Saturday's "Heritage Open Day" provided the first public train to visit Leek since the town's original station fell victim of the Beeching axe in 1965. It was top & tailed by the huge class 2-8-0 S160 steam engine no 6046, built in Philadelphia in 1945, and the former BR class 33 diesel locomotive 33102 "Sophie".
A late breakfast was enjoyed on a leisurely run from Kingsley & Froghall to the run round loop at Ipstones, the line beyond to Cauldon Low having now been lifted. The train then reversed and took the recently reinstated Leek Brook East Jn to Leek Brook North Jn curve, making it the curve's first revenue earning passenger train since 1935. This soon joined the direct line from Leek Brook, again reinstated, after which the train passed through the Birchall tunnel before arriving at the temporary platform at Leek.
The reversal at Ipstones meant that the diesel engine was leading at this point, followed by three non-dining coaches which were not in use on this dining only trip. This meant that the two dining coaches and the steam engine did not fit into the platform. Given the high price of coal these days, I'm not sure why these three additional coaches were in the rake.
Nevertheless gricers aboard were not to be disappointed. The train reversed to Leek Brook Jn, thus completing the three sides of the Leek Brook triangle and then diverted on to the former line to Stoke-on-Trent where it continued for a short distance to the NR boundary. This usage was again a first for the CVR. Next the train reversed back to Leek Brook East Jn where it reversed again to get back to Leek, steam engine and dining cars now leading.
Passengers then detrained to explore the site of the future Leek station, yet to be built. Unfortunately this stop coincided with the only rain shower of the day. Sturdy footwear was the order of the day as the site was quite muddy. CVR's guide for the day then gave a short and very interesting talk on the difficulties encountered both running the railway and building the extension.
The train then reversed to make a rare alighting stop at Leek Brook station, thus completing a second circumnavigation of the eponymous triangle. Keen photographers were then escorted up to the junction for two run pasts with the S160 leading up the curve on to the Ipstones line.
After the run pasts the train stopped at Cheddleton for an interesting tour of the workshops and sheds. It then returned to Kingsley & Froghall.
This completed a very enjoyable day out, particularly geared to rail enthusiasts and excellent value at £69.99. Future trips are planned on 29 Mar, 26 Apr, 31 May and 27 Sep. Leek station is unlikely to open for some time yet so these "Heritage Open Days" afford the only opportunity to do the new lines for the foreseeable future.
My only minor complaint was the fact that the only available toilet on the train did not flush.
