Churnet Valley Railway
Template:Short description Template:Multiple issues Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox heritage railway Template:Churnet Valley Railway
The Churnet Valley Railway is a preserved standard gauge heritage railway running through the Staffordshire Moorlands and the valley of the River Churnet in Staffordshire, England. It operates along part of the former Churnet Valley Line, which was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1849, and the Waterhouses branch line which opened in 1905. The section from Kingsley and Froghall to Leek closed to passengers in January 1965 and to freight from Oakamoor to Stoke-on-Trent in 1988; and the Waterhouses branch closed to passenger traffic in 1935, with the final freight running in 1988. The preservation society began in 1971 with a small demonstration line in the goods yard at Cheddleton, before beginning operations over the former Churnet Valley Line in 1996 following withdrawal of the final freight services in 1988.
The line is roughly Template:Convert long from Kingsley & Froghall to Ipstones. The line from Leek Brook Junction to Ipstones was opened by Moorland & City Railways (MCR) in 2010 after they took a lease out from Network Rail. This has subsequently been purchased by the Churnet Valley Railway. The main stations along the line are Kingsley and Froghall, Consall, Cheddleton, Leek Brook and Ipstones (which is only used as a run around loop).
An extension to the town of Leek which will act as the northern terminus of the CVR was completed in late 2024.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Preservation history
Early days of preservation: Cheddleton station (1964–1977)
The Cheshire and Staffordshire Railway Society (C&SRS) was formed in the 1970s by Ken Simpson and others to try to save some of the lines built by the old NSR, which first began to close in 1964. Their original target was the Biddulph Valley route which branched north from the Stoke-Leek line at Milton Junction, and headed north to Biddulph Wharf and Congleton, but Cheshire County Council showed only lukewarm interest. Leek station was also considered for a heritage line north of Rudyard Lake but was demolished in 1973.<ref>Leek Library, newspaper cuttings 1972–8, pp. 78, 119.</ref> The society then aimed to re-open the Oakamoor to Alton Towers section, using the former Oakamoor Tunnel for stock storage.
The council intended to demolish the station at Cheddleton in April 1974, but local businessman and parish councillor Norman Hancock parked his car on the level crossing in front of the bulldozers, preventing the demolition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This delay allowed the building to be Grade II listed on 14 May 1974 after a campaign by the C&SRS, Sir John Betjeman and the Victorian Society. In 1976 the former station building was let to the C&SRS to use as a museum.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The C&SRS became the North Staffordshire Railway Society (NSRS), Cheddleton station became Cheddleton Railway Centre, and the Churnet Valley Railway in effect began. The plans for the Oakamoor to Alton Towers track were put on hold, the old siding and goods yard at Cheddleton was purchased, and workshops were created with the first locomotives arriving in 1977.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> British Rail (BR) was at the time still using the adjacent railway to move industrial sand from the quarry at Oakamoor. This all resulted in the unusual sight of a Fowler tender being delivered to the NSRS at the rear of a sand train, arriving from Bescot, being uncoupled, and then left for the NSRS volunteers to crane over from the mainline into the NSRS yard before the sand train returned.
Developments to first running: track bed acquisition (1978–1996)
In 1978 the NSRS became the "North Staffordshire Railway Co. (1978) Ltd", which gained charity status in 1983. The bay platform area at Cheddleton was acquired in 1984 and the former NSR signal box from Clifton was put into use at the site, allowing demonstration runs to operate around the former goods yard. A commemorative plaque at the restored station acknowledges Norman Hancock and his role in ensuring the survival of the Jacobean-style building.
British Rail ceased using the remains of the former Churnet Valley Line in 1988, and the NSRC sought to purchase the stretch from Oakamoor to Leek Brook Junction. In 1992, the charity NSRC incorporated a subsidiary company: 'Churnet Valley Railway (1992) plc. In 1996, the company was granted a Light Railway Order to run Template:Convert between Leek Brook Junction to Oakamoor Sand Sidings. (This was the last such order before the implementation of a new legal framework in the Transport and Works Act.) The company was also responsible for applications for planning permission and other legal necessities. The first public share issue was launched in 1995, to fund the purchase of the land and track, following an agreement with the British Railways Board. Share Issue 1 was well supported, particularly by the local community, and raised over £120,000. The purchase was completed on 4 July 1996. The trading activities of the NSRC were subsequently transferred to the CVR following this initial success.
The track was then made ready for passenger trains, and on 24 August 1996 LMS Fowler Class 3F 47383 departed Cheddleton for Leek Brook Junction, a distance of roughly Template:Convert.
New stations: Consall and Kingsley & Froghall (1998–2003)
Share issue 2 in 1998 aimed to raise £160,000 to upgrade the line south from Cheddleton to Consall for passenger services, which was successfully achieved on 11 July 1998.
Shortly after this, the next Template:Convert section south to Kingsley & Froghall station was rehabilitated to provide an alternative to Cheddleton for visitors' car parking, and thus allow the business to expand. The third share issue was launched in the summer of 2000 in order to raise £185,000, and on 14 October 2000 "top and tailed" diesel-hauled passenger specials ran. Floods in November 2000 damaged at least three sections along the extension, but by 11 August 2001 the section of line was restored sufficiently to allow CVR's passenger regular operations to extend over the Template:Convert line to Kingsley & Froghall, and on 19 July 2003 Kingsley & Froghall's re-constructed station building was opened by Pete Waterman.
Upgrades and extension (2008–2011)
This single platform at Kingsley & Froghall station was supplemented by the restoration of the second platform in 2008 using grant money.<ref name="CVR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The wooden waiting shelter was re-built to the original 1849 design and incorporated the original brick foundations.<ref name="CVR" /> A new foot crossing at the south of the platform (there never was a footbridge) replaced a previous foot crossing at the north end. The restoration project jointly won "The National Express East Coast Volunteers Award" at the National Railway Heritage Awards 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2010, the Template:Convert of track from Leek Brook Junction to Cauldon Lowe was restored to passenger-carrying standards, allowing services to run by November. The signal box at Leek Brook Junction was restored externally, and the platform and surrounding area were cleared of vegetation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Planning permission for full restoration of the site was granted in November 2011.<ref>[1] </ref>
Extension to Leek (2018-2025)
Also see "Leek (Churnet Valley) railway station" about the future of the proposed station.
It has always been the CVR long-term aim to re-open the line back into the market town of Leek, and after the Froghall extension of 2001 the railway made it clear that the extension into Leek was the next priority in terms of physical expansion.
The CVR have taken on the Leek project themselves, and after much dialogue with the council received outline planning permission for their own proposal in May 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They then launched their own project publicly on 1 February 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Railway received a £1.4 million grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and as of the 25 August 2023 have reinstated a rail triangle (only the second in preservation in the UK after Norton Fitzwarren on the West Somerset Railway).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
A separate company was proposing redevelopments of the Barnfields estate in Leek, which is the mooted location for the new station. These plans were given Outline Planning Permission in December 2014,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and include the construction of a new platform for the railway, new Marina connecting into the Leek branch of the Caldon Canal as well as a new restaurant and potentially a dedicated North Staffordshire Museum.
In late 2024, track laying was largely completed towards Leek, with the first passenger service to the site of the new Leek station planned to run in early 2025 <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 31 December 2024, a train operated by Churnet Valley Railway travelled for the first time from Froghall to the new temporary terminus at Leek, carrying 400 invited guests.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Route of the CVR
Most CVR passenger trains run between Kingsley & Froghall station in Froghall village (Kingsley is a further Template:Convert away) and Ipstones loop via the intermediate stations at Consall, Cheddleton and Leek Brook<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} </ref> , passing through the 531-yard (486 m) Cheddleton tunnel and passing over Leek Brook junction, this was a four-way junction serving railways from Stoke, Leek, Alton, and the quarries at Cauldon. The former platform for the old St Edwards Hospital tramway has been restored, and the station building has been reconstructed. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} </ref> Three of the lines through Leek Brook junction have been restored to passenger use, with trains passing through to Leek, Kingsley & Froghall, and Ipstones. Additionally a railway triangle has been restored at the junction allowing trains to be turned.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} </ref>
Stations
Passengers may join the railway at three stations: Cheddleton, Consall and Kingsley and Froghall. Cheddleton is the site of the motive power depot, engine shed and the carriage and wagon restoration workshops. The original Victorian station building houses the North Staffordshire Railway museum archive and an original booking office and waiting room. Consall is a small rural station with Victorian buildings and waiting room. There is also a passing loop. There is a run-round loop of track and a water column. Kingsley and Froghall is the main operational headquarters of the railway and where most passengers start their journey, there is a refreshment room and other public facilities on site, as well as a run-round loop and water column.
The CVR's stations at Leek Brook<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Leek are in passenger use, but there is no access to the platforms at these stations other than the railway, Leek station currently consists of a temporary platform to facilitate occasional public visits,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while Leek Brook has limited public facilities for use on selected event days.
Regular passenger trains terminate at ipstones loop, just short of ipstones station (closed to passengers in 1935)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and ipstones summit which at Template:Convert above sea level.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> was the high point of the entire North Staffordshire railway system.
Leek Brook-Waterhouses section
- Bradnop
- Ipstones
- Winkhill
- Caldon Low
- Waterhouses
- Former Leek & Manifold signal box now a cycle hire<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Start of the Manifold Way footpath and cycle trail<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Awards
- 2005: National Railway Heritage Awards, Ian Allan Publishing Award, awarded for Consall station and signalling and Kingsley & Froghall station<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 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 Froghall. The project was joint first with the Great Central Railway.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 2013: Winner of "ACES Best Dinner Award 2012"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 2015: Winner of "Best Use of Production Music in Radio Advertising" at Library Music Awards for Signal1 Radio "1940s Event" advert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 2016: Winner of Daily Mirror Top 10 UK Steam Train Trips<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- 2019: 9th in Telegraph Travel "Best One-Day Rail Journeys in the World"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Media coverage
- In 1983, Simon Groom visited as part of the BBC programme Blue Peter to cover the movement of the former signalbox from Clifton to CheddletonTemplate:Citation needed
- In July 1985, Cheddleton station was used as the fictional Fuddlewich in the BBC series Happy Families starring Jennifer SaundersTemplate:Citation needed
- In April 2001, Vince Henderson visited to record the annual wartime event for an episode of Discovery Real Time's Off the RailsTemplate:Citation needed
- In September 2011 the line featured in an episode of Countryfile. The railway's diesel multiple unit was used for several interviews on the subject of the British "staycation effect". 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.Template:Citation needed
- In September 2012, the railway's diesel multiple unit featured on Ashbourne Radio in a two-part feature on DMU's and their wider impact when introduced to the UK's railways in the late 1950s. The coverage was also used to advertise the railway's diesel gala later that month.Template:Citation needed
- In January 2016, the railway was included in an episode of Michael Portillo's popular Great British Railway Journeys<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- In September 2019, S160 5197 was featured in an episode of UKTV's Train Truckers, following the locomotives transfer from the CVR to Telford Steam Railway for their Polar Express specials.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- In January 2021, Canal Vloggers Foxes Afloat visited the Churnet Valley for an episode, including a ride onboard 33021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- In November 2021, the railway featured in an episode of Tim Dunn's, The Architecture the Railways Built, which looked at North Staffordshire as whole before focussing on Stoke Station, Alton Towers Station and Leek Brook Junction signal box.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Future extensions
Southwards
To the south, from Froghall, the line is under the ownership of the CVR as far as the former sand sidings at Oakamoor even though as of 2024 the trackwork has been lifted. After this the line crossed over the River Churnet straight into a tunnel before Oakamoor station is reached. Work on the tunnel and the rebuilding of the station site would be necessary to extend further than the former quarry, although it is considered viable. Whilst the railway owns the track as far as the sand sidings, the bridge, tunnel and trackbed beyond this is in the hands of Staffordshire County Council.
A new station platform called "Moneystone" (name of the former quarry) has been mooted at the site of the former sand sidings by the CVR to connect to a new Holiday Camp that has been proposed for the former quarry itself<ref name="staffsmoorlands.gov.uk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Further south is Oakamoor itself, and then onto Alton Towers, where the station building has been restored although it is owned by the Landmark Trust.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The prospect of running trains as far as Alton is potentially 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 the National Cycle Network "National Route 54".
This Template:Convert section (from Froghall-Alton Towers) is in principle regarded as commercially viable to reopen, and was stated as a longer-term expansion aim of Moorland & City Railways.
The next station on the route south of Alton is Denstone, and the trackbed is clear of as far as the former platforms then a house has encroached on the former level crossing making expansion beyond Denstone back towards the mainline at Uttoxeter improbable without significant financial outlay.
Westwards
West of Leek Brook Junction is the Template:Convert Stoke–Leek line. The line was part of the planned Moorland & City network and is mothballed by Network Rail pending work to return it to a usable condition.
In January 2012 the CVR publicly announced they were involved in the restoration of the Template:Convert from Leek Brook Junction to Endon Station in collaboration with Moorlands & City Railways. In 2011 vegetation was cleared on the section to allow a comprehensive survey of the track to be undertaken, and in 2012 extensive sleeper replacement began in order to bring the route up to passenger carrying standards. This was being completed by Churnet Valley Railway volunteers, in partnership with Moorland & City Railways, and supported by contractors where necessary.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Work stopped when a local resident made a village green application for the track bed, claiming that the line had become a village green through its lack of use as a railway for a number of years and that many locals used it as a footpath already. This was eventually rejected by Staffordshire County Council, as none of the criteria for village green status were met.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Meanwhile, negotiations continued between MCR (plus CVR) and Network Rail to instate a heritage service on a restricted number of dates to Endon. In early 2013 it was announced that the CVR would be looking to take a tenancy out on part of the former station building to open a tea room, in order to create a presence within the village and signal its commitment to returning trains to the station. This tea room was subsequently opened on 13 January 2015 by a local couple and named 'The Station Kitchen'.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Supporting groups
- The North Staffordshire Railway Co. (1978) Ltd. – charitable trust<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Churnet Valley Railway PLC (1992) – operating company<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Anglia Shunters Ltd – maintenance of resident Polish tanks<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Batt Holden Ltd - engineering support<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Churnet Valley Motive Power Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Churnet Valley Railway Telecoms Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Churnet Valley Railway Permanent Way Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Locomotives
Steam locomotives
| Number | Name | Type | Livery | Status | Notes | Image | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2226 | Katie | Andrew Barclay Template:Whyte | Lined Red | Awaiting Overhaul | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
File:Churnet Valley Railway - Katie - geograph.org.uk - 6054002.jpg | ||
| 2871 | TKh49 Template:Whyte | Faded green | Spares Donor | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Locomotive TKH 2871 - geograph.org.uk - 4436578 | |||
| 2944 | Hotspur | TKh49 Template:Whyte | Green | Stored | 2944 was put up for sale in 2011, and following a lengthy period with no suitable offers an article appeared in a copy of Steam Railway magazine saying that the locomotives would be sent for scrap if no buyer was found. A group of Churnet Valley Railway volunteers stepped in to purchase the locomotive, with the view of restoring and operating it at the CVR. 2944 arrived in May 2013 and the overhaul commenced in August of the same year. After 9 months, the overhaul was completed and the locomotive entered traffic during the Churnet Valley Railways "Anything Goes" weekend on the 21st June 2014. Withdrawn for overhaul following expiration of boiler ticket in January 2024.<ref name="CVRSteam"/> | File:Churnet Valley Railway - Polish locomotive - geograph.org.uk - 6058816.jpg | |||
| 3278 | Franklin D. Roosevelt | S160 Template:Whyte | Longmoor Blue | Under Overhaul | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> First moves in steam completed in July 2024. |
USATC S160 Class No. 3278 'Franklin D. Roosevelt' | ||
| 5197 | S160 Template:Whyte | USATC Black | Operational | Owned by Batt Holden Ltd. Ten-year overhaul recommenced June 2014 and was completed in January 2017.<ref name="CVRSteam"/> Star of the popular Polar Express UK specials at the Telford Steam Railway as well as those on the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway. | File:USA Class S160 No 5197 (8063150731).jpg | ||||
| 6046 | S160 Template:Whyte | USATC Black | Operational | Owned by Batt Holden Ltd. Returned from Tyseley in early 2016 following repairs. Similarly to S160 No. 5197, this locomotive also operates Polar Express events. Withdrawn from service in March 2022, returned to service following overhaul in October 2023.<ref name="CVRSteam"/> | File:Bishops Lydeard - USATC 6046 by the water tower.jpg | ||||
| 44422 | 4F Template:Whyte | BR Black | Awaiting repair | Built in 1927 under the LMS, and was withdrawn by BR in June 1965. First former BR steam locomotive to arrive at CVR from Barry Scrapyard in April 1977.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> First returned to steam in 1990, the locomotive spent periods out on hire until the CVR was formally re-opened in 1996. An overhaul was required in 2000, after which she continued to perform at the CVR and made visits to other railways before she was moved to the Nene Valley Railway in 2009. The boiler ticket expired in July 2013 following failure of the crown stays, but in December 2014 a 25-year lease was signed with the West Somerset Railway that would see the 4F restored for the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway in 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> In 2019, the agreement with the WSR was terminated and the locomotive returned to the Churnet Valley in December that year. It is currently out of service requiring major bottom end repairs and awaits an assessment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
File:44422 on the demolition train - geograph.org.uk - 1181740.jpg | |
| 48173 | 8F Template:Whyte | N/A | Undergoing restoration | Owned by Batt Holden Ltd. Long-term project. Parts accumulation has been ongoing and restoration began in earnest in 2017.<ref name="CVRSteam"/> | File:LMS 8F 2-8-0 48173 Bitton, AVR 3.4.2006 (9922367776).jpg |
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Diesel locomotives
| Number | Name | Type | Livery | Status | Notes | Image | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightside | Yorkshire Engine Company Template:Whyte | Black | Operational | NSRC Owned. Returned to service in 2016 following a major overhaul. | ||||
| 6 | Roger H. Bennett | Yorkshire Engine Company Janus Template:Whyte | NCB Blue | Operational | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
File:Yorkshire Engine Company locomotive - Churnet Valley Railway - geograph.org.uk - 6054059.jpg | |
| D3800 | Class 08 | BR Green | Under overhaul | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
File:Churnet Valley Railway - Cheddleton Station - geograph.org.uk - 6712115.jpg | ||
| D8057 | Class 20 | BR Green | Under Overhaul | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
British Rail Class 20 D8057 (TOPS 20057) | ||
| 25322 | Tamworth Castle | Class 25 | "Ice Cream Van" Blue | Awaiting overhaul | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
File:Class 25322 at Cheddleton.jpg | |
| 33021 | Eastleigh | Class 33 | Post Office Red | Out of Traffic | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> Used to be named 'Captain Charles' and was in BR Blue with black cabs. |
33021 taken during the Old Oak Common Open Day on 05 Aug 2000 | |
| 33102 | Sophie (Unofficial) | Class 33 | BR Blue | Operational | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> Built in 1960. By the end of 2009, 33102 was in need of restoration and refurbishment. After a lengthy overhaul which included extensive body work, a rewire, new internal guttering and drains, replacement of cant rail grilles, complete strip down and overhaul of the compressor, new batteries and a complete repaint 33102 returned to traffic in time for the CVR's 2012 diesel weekend.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
33 102 waits to depart from Cheddleton |
| 47292 | Class 47 | BR 2 tone green | Operational | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> The loco is hoped to be ready for traffic in the Spring of 2025.<ref name="facebook.com"/> |
47292 Ruddington |
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Former residents
| Number | Type | Livery | Status | Notes | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80136 | 4MT Template:Whyte | BR Lined Black | Operational | Built in 1956. After leaving Cheddleton, the locomotive operated on the Llangollen Railway until its boiler ticket expired.<ref name="NYMR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> The locomotive was stored until 2016 when the owners agreed to move it to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The locomotive arrived at the NYMR in April 2016 and was operational by August 2016.<ref name="NYMR"/> |
File:West Somerset Railway.jpg |
| No 2 | NSR New L Class Template:Whyte | NSR Lined Maroon | On Display | Built in 1923, NSR no. 2 was one of five "New L" locos sold to Manchester Collieries in Walkden by the LMS in October 1937 under its LMS identity of 2271. The loco was named "Princess" in 1938, and was eventually rebuilt with a new saturated boiler and new tanks, bunker and cylinders in 1946.
In 1960 the locomotive was repainted as NSR No 2 for the "North Staffordshire Railway Centenary" exhibition in Stoke-on-Trent. Following the loco's appearance at this event it kept its identity as NSR no. 2 upon its return to industrial service at Walkden.<ref name="NSR no.2"/> In 1964 the boiler, tanks and cab from "Princess" were fitted onto the chassis of another former NSR New L loco (NSR no. 72 built in 1920 / LMS no. 2262—had been subsequently named "Sir Robert" at Walkden). The NSR no. 2 identity was maintained, however, and upon the end of service at Walkden the loco passed into the National Collection. This has created a high level of debate over the loco's identity though, as traditionally locomotives took their numbers from their frames which would make the surviving loco NSR no. 72. As 'New L' class all had superheated boilers, the fact the loco survives with a saturated boiler takes the discussion much further as to whether it can even be classed as a NSR loco.<ref> "The Industrial Railways of Bolton, Bury and the Manchester Coalfield Part 2: The Manchester Coalfield" by C.H.A.Townley, C.A.Appleton, F.D.Smith & J.A.Peden</ref> The surviving loco was owned by the National Railway Museum and spent a period on display at the CVR in the late 1990s.<ref name="NSR no.2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> Following some time on display at Shildon Locomotion Museum it was delisted from the National Collection, and donated to the Foxfield Railway where it is now on display in their museum at Caverswall Road.<ref name="NSR no.2"/> Its identity as NSR no. 2 has been maintained throughout its life in preservation. |
File:North Staffordshire Railway, 0-6-2T No 2, designed by J.H. Adams, built in 1922, withdrawn in 1936 and purchased by Manchester Collieries, subsequently used by the National Coal Board until 1965. (9989611623).jpg |
| NSR No. 1 / BEL2 | Battery Electric Template:Whyte | NSR Lined Maroon | On Display | Built at Stoke Works in 1917. It worked Bolton's copper works and sand sidings at Oakamoor on the Churnet Valley Line. It was the last North Staffs locomotive to be withdrawn, leaving BR stock in 1963.<ref name="NSR BEL2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> Currently at Shildon. |
File:Battery locomotive, North Staffordshire Railway - National Railway Museum, York (36243981666).jpg |
| 7821 | GWR Manor Class Template:Whyte | BR Black | On Display – Awaiting Overhaul | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> On display at Museum of the Great Western Railway following purchase by the West Somerset Railway Association in 2008 from Ken Ryder.<ref name="DCManor"/> |
File:Norton Fitzwarren 7821 Ditcheat Manor.jpg |
| 3777 / 68030 | Hunslet Template:Whyte | BR Black | Awaiting overhaul | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> and spent many years out on hire at various railways after leaving the CVR in 2006. 68030 returned to the CVR in May 2016 following ten years away but left again in early 2017, this time for the Llangollen Railway.<ref name="Hunslet"/> |
File:Steam Locomotive 68030 (6928579330).jpg |
| 69621 | LNER Class N7 Template:Whyte | BR Black | Under Overhaul | Owned by the East Anglian Railway Museum. Arrived on the CVR in June 2012, and became the mainstay of services until withdrawal in April 2015 for overhaul. Hoped to return to service in 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
File:LNER Class N7.jpg |
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References
External links
- Churnet Valley Railway
- Moorland & City Railways
- History of the North Staffordshire Railway plus news
- Information on the BBC Stoke & Staffordshire page Template:Webarchive
- Heritage and Preserved Railways: Churnet Valley Railway from National Rail