffee.

10:30 train was busy, including at least one coach party. It is diesel hauled on a Saturday - it was the 47 when I went but could also be a 33. Steam in the afternoon.

I think there is a sort of meal deal available if you book in advance - there were bags of food being handed out to some passengers. Also, there is a big focus on the on-train dining element. I would describe the railway as a catering operation that also happens to run some trains!

Enjoy your visit!

 

[Jamesrob637]

I volunteer here - its a great operation. Please feel free to ask anything you like

1) Parking at Froghall is just off the A52 and is ample.
2) The cafe opens around 09:15 and it does oatcakes but no Full English or the like
3) Saturdays are a little busier than Sundays in my experience
4) The 10:30 departure on Saturdays is indeed diesel hauled until the end of the school holidays in a fortnight.

 

[Masbroughlad]

Thanks for the information.

We've been and thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Churnet Valley Railway.

A very well run, clean, professional, tidy set up. We'll definitely go back.

And Class 33 haulage to boot. One of my favourite classes of loco!

 

[xotGD]

So the 33 is back in action.

I'll try for it again next summer!

 

[Masbroughlad]

So the 33 is back in action.

I'll try for it again next summer!

Indeed it is. 33 102 'Sophie' seemed to be running well.

(Don't know why the 33s appeal so much to me. Maybe because growing up in the 70s and 80s in Yorkshire, we never saw them. Excitement of a Lima model on my layout and then actually getting haulage on a day out with my Dad once - Exeter to Waterloo!)

 

[JBuchananGB]

I had a nice ride on the Churnet Valley railway on the 4th June followed by lunch at the Plumicorn at Consall Hall Estate.

Consall Hall Gardens has undergone an exciting restoration project to return the gardens to peak condition. Many of the original features have been returned to their former glory and we continue to rediscover the original landscaping design of these magnificent gardens.

If you would like to take a stroll through the gardens, why not book a table at our fantastic hotel restaurant The Plumicorn. You can explore the surroundings before settling down to enjoy a fabulous meal.

Another nice looking side trip looks like the Consall Nature Park.

Some of the richest areas botanically are the wet flushes, these are alive with colour in the Spring, Marsh Marigold and Butterbur being in abundance.. Further habitat diversity is provided by largely unimproved grassland, the interesting Bilberry-rich heath on Far Kingsley Banks, and the pools and streams. The latter support amphibians such as Smooth and Palmate newts, as well as a range of dragonflies, damselflies, mayflies, stoneflies and other aquatic insects. Overall, the Nature Park’s seclusion and habitat diversity are reflected in a rich fauna, with a number of species of mammals and a large variety of butterflies. These include the uncommon Green Hairstreak and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary. Other insects such as hoverflies are well represented, and so too are the reptiles, with Grass Snakes being spotted regularly, during the summer, around the pools. Among the 70 or so species of bird noted to dateare the relatively uncommon Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Woodcock and Tree Pipit, along with the full range of woodland songbirds. All three species of Woodpecker can be seen or more often heard, around the park. Also, Dippers and Kingfishers can often be observed feeding in the river or nearbystreams.