Churnet valley railway

[YorkshireBear]

Just seen brief bits about an extension on cauldron low line? could anyone enlighten me as to what it is i cant seem to find much on internet?

 

[Oliver]

Just seen brief bits about an extension on cauldron low line? could anyone enlighten me as to what it is i cant seem to find much on internet?

Did you try looking at their website?

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/main/index.php

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/mcr/index.html

 

[sprinterguy]

Good lord, I didn't realise they were ready to open part of the Cauldon Lowe line already! Looks like the reopened section so far comprises the Cheddleton - Leekbrook Junction - Cauldon Lowe section, which makes sense as a simple extension of the current line.

It's all part of the Churnet Valleys' future aspirations: they are looking to operate train services commercially, using their own rolling stock, between Stoke on Trent, Leek and Cauldon Lowe. Most of the track is still in place between the current Churnet Valley Railway and these locations, but mothballed, and a lot of restoration work will be needed to make the line passible for trains.

These plans involve the construction of a new station at Leek, due to the inaccessibility of the former station I think, and another part of this scheme is the extension of the CVR southwards from Oakamoor to Alton, to tap into the lucrative tourist market at Alton Towers. They're hoping to operate trains from Stoke to Leek, and then alternately to either Cauldon Lowe or Alton.

I'm not sure what the arrangement would be at the Stoke end, as the Churnet Valley want to be able to make connections with National Rail services, but I can't see them being allowed access to Stoke station in an open access agreement similar to the NYMRs' arrangement with running to Whitby, so perhaps a small terminus station just off the existing junction with the main line.

 

[Multiple Unit]

Good lord, I didn't realise they were ready to open part of the Cauldon Lowe line already! Looks like the reopened section so far comprises the Cheddleton - Leekbrook Junction - Cauldon Lowe section, which makes sense as a simple extension of the current line.

It's all part of the Churnet Valleys' future aspirations: they are looking to operate train services commercially, using their own rolling stock, between Stoke on Trent, Leek and Cauldon Lowe. Most of the track is still in place between the current Churnet Valley Railway and these locations, but mothballed, and a lot of restoration work will be needed to make the line passible for trains.

These plans involve the construction of a new station at Leek, due to the inaccessibility of the former station I think, and another part of this scheme is the extension of the CVR southwards from Oakamoor to Alton, to tap into the lucrative tourist market at Alton Towers. They're hoping to operate trains from Stoke to Leek, and then alternately to either Cauldon Lowe or Alton.

I'm not sure what the arrangement would be at the Stoke end, as the Churnet Valley want to be able to make connections with National Rail services, but I can't see them being allowed access to Stoke station in an open access agreement similar to the NYMRs' arrangement with running to Whitby, so perhaps a small terminus station just off the existing junction with the main line.

What is the closest Main Line station to any part of the CVR I di have breif look and Blth Bridge is 6.8 miles form Froghall Stn is ther eanything closer ?

 

[sprinterguy]

What is the closest Main Line station to any part of the CVR I di have breif look and Blth Bridge is 6.8 miles form Froghall Stn is ther eanything closer ?

Yeah it looks like Blythe Bridge is the closest National Rail station to any point of the Churnet Valley as the crow flies. Would probably make for quite a pleasant walk cross-country, which is a tempting idea. Could even take in the Foxfield Railway on the way, which is much more conveniently located for Blythe Bridge station.

If anyone is after a public transport connection to the CVR though, I would imagine that they’d stand much more chance of finding a bus to Leek or elsewhere on the Churnet Valley Railway by catching the train to Stoke, but I’m unfamiliar with the bus services round that area, having only ever been up that way by car.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I like the look of the 3 week gala they have planned, may have to pop down for one of those days.

 

[Multiple Unit]

Im more looking at the DSL Gala on the 27th most probably take a taxi form blyth bridge.

 

[CosherB]

Well they'll obviously need a main line connection at Stoke for the M&C stone trains to and from Cauldon Low, so why not access to Stoke station? Failing that, a new station on the M&C line as close to Stoke station as possible, preferably within easy walking distance.

 

[YorkshireBear]

whats capacity like at stoke? is it even possible? (never been to stoke station)

 

[sprinterguy]

whats capacity like at stoke? is it even possible? (never been to stoke station)

Stoke has one platform in each direction (plus a bay at the north end used by Northern electric services from Manchester). With Virgin, Crosscountry and London Midland services, plus the EMT service to Derby via Uttoxeter, finding spare capacity would be a bit of a squeeze. If they could be accomodated at all I think Churnet Valley trains would have to be top and tailed to save time on run rounds, I think time standing in Stoke station would be very short.

Connecting the Leek line back up to the main line would be easy enough; most of the track is still in situ, albeit in a dilapidated state; and there would be space to run the Leek line parallel to the existing running lines until immediately south of Stoke station. It's Stoke station itself that would be the problem.

 

[40fan]

Stoke has one platform in each direction (plus a bay at the north end used by Northern electric services from Manchester). With Virgin, Crosscountry and London Midland services, plus the EMT service to Derby via Uttoxeter, finding spare capacity would be a bit of a squeeze. If they could be accomodated at all I think Churnet Valley trains would have to be top and tailed to save time on run rounds, I think time standing in Stoke station would be very short.

Connecting the Leek line back up to the main line would be easy enough; most of the track is still in situ, albeit in a dilapidated state; and there would be space to run the Leek line parallel to the existing running lines until immediately south of Stoke station. It's Stoke station itself that would be the problem.

The line is still connected, though most of it is overgrown now.

 

[sprinterguy]

The line is still connected, though most of it is overgrown now.

Ah, cheers, I wasn't sure if the last few yards to the mainline had been removed or not.

 

[Chris125]

It should be mentioned that the extension plans are the work of Moorland & City Railways, a seperate company to the CVR though obviously closely linked. While special events will see CVR services extended to Cauldon Lowe and probably Stoke too, current plans seem to suggest that heritage services will only be extended to Leek and hopefully Alton Towers. Freight trains will run between Stoke/NR and Cauldon Lowe and there are plans to perhaps run a park&ride service from Stoke to Alton Towers.

Going by current progress, freight trains dont seem far away but i'd be wary of getting too excited about further extensions in the near future. Securing a suitable station site near Leek and dealing with the high pressure water main under the trackbed wont happen overnight, and neither will any extension towards Alton Towers.

That said, there's plenty to be optimistic about - CVR gala's are going to be unmissable!

Chris