Churnet Valley Railway
Encyclopedia
The Churnet Valley Railway is a standard gauge
heritage railway
to the east of Stoke-on-Trent
in Staffordshire
. The CVR has two main operational headquarters - Cheddleton station
, where the motive power department is based and where the first trains ran, and Kingsley and Froghall station
, where many passengers begin their journey.
At present the railway is 5.25 miles (8.4 km) long, although trains operate over a further several miles of railway between the terminus at Leekbrook Junction and the stone quarries at Caldon Low on a semi-regular basis. This stretch of railway is owned by the Moorlands & City Railway, a commercial venture which aims to run freight trains between Caldon and the main railway network at Stoke, with an agreement that the CVR can run passenger trains over it in return for the M&CR's use of the Churnet Valley line as far as Oakamoor quarry and, in the future, Alton. This mutually beneficial arrangement will give the CVR increased prominence and status in the competitive heritage railway sector and as a tourist attractive in the North of England.
were still using the adjacent railway to move industrial sand from the quarry at Oakamoor
. British Rail ceased using the line in 1988 and the society began to arrange for the purchase of the stretch from Oakamoor to Leekbrook Junction.
The first trains ran over the preserved line between Cheddleton and Leekbrook, a distance of roughly 1 miles (1.6 km), on 24 August 1996.
is where many passengers begin their journey. Despite its name the station lies within Froghall village, Kingsley being a further mile away along the A52 road. At Froghall, a short walk away, is the canal
wharf
which is the site of some historic lime kilns.
From Kingsley & Froghall the railway passes the historic Thomas Bolton Copperworks factory (some of which is derelict with other parts still in use) and meanders through the forested valley, through Hazles Wood and Booth's Wood and on toward Consall
. The station here is sandwiched between the Caldon Canal
and the Churnet river. There is a nature reserve nearby, whilst the Black Lion public house sits on a bank overlooking the railway, canal and river. This pub is unusual in that there are no public roads leading to it. Access is on foot via the canal towpath or the railway. Consall is now fully signalled and the passing loop
allows two trains to run on special events and during high season.
Trains leaving Consall face a stiff gradient as they begin the section towards Cheddleton. Initially this section of railway too is heavily forested but after a half-mile or so the trees fall away to reveal open farmland and moorland. Trains pass the motive power depot as they arrive into Cheddleton station
, where locomotives under repair may be glimpsed in the yard. An early start of around 6AM awaits the volunteers who light up the steam locomotives of a morning here. The Grade II listed Victorian station building at Cheddleton houses a small relics museum, toilets, ticket office and waiting room. In July 2011 a new temporary catering facility was opened on the platform. A more permanent facility based on platform 2 is in the process of being funded by a public appeal with construction due to be completed by 2012. Continuing from Cheddleton, trains run past a local caravan park and through the 531 yards (486 m) tunnel, emerging at Leekbrook Junction. As the name suggests this was a junction serving railways from Stoke, Leek, Alton and the quarries at Caldon. Today there is no platform and trains terminate here. Passengers cannot alight at present. On occasion trains continue through to Caldon, using the recently reopened Moorlands & City Railway line, a distance of some seven or so miles.
The CVR also owns the trackbed between Kingsley & Froghall and Oakamoor. The railway is in situ as far as the Oakamoor sand sidings, which once served the now disused quarry. A further short stretch through the tunnel here and into Oakamoor station requires relaying before trains can run to Oakamoor once again, although this is one of the medium-term objectives of both the CVR and M&CR companies as part of the returning of trains to Oakamoor and Alton beyond.
A third objective of the M&CR is to restore the missing line of approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) between Leekbrook Junction and Leek town, where the former station has long been demolished and the land developed upon. A new station will be built here, returning trains to the town of Leek for the first time in decades. The M&CR intend on operating a commuter service between Leek and Stoke, whilst the CVR will extend their regular services into Leek, eliminating the need to terminate at Leekbrook where there are no station facilities.
Finally, the M&CR aim to operate passenger services from Stoke and/or Leek, along CVR metals and into Alton, to connect with the immensely popular tourist resort of Alton Towers
. This will require continued cooperation between both companies, upgrading the existing track between Froghall and Oakamoor sand sidings, returning rails through the tunnel and into the station at Oakamoor, and negotiating an agreement for the use of the trackbed between Oakamoor and Alton, which is currently employed as a cyclepath. The track bed is double track width, as the entire Churnet Valley line was built double track, and it is expected that trains will be allowed to operate alongside the cycle path, as has been successfully and safely achieved on other heritage railways such as the Avon Valley Railway
. The station at Alton remains entirely in tact, although privately owned, and the CVR/M&CR may operate into an all-new terminus in this village.
Beyond Froghall....
Future Extension
at Stone
to the down platform at Cheddleton station. The cottage will be used as a visitor centre incorporating a cafe, toilets and a museum. It will replace existing portacabins currently used as a shop and the temporary catering facility built in 2011. It is proposed to dismantle the existing 200-year-old listed building and have it rebuilt at Cheddleton brick-by-brick with a basement to be incorporated into the proposals. Empty since the last crossing keeper left in 1998, the building has been left derelict and vandalised. Because of the building's current close proximity to the running line at Stone, it cannot be sold or put to any other use in its present location. The portacabins located on the proposed site at Cheddleton were moved in early 2010, and the ground cleared ready for the relocation works to start. All other progress has been “behind the scenes” and has involved a long journey of essential meetings and paperwork to enable to project to proceed.
Almost immediately after the opening of Consall station
in 1998, attention turned to extending the railway’s operating line a further two miles to Kingsley & Froghall station
, an important commercial decision for the growth of the railway, as previously Cheddleton
was the only public vehicular point of access, and the station and car park were limiting the number of visitors that the railway could accommodate. A share issue was launched in the summer of 2000 in order to raise funds. 2000 saw vegetation clearance completed along with much of the drainage and track work required to bring the track into passenger operating condition. 14 October 2000 saw “top & tailed” diesel hauled passenger specials, followed shortly after by a slight setback in November 2000 after severe flood
ing damaged at least 3 sections along the extension. The following year, 2001, other works for the extension were completed, notably the run round loop at Kingsley & Froghall station
, as well as final tamping of the two miles of plain track. The main down platform that was to be used for passengers, reduced to a grassy mound following demolition by BR
, was also rebuilt. A car park and access to the adjacent A52
was also arranged. The extension was opened on 11 August 2001, extending the CVR’s passenger operations to 5.25 miles (8.4 km) and returning passenger services to Kingsley & Froghall
after a 35-year gap.
, although a new site would be required as the site of the old station is no longer accessible due to development over the years. Beyond Leek
, a supermarket access road built on the original route makes further expansion towards Rudyard Lake and the main line at North Rode
(near Macclesfield
) financially improbable for the near future. The area of Leek
where the remaining trackbed currently lies, Cornhill, is the site of a disused Cattle Market. The railway is known to be included in current regeneration talks and plans being held by the council. Approximately one mile of track would be required to link the cattle market site with the existing infrastructure in place at Leekbrook Junction. After the Froghall extension of 2001, the railway made it clear than the extension into Leek was the next priority in terms of physical expansion.
To the south, the line as far as the sand sidings at Oakamoor remains, after which there is a tunnel before Oakamoor station is reached. The track to the sidings requires upgrading for passenger use, and work on the tunnel and the rebuilding of the station site would be necessary, although it is considered viable. The railway owns the track as far as the sand sidings, the tunnel and the trackbed south being in the hands of the council.
Continuing south, the next station after Oakamoor is Alton Towers, where the station building has been restored, although it is not owned by the railway. The prospect of running trains as far as Alton is lucrative given the tourist potential provided by the popular Alton Towers
which is located nearby. This is something of a long-term prospect, however, especially as this section of track now forms part of National Route 54 of the National Cycle Network.
This four mile section (from Froghall-Alton Towers) is in principle regarded as commercially viable to reopen, and has been stated as a longer term expansion aim of Moorland & City Railways.
The next station on the route south of Alton is Denstone, though no railway has any plans to extend this far. A JCB works makes expansion south to the mainline at Uttoxeter
improbable without significant financial outlay.
line. The line is part of the Moorland & City network (see separate section) and is currently mothballed pending work to return it to a usable condition. As the Churnet Valley Railway has certain running rights on the Moorland & City network, it is feasible that potential future services could use the line.
Possible extension towards Stoke-on-Trent railway station, could see the Churnet Valley Railway interchange with commuter rail services on the West Coast Main Line as time, money and finances could allow.
Moorland and City plans to open additional sections to a new station outside of Leek and to Alton which would serve the popular Alton Towers
theme park. It would aim to operate service from Stoke (connecting with National Rail services) to Leek where services would reverse to travel either to Alton over the CVR or Cauldon Lowe.
The company will operate as a commercial profit-making venture using its own rolling stock. It has already agreed track access rights with the CVR which will provide a source of revenue for the CVR whilst the heritage railway will enjoy free access to all of the Moorland and City network.
The first non public service from the Churnet Valley Railway on to the Cauldon line left from Cheddleton station on 3 October 2010.
Locomotives off site and former residents
and an LMS Period 3 coach are also used, both on loan from the Foxfield Steam Railway. These vehicles run in BR maroon livery which is historically correct for the railway’s 1950s
/1960s
image. Currently only one rake is required for normal services.
Two Mark 1 vehicles are also used for the railway's Moorlander dining services. One is an authentic Kitchen Car, the other being a Second Open converted into a dining coach. Both coaches have recently been overhauled and repainted (between November 2009 & March 2010) into Pullman Umber/Cream following a vandal attack in 2009.
Several vehicles built earlier and later than the Mark 1s are preserved on the line, however none are currently in serviceable condition.
In addition, Mark 1 General Utility Van, W86500 is currently under restoration
Because of this, the operational fleet of freight vehicles is relatively small. They can be summarised as follows:
Restoration of wagons is done sporadically. The Coach Works directed its full resources towards eight wagons for a significant part of 2007, the majority of the vehicles which now form the demonstration freight set being restored during this period. The ballast rake was restored in 2001 and all other vehicles have been restored by individual owners at various times.
In April 2011, restoration work on brake van DB993707 started, this is currently (June 2011) the only wagon undergoing restoration work.
There are no particular times when any freight stock can be advertised as being in service, however the demonstration freight set sees occasional use during (some) galas, driver experience days and photographic charters.
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
heritage railway
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
to the east of Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. The CVR has two main operational headquarters - Cheddleton station
Cheddleton railway station
Cheddleton railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Cheddleton station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on September 1, 1849.The station was a...
, where the motive power department is based and where the first trains ran, and Kingsley and Froghall station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
, where many passengers begin their journey.
At present the railway is 5.25 miles (8.4 km) long, although trains operate over a further several miles of railway between the terminus at Leekbrook Junction and the stone quarries at Caldon Low on a semi-regular basis. This stretch of railway is owned by the Moorlands & City Railway, a commercial venture which aims to run freight trains between Caldon and the main railway network at Stoke, with an agreement that the CVR can run passenger trains over it in return for the M&CR's use of the Churnet Valley line as far as Oakamoor quarry and, in the future, Alton. This mutually beneficial arrangement will give the CVR increased prominence and status in the competitive heritage railway sector and as a tourist attractive in the North of England.
Early days
The North Staffordshire Railway Society was formed in the 1970s and bought the old goods yard at Cheddleton Station. Workshops were created there and the first locomotives arrived in 1977, although British RailBritish Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
were still using the adjacent railway to move industrial sand from the quarry at Oakamoor
Oakamoor
Oakamoor is a small village in north Staffordshire, England.Although it is now a rural area, it has an industrial past which drew on the natural resources of the Churnet valley....
. British Rail ceased using the line in 1988 and the society began to arrange for the purchase of the stretch from Oakamoor to Leekbrook Junction.
The first trains ran over the preserved line between Cheddleton and Leekbrook, a distance of roughly 1 miles (1.6 km), on 24 August 1996.
The route
Kingsley and Froghall stationKingsley and Froghall railway station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
is where many passengers begin their journey. Despite its name the station lies within Froghall village, Kingsley being a further mile away along the A52 road. At Froghall, a short walk away, is the canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
wharf
Wharf
A wharf or quay is a structure on the shore of a harbor where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.Such a structure includes one or more berths , and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships.A wharf commonly comprises a fixed...
which is the site of some historic lime kilns.
From Kingsley & Froghall the railway passes the historic Thomas Bolton Copperworks factory (some of which is derelict with other parts still in use) and meanders through the forested valley, through Hazles Wood and Booth's Wood and on toward Consall
Consall railway station
Consall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Consall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 3 March 1902...
. The station here is sandwiched between the Caldon Canal
Caldon Canal
The Caldon Canal , opened in 1779, runs 18 miles from Etruria, in Stoke-on-Trent where it leaves the Trent and Mersey Canal at the summit level, to Froghall, Staffordshire...
and the Churnet river. There is a nature reserve nearby, whilst the Black Lion public house sits on a bank overlooking the railway, canal and river. This pub is unusual in that there are no public roads leading to it. Access is on foot via the canal towpath or the railway. Consall is now fully signalled and the passing loop
Passing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
allows two trains to run on special events and during high season.
Trains leaving Consall face a stiff gradient as they begin the section towards Cheddleton. Initially this section of railway too is heavily forested but after a half-mile or so the trees fall away to reveal open farmland and moorland. Trains pass the motive power depot as they arrive into Cheddleton station
Cheddleton railway station
Cheddleton railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Cheddleton station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on September 1, 1849.The station was a...
, where locomotives under repair may be glimpsed in the yard. An early start of around 6AM awaits the volunteers who light up the steam locomotives of a morning here. The Grade II listed Victorian station building at Cheddleton houses a small relics museum, toilets, ticket office and waiting room. In July 2011 a new temporary catering facility was opened on the platform. A more permanent facility based on platform 2 is in the process of being funded by a public appeal with construction due to be completed by 2012. Continuing from Cheddleton, trains run past a local caravan park and through the 531 yards (486 m) tunnel, emerging at Leekbrook Junction. As the name suggests this was a junction serving railways from Stoke, Leek, Alton and the quarries at Caldon. Today there is no platform and trains terminate here. Passengers cannot alight at present. On occasion trains continue through to Caldon, using the recently reopened Moorlands & City Railway line, a distance of some seven or so miles.
The CVR also owns the trackbed between Kingsley & Froghall and Oakamoor. The railway is in situ as far as the Oakamoor sand sidings, which once served the now disused quarry. A further short stretch through the tunnel here and into Oakamoor station requires relaying before trains can run to Oakamoor once again, although this is one of the medium-term objectives of both the CVR and M&CR companies as part of the returning of trains to Oakamoor and Alton beyond.
Signal Boxes
Each station (or station site) currently served by passengers has a signal box, although only one is currently fully operational:- LeekLeek railway stationLeek railway station was a railway station that served the town of Leek, Staffordshire. It was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1849....
(Proposed) - Would require new signal box plus signalling on possible new site of new station in the future. - Leek BrookLeek Brook railway stationLeek Brook railway station is a closed passenger station in Staffordshire, Great Britain.-History:Leek Brook railway station was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1904. It consisted of a island platform with two faces on the line from and and a single platform on the down Leek Brook...
- Only original box standing on the line. Currently disused awaiting funding. Internally all but the lever frame itself has been removed. - CheddletonCheddleton railway stationCheddleton railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Cheddleton station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on September 1, 1849.The station was a...
- North Staffordshire Railway box relocated in 1978 from Elton. This currently houses a lever frame which allows access between the "main line" and the bay platform/motive power depot but operationally is regarded as a ground (shunt) frame, no other operational signalling equipment being present. - ConsallConsall railway stationConsall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Consall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 3 March 1902...
- The signal box originally came from Clifton, near Ashbourne and was stored for around 18 years in Cheddleton yard before moving to Consall in 2002. This is currently the only fully operational box on the railway, being commissioned in 2004 to allow two train running. - Kingsley and FroghallKingsley and Froghall railway stationKingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
- Kingsley & Froghall never had a signal box at the station, the area instead having two boxes. One was located north of the station to control Bolton's sidings (an important industrial exchange site), the other being south of the station, controlling the junction to the small Froghall Wharf branch. In preservation, a platform box (from Rushton) has been installed NSR style on the down platform where it is currently used as an office. It has no other signalling equipment inside. - OakamoorOakamoor railway stationOakamoor railway station is a closed railway station in the Churnet Valley, Staffordshire. The station was opened in 1849 as part of the Churnet Valley Line constructed by the North Staffordshire Railway...
(Proposed) - Oakamoor would require a signal box as part of a possible extension to the station itself in which it would control signalling and safety at the station in the future.
Current operations
The railway currently mostly runs the "one train staff" system, Consall box spending most of its time "switched out". The railway is split into three sections: Leekbrook Junction-Consall, Consall-Kingsley & Froghall and Kingsley & Froghall-Oakamoor. The latter, not being used for passenger trains, is protected by a stop board south of passenger operations at Froghall. Most running days see the Leekbrook Junction-Consall and Consall-Kingsley & Froghall locked together with a single engine/train in service. On peak days they can be split, Consall box opened, and a simple two train service operated.Future plans & involvement with Moorlands & City Railway
As the railway expands it is expected for more signalling to follow. The company has proposed upgrading works to Cheddleton as part of a wider development scheme for that station. Since November 2010, when the Moorlands & City Railway reopened the section from Leekbrook Junction to the site of the quarry and former station at Caldon Low, trains have operated on a semi-regular basis along this stretch of line, a feature of which is continuous steep gradients from the moment trains depart Leekbrook until the summit at Ipstones is reached. Throughout 2011 the CVR have operated steam services along this section roughly once a month. It is hoped that the M&CR will have restored the section between Leekbrook and Stoke to running order by 2012, at which point the CVR may also operate steam services along that line occasionally.A third objective of the M&CR is to restore the missing line of approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) between Leekbrook Junction and Leek town, where the former station has long been demolished and the land developed upon. A new station will be built here, returning trains to the town of Leek for the first time in decades. The M&CR intend on operating a commuter service between Leek and Stoke, whilst the CVR will extend their regular services into Leek, eliminating the need to terminate at Leekbrook where there are no station facilities.
Finally, the M&CR aim to operate passenger services from Stoke and/or Leek, along CVR metals and into Alton, to connect with the immensely popular tourist resort of Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
. This will require continued cooperation between both companies, upgrading the existing track between Froghall and Oakamoor sand sidings, returning rails through the tunnel and into the station at Oakamoor, and negotiating an agreement for the use of the trackbed between Oakamoor and Alton, which is currently employed as a cyclepath. The track bed is double track width, as the entire Churnet Valley line was built double track, and it is expected that trains will be allowed to operate alongside the cycle path, as has been successfully and safely achieved on other heritage railways such as the Avon Valley Railway
Avon Valley Railway
The Avon Valley Railway is a three-mile-long heritage railway based at Bitton station in South Gloucestershire, England, not far from Bristol and is run by a local group: The Avon Valley Railway Company Ltd. The railway follows the Avon Valley south-east from Oldland Common, through Bitton and...
. The station at Alton remains entirely in tact, although privately owned, and the CVR/M&CR may operate into an all-new terminus in this village.
Stations
- LeekLeek railway stationLeek railway station was a railway station that served the town of Leek, Staffordshire. It was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1849....
- New built station few metres close to old site
- 69 yard "Birchall Tunnel" close by
- Cauldon Low
- TBA
- Leek BrookLeek Brook railway stationLeek Brook railway station is a closed passenger station in Staffordshire, Great Britain.-History:Leek Brook railway station was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1904. It consisted of a island platform with two faces on the line from and and a single platform on the down Leek Brook...
- Currently no public access (station platform & grade two listed signal box, unrestored)
- Run round loop
- 531 yard "Cheddleton Tunnel" nearby
- Rail connection to Moorland & City Railways
- CheddletonCheddleton railway stationCheddleton railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Cheddleton station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on September 1, 1849.The station was a...
- Operational Headquarters
- Original Victorian station building
- North Staffordshire Railway museum
- Refreshment room & booking office
- Motive power depot & engine shed (open to public)
- Carriage & wagon restoration workshops (closed to public)
- "The Boat Inn" public house nearby
- ConsallConsall railway stationConsall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Consall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 3 March 1902...
- Sleepy rural station with period buildings & waiting room
- "The Black Lion" public house nearby
- Kingsley and FroghallKingsley and Froghall railway stationKingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
- North Staffordshire style rebuilt station building
- Award winning traditional tea rooms
- Picnic area
- "The Railway Inn" public house nearby
Beyond Froghall....
- Oakamoor Sand Sidings
- Limited passenger services (usually during selected special events) operated by DMUs approximately 4–6 days per year
- No passenger facilities
- Particularly scenic section of line
- "Oakamoor Tunnel"
Future Extension
- OakamoorOakamoor railway stationOakamoor railway station is a closed railway station in the Churnet Valley, Staffordshire. The station was opened in 1849 as part of the Churnet Valley Line constructed by the North Staffordshire Railway...
- TBA
- Alton TowersAlton railway stationAlton railway station is a railway station in the town of Alton, in the English county of Hampshire. The station is the terminus for two railway lines; the Alton Line which runs to Brookwood and onto London Waterloo and the Mid Hants Watercress Railway, which runs to Alresford. The latter once ran...
- TBA
- TBA
- DenstoneDenstone railway stationDenstone railway station is a closed station on the Churnet Valley railway, which served the village of Denstone in Staffordshire.-History:The Churnet Valley railway was authorised on 26 June 1846 and opened on 13 July 1849. It generally followed the course of the former Uttoxeter Canal, as it was...
- TBA
Awards
- 2008 National Railway Heritage Awards, National Express East Coast Volunteers Award, awarded for the reconstruction of the Up platform and waiting shelter at Kingsley and FroghallKingsley and Froghall railway stationKingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
. The project was joint first with the Great Central RailwayGreat Central Railway (preserved)The Great Central Railway is a heritage railway split into two adjacent sections, one in Leicestershire and the other Nottinghamshire.The Leicestershire section is currently Britain's only double track mainline heritage railway, with of working double track, period signalling, locomotives and...
. - 2005 National Railway Heritage Awards, Ian Allan Publishing Award, awarded for Consall station and signalling and Kingsley & Froghall station
Media Coverage
- In September 2011 the line featured in an episode of CountryfileCountryfileCountryfile is a British magazine-style television programme produced by BBC Birmingham, first aired on 24th July 1988, which reports on rural and environmental issues within the United Kingdom. For its first 20 years it was fronted by broadcaster John Craven, until he stepped back from the role of...
. The railway's Diesel Multiple UnitDiesel multiple unitA diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
was used for several interviews on the subject of the British "staycation effectStaycationA staycation is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays and relaxes at home, possibly taking day trips to area attractions. Staycations achieved popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2010...
". The programme featured several locations along the line, including Cheddleton & Consall stations and the demolished wire mills at Bolton's (Froghall) adjacent to the railway.
Leekbrook Junction
The 2010 activities of Moorland & City Railways (MCR) in the areas north and east of the CVR's terminus at Leekbrook Junction, have triggered (or brought forward previous) redevelopment plans for the area. The initial heritage operation of MCR's Cauldon Lowe branch would require additional infrastructure in the Leekbrook area. Whilst much infrastructure remains on MCR land, the CVR side has seen enhancements during 2010 to complement the new operations. The signal box, after years of neglect, is currently (Nov 2010) receiving external restoration work to safeguard its future use. The platform and area around the signal box has been cleared of 20 years of vegetation. A ground frame is also to be installed to control the MCR turnouts and the north set of the points that form the CVR's run round loop. The same loop is also to become a signalled passing loop.Relocation of Whitebridge Crossing cottage
In November 2008 a investigation was undertaken for the proposed relocation of Whitebridge Crossing cottage from its present location next to the West Coast main lineWest Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
at Stone
Stone, Staffordshire
Stone is an old market town in Staffordshire, England, situated about seven miles north of Stafford, and around seven miles south of the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It is the second town, after Stafford itself, in the Borough of Stafford, and has long been of importance from the point of view of...
to the down platform at Cheddleton station. The cottage will be used as a visitor centre incorporating a cafe, toilets and a museum. It will replace existing portacabins currently used as a shop and the temporary catering facility built in 2011. It is proposed to dismantle the existing 200-year-old listed building and have it rebuilt at Cheddleton brick-by-brick with a basement to be incorporated into the proposals. Empty since the last crossing keeper left in 1998, the building has been left derelict and vandalised. Because of the building's current close proximity to the running line at Stone, it cannot be sold or put to any other use in its present location. The portacabins located on the proposed site at Cheddleton were moved in early 2010, and the ground cleared ready for the relocation works to start. All other progress has been “behind the scenes” and has involved a long journey of essential meetings and paperwork to enable to project to proceed.
Kingsley & Froghall up platform
This project, lasting a little under two years from 2007 to 2009 involved the reinstatement of the “up” direction platform at Kingsley & Froghall station, all passenger services having used the opposite (down) platform since the station reopened in 2001. The project became possible in early 2007 following a £10,000 grant for a heritage trail between Consall & Froghall supplemented with financial backing from the North Staffordshire Railway Company. The rebuilding work began with the reinstatement of the section overhanging the river (about one third of the platforms length) which had been removed during the demolition of the original station. The other main part of the project was to rebuild the wooden waiting shelter, to the original 1849 design. The brick foundations had survived intact and were deemed to be in sufficiently good order to re-use, subject to some localised repairs. The wooden structure was fabricated off site to exact measurements and then assembled on the existing base. and was completed in February 2008. 2008 also saw the wall between the shelter and the end of the platform rebuilt along with the fencing covering the remainder of the platform. Resurfacing of the platform followed along with several other smaller projects including the platform lighting and signage. Access was provided with a new foot crossing at the south of the platform (there never was a footbridge), replacing a previous foot crossing at the north end deemed unsuitable for reinstatement due to safety issues regarding visibility. The project was concluded in February 2009 when the platform was used by passengers for the first time during the railway’s steam gala. Whilst the platform is now officially open, the lack of signalling at Kingsley & Froghall restricts passenger trains to the down platform except for special events.Kingsley & Froghall extension
Consall railway station
Consall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Consall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 3 March 1902...
in 1998, attention turned to extending the railway’s operating line a further two miles to Kingsley & Froghall station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
, an important commercial decision for the growth of the railway, as previously Cheddleton
Cheddleton railway station
Cheddleton railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Cheddleton station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on September 1, 1849.The station was a...
was the only public vehicular point of access, and the station and car park were limiting the number of visitors that the railway could accommodate. A share issue was launched in the summer of 2000 in order to raise funds. 2000 saw vegetation clearance completed along with much of the drainage and track work required to bring the track into passenger operating condition. 14 October 2000 saw “top & tailed” diesel hauled passenger specials, followed shortly after by a slight setback in November 2000 after severe flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing damaged at least 3 sections along the extension. The following year, 2001, other works for the extension were completed, notably the run round loop at Kingsley & Froghall station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
, as well as final tamping of the two miles of plain track. The main down platform that was to be used for passengers, reduced to a grassy mound following demolition by BR
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
, was also rebuilt. A car park and access to the adjacent A52
A52 road
The A52 is a major road in the East Midlands, England. It runs east from the junction with the A53 at Newcastle-under-Lyme near Stoke-on-Trent via Ashbourne, Derby, Stapleford, Nottingham, West Bridgford, Bingham, Grantham, Boston and Skegness before terminating on the east Lincolnshire coast at...
was also arranged. The extension was opened on 11 August 2001, extending the CVR’s passenger operations to 5.25 miles (8.4 km) and returning passenger services to Kingsley & Froghall
Kingsley and Froghall railway station
Kingsley and Froghall railway station is a passenger railway station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, England.-History:Kingsley and Froghall station, situated on the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, was opened to both passengers and goods on 1 September...
after a 35-year gap.
Northwards
To the north, a short extension could return trains to the market town of LeekLeek, Staffordshire
Leek is a market town in the county of Staffordshire, England, on the River Churnet. It is an ancient borough and was granted its royal charter in 1214.It is the administrative centre for the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council...
, although a new site would be required as the site of the old station is no longer accessible due to development over the years. Beyond Leek
Leek, Staffordshire
Leek is a market town in the county of Staffordshire, England, on the River Churnet. It is an ancient borough and was granted its royal charter in 1214.It is the administrative centre for the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council...
, a supermarket access road built on the original route makes further expansion towards Rudyard Lake and the main line at North Rode
North Rode
North Rode is a small village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census, the population of the entire civil parish was 178....
(near Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
) financially improbable for the near future. The area of Leek
Leek, Staffordshire
Leek is a market town in the county of Staffordshire, England, on the River Churnet. It is an ancient borough and was granted its royal charter in 1214.It is the administrative centre for the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council...
where the remaining trackbed currently lies, Cornhill, is the site of a disused Cattle Market. The railway is known to be included in current regeneration talks and plans being held by the council. Approximately one mile of track would be required to link the cattle market site with the existing infrastructure in place at Leekbrook Junction. After the Froghall extension of 2001, the railway made it clear than the extension into Leek was the next priority in terms of physical expansion.
Southwards
Continuing south, the next station after Oakamoor is Alton Towers, where the station building has been restored, although it is not owned by the railway. The prospect of running trains as far as Alton is lucrative given the tourist potential provided by the popular Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
which is located nearby. This is something of a long-term prospect, however, especially as this section of track now forms part of National Route 54 of the National Cycle Network.
This four mile section (from Froghall-Alton Towers) is in principle regarded as commercially viable to reopen, and has been stated as a longer term expansion aim of Moorland & City Railways.
The next station on the route south of Alton is Denstone, though no railway has any plans to extend this far. A JCB works makes expansion south to the mainline at Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter is a historic market town in Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. The current population is approximately 13,711, though new developments in the town will increase this figure. Uttoxeter lies close to the River Dove and is near the cities of Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and...
improbable without significant financial outlay.
Eastwards
East of Leekbrook Junction is the 8 mile Cauldon Lowe line, which serves the quarries at Caldon. It joined the line with a triangle, a single leg of which is still in situ. The line is part of the Moorland & City network (see separate section) and re-opened in a heritage capacity in November 2010. As the Churnet Valley Railway has certain running rights on the Moorland & City network, it is feasible that potential future services could use the line, however the line serves very little other than the quarries.Westwards
West of Leekbrook Junction is the 10 mile Stoke-on-TrentStoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
line. The line is part of the Moorland & City network (see separate section) and is currently mothballed pending work to return it to a usable condition. As the Churnet Valley Railway has certain running rights on the Moorland & City network, it is feasible that potential future services could use the line.
Possible extension towards Stoke-on-Trent railway station, could see the Churnet Valley Railway interchange with commuter rail services on the West Coast Main Line as time, money and finances could allow.
Moorland and City Railway Ltd
Moorland and City Railways is a commercial company set up by some of the directors of the Churnet Valley Railway with the aim of re-opening the line from Stoke-on-Trent to Cauldon Lowe. The company has already taken ownership of the entirety of the route with the exception of Leek-Brook junction which is owned by the Churnet Valley Railway. The company has already begun work on the section from Leek-Brook Junction to Cauldon-Lowe which opened for a steam gala operated by the CVR on 13 November 2010.Moorland and City plans to open additional sections to a new station outside of Leek and to Alton which would serve the popular Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
theme park. It would aim to operate service from Stoke (connecting with National Rail services) to Leek where services would reverse to travel either to Alton over the CVR or Cauldon Lowe.
The company will operate as a commercial profit-making venture using its own rolling stock. It has already agreed track access rights with the CVR which will provide a source of revenue for the CVR whilst the heritage railway will enjoy free access to all of the Moorland and City network.
The first non public service from the Churnet Valley Railway on to the Cauldon line left from Cheddleton station on 3 October 2010.
Steam locomotives
| Number | Type | Livery | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1827 | Beyer Peacock 0-4-0 | Lined Black | Under Overhaul | Contract Overhaul - normally based at Foxfield Railway. |
| 5197 | S160 USATC S160 Class The United States Army Transportation Corps S160 Class is a class of 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive designed for use in Europe during World War II for heavy freight work... 2-8-0 |
USA Black | Static Display | Taken out of service in December 2009 following expiration of boiler ticket. |
| 5199 | Large Prairie GWR 5101 Class The GWR 5101 Class or Large Prairie was a class of 2-6-2T steam locomotives of the Great Western Railway. They were medium-sized tank engines used for suburban and local passenger services all over the Great Western Railway system... 2-6-2 |
BR Lined Green | Operational | Visiting - normally based at Llangollen Railway Llangollen Railway The Llangollen Railway is a volunteer-run preserved railway in Denbighshire, Wales, which operates between Llangollen and Carrog; at long, it is the longest preserved standard gauge line in Wales and operates daily in Summer as well as weekends throughout the Winter months using a wide variety of... . |
| 6046 | S160 USATC S160 Class The United States Army Transportation Corps S160 Class is a class of 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive designed for use in Europe during World War II for heavy freight work... 2-8-0 |
N/A | Under Overhaul | Completion expected 2012. |
| 44767 | Black 5 LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 The London Midland and Scottish Railway's Class 5 4-6-0, almost universally known as the Black Five, is a class of steam locomotive. It was introduced by William Stanier in 1934 and 842 were built between then and 1951... 4-6-0 |
BR Lined Black | Operational | Visiting - normally based at NYMR North Yorkshire Moors Railway The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a heritage railway in North Yorkshire, England. First opened in 1836 as the Whitby and Pickering Railway, the railway was planned in 1831 by George Stephenson as a means of opening up trade routes inland from the then important seaport of Whitby. The line... . |
| 48173 | 8F LMS Stanier Class 8F The London Midland and Scottish Railway's 8F class 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive is a class of steam locomotive designed for hauling heavy freight... 2-8-0 |
N/A | Dismantled awaiting overhaul | Long-term project. Restoration likely after completion of 6046. |
Locomotives off site and former residents
| Number | Type | Livery | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44422 | 4F LMS Fowler Class 4F The London Midland and Scottish Railway Fowler 4F is a class of 0-6-0 steam locomotive designed for medium freight work. They represent the ultimate development of Midland Railway's six coupled tender engines.- Background :... 0-6-0 |
BR black | Operational | Former resident locomotive. Currently at the Nene Valley Railway Nene Valley Railway The Nene Valley Railway is a preserved railway in Cambridgeshire, England, running between Peterborough Nene Valley and Yarwell Junction. The line is currently seven and a half miles in length... . May return to the CVR in the future. |
| 68030 | Hunslet Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST The Hunslet Engine Company Austerity 0-6-0ST is a steam locomotive designed for shunting. The class became the standard British shunting locomotive during the Second World War, and production continued until 1964 at various locomotive manufacturers.... 0-6-0 |
BR black | Operational | On loan to Strathspey Railway. |
| 80136 | 4MT BR standard class 4 tank The British Railways Standard Class 4 tank was a class of steam locomotive, one of the BR standard classes built during the 1950s. They were used primarily on commuter and outer suburban services.- Background :... 2-6-4T |
BR Lined Black | Awaiting Overhaul | Former resident. Currently at Crewe Heritage Centre. |
| 92134 | 9F BR standard class 9F The British Railways BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for British Railways by Robert Riddles. The Class 9F was the last in a series of standardised locomotive classes designed for British Railways during the 1950s, and was intended for use on fast, heavy freight... 2-10-0 |
BR Black | Under Restoration | Undergoing restoration at LNWR Crewe. Long-term project. |
Diesel locomotives
| Number | Name | Type | Livery | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightside Brightside, South Yorkshire Brightside is an industrial area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England lying on a hill north of Attercliffe and the River Don.Brightside was recorded in the fifteenth century as "Brekesherth", when it was home to some mills... |
Yorkshire Engine Company Yorkshire Engine Company The Yorkshire Engine Company was a small independent locomotive manufacturer in Sheffield, England. The Company was formed in 1865 and continued to produce locomotives and carry out general engineering work until 1965... 0-4-0 |
Black | Under Repair | Currently dismantled for engine overhaul | |
| 6 | Roger H. Bennett | Yorkshire Engine Company Yorkshire Engine Company The Yorkshire Engine Company was a small independent locomotive manufacturer in Sheffield, England. The Company was formed in 1865 and continued to produce locomotives and carry out general engineering work until 1965... "Janus" 0-6-0 |
NCB Blue | Operational | ~ |
| D2334 | Class 04 British Rail Class 04 The British Rail Class 04 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunting locomotive class was built between 1952 and 1962 and was the basis for the later Class 03 built in the British Railways workshops. The Class 04 locomotives were supplied by the Drewry Car Co., which at the time had no manufacturing... |
Green | Operational | ~ | |
| 25322 | Tamworth Castle Tamworth Castle Tamworth Castle, a Grade I listed building, is a Norman castle, located next to the River Tame, in the town of Tamworth in Staffordshire, England.... |
Class 25 British Rail Class 25 The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives were also known as Sulzer Type 2 and nicknamed Rats, as it was alleged they could be seen everywhere in Britain, and hence were "as common as rats"... |
"Ice Cream Van" Blue | Static Display | Cosmetically restored in 2008 |
| 33021 | Class 33 British Rail Class 33 The British Rail Class 33 also known as the BRCW Type 3 or Crompton is a class of Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives ordered in 1957 and built for the Southern Region of British Railways between 1960 and 1962.... |
Blue | Operational | On loan from Tysley | |
| 33102 | Sophie (Unofficial) | Class 33 British Rail Class 33 The British Rail Class 33 also known as the BRCW Type 3 or Crompton is a class of Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives ordered in 1957 and built for the Southern Region of British Railways between 1960 and 1962.... |
Blue | Under Restoration | Receiving major bodywork overhaul. Currently the main diesel project |
| 37075 | Class 37 British Rail Class 37 The British Rail Class 37 is a diesel-electric locomotive. Also known as the English Electric Type 3, the Class was ordered as part of the British Rail modernisation plan.... |
Blue | Operational | ~ | |
| 37407 | Class 37 British Rail Class 37 The British Rail Class 37 is a diesel-electric locomotive. Also known as the English Electric Type 3, the Class was ordered as part of the British Rail modernisation plan.... |
Transrail Grey | Stored | ~ | |
| 37424 | Class 37 British Rail Class 37 The British Rail Class 37 is a diesel-electric locomotive. Also known as the English Electric Type 3, the Class was ordered as part of the British Rail modernisation plan.... |
Transrail Grey | Stored | ~ | |
| 47524 | Class 47 British Rail Class 47 The British Rail Class 47, is a class of British railway diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in the 1960s by Brush Traction. A total of 512 Class 47s were built at Crewe Works and Brush's Falcon Works, Loughborough between 1962 and 1968, which made them the most numerous class of British... |
Rail Express Systems | Stored | Restoration to continue following completion of 33102 | |
Diesel Multiple Units
| Number(s) | Class | Type | Livery | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M50455/E59701/M50517 | Class 104 British Rail Class 104 The British Rail Class 104 diesel multiple units were built by Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company from 1957 to 1959.The first units ordered were for the London Midland Region, with the majority of the class for use in North West of England with sets also in Tyneside... /Class 110 British Rail Class 110 The Class 110 diesel multiple units were built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company in conjunction with the Drewry Car Co. to operate services on the former Lancashire and Yorkshire main line, and spent their entire careers based around this same area. This earned them the name of... |
DMBS/TSL/DMCL | Green | Operational | E59701 on loan from Wensleydale Railway Wensleydale Railway The Wensleydale Railway is a railway line in Wensleydale and Lower Swaledale in North Yorkshire, England and the name of the company that operates services on the line.... |
| M59137 | Class 104 | TCL | Green | Under Restoration | ~ |
| 977391/977392 | Class 101 British Rail Class 101 The British Rail Class 101 diesel multiple units were built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath in Birmingham from 1956 to 1959, following construction of a series of prototype units. This class proved to be the most successful and longest-lived of all BR's First Generation DMUs, with the final five... |
Departmental (PWay) unit | Yellow | Stored | ~ |
| ADB977554 | Class 104 | DTCL | Blue | Stored | Last used for demonstration Sandite Sandite Sandite is a substance used on railways in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands to combat leaves on the line, which can cause train wheels to slip and become damaged with flat spots... trains in 2008 |
| 53437/M53494 | Class 104 | DMBS/DMCL | NSE/Blue | Stored | ~ |
Coaching Stock
Coaching Stock in use on passenger trains currently consists almost entirely of Ex-BR Mark 1 vehicles, four or five being a typical rake. A 1966 built BR Mark 2British Rail Mark 2
The Mark 2 family of railway carriages were British Rail's second design of carriages. They were built by British Rail workshops between 1964 and 1975...
and an LMS Period 3 coach are also used, both on loan from the Foxfield Steam Railway. These vehicles run in BR maroon livery which is historically correct for the railway’s 1950s
1950s
The 1950s or The Fifties was the decade that began on January 1, 1950 and ended on December 31, 1959. The decade was the sixth decade of the 20th century...
/1960s
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
image. Currently only one rake is required for normal services.
Two Mark 1 vehicles are also used for the railway's Moorlander dining services. One is an authentic Kitchen Car, the other being a Second Open converted into a dining coach. Both coaches have recently been overhauled and repainted (between November 2009 & March 2010) into Pullman Umber/Cream following a vandal attack in 2009.
Several vehicles built earlier and later than the Mark 1s are preserved on the line, however none are currently in serviceable condition.
| Number | Type | Livery | Set Used In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E4354 | Tourist Second Open | Maroon | Main operating rake | ~ |
| S4392 | Tourist Second Open | Maroon | Spare rake | ~ |
| 4779 | Second Open | Umber/Cream | Dining rake | Converted into dining coach for Moorlander services. Overhauled & repainted 2009 |
| M5175 | Mk2 Tourist Second Open | Maroon | Main operating rake | On loan from Foxfield Steam Railway |
| E13236 | First Open | Maroon | Main operating rake | Entered service 20/11/10 following a 3 year rebuild (from scrap condition) including conversion from a First Corridor (FK) |
| M16155 | Corridor Composite | Maroon | Main operating rake | Repainted 2009 |
| 27249 | LMS Open Third | Maroon | Spare rake | On loan from Foxfield Steam Railway |
| M35343 | Brake CorridorSecond | Maroon | Main operating rake | Overhauled & Repainted 2007 |
| M35473 | Brake Corridor Second | Maroon | Spare rake | ~ |
| 80030 | Restaurant Corridor | Umber | Dining rake | Overhauled & repainted 2010 |
| W86197 | General Utility Van | Maroon | Used for special events only | ~ |
In addition, Mark 1 General Utility Van, W86500 is currently under restoration
Freight Vehicles
Typically for a railway of this size, the CVR does not yet have a dedicated wagon restoration group, maintenance of a nucleus of essential vehicles being undertaken by the more established Coach Works. Operational wagons tend to be examples which have an essential function rather than historical importance alone.Because of this, the operational fleet of freight vehicles is relatively small. They can be summarised as follows:
- Rake of 4 Dogfish/Catfish ballast wagons used exclusively for track renewal.
- "Demonstration Freight" set consisting of five 4 wheel vans, an open "tube" wagon, a 4 wheel oil tanker & bogie bolster. All are in BR Bauxite livery except the tanker and bogie bolster which are black & grey respectively. The five vans in this rake have the dual purpose of being storage areas, and the bolster can carry large items on top. This rake is often complemented by a standard LMS Brake Van (also bauxite) which is currently (April 2011) the only fully operational brake van on the railway.
- Several vans & well wagons exist around the railway, externally restored but not used in trains.
Restoration of wagons is done sporadically. The Coach Works directed its full resources towards eight wagons for a significant part of 2007, the majority of the vehicles which now form the demonstration freight set being restored during this period. The ballast rake was restored in 2001 and all other vehicles have been restored by individual owners at various times.
In April 2011, restoration work on brake van DB993707 started, this is currently (June 2011) the only wagon undergoing restoration work.
There are no particular times when any freight stock can be advertised as being in service, however the demonstration freight set sees occasional use during (some) galas, driver experience days and photographic charters.
Supporting groups on the CVR
- 4F Loco Fund (44422)
- BRCW Group (DMUs)
- Churnet Valley Model Railway Department
- Churnet Valley Railway Telecomms Department
- ST4 Group (D1842 & 47524)