Thursday 10th December 2009
2010 Steam Gala line up: 3F, Duke and 80072...

Class 3F 30075 USA tank loco arrived yesterday to cover for S160 5197 which is now withdrawn from traffic awaiting overhaul.

BR Class 8 Pacific locomotive No 71000 Duke of Gloucester will be the star guest at our February 2010 Steam Gala. The Duke will be joined by newly restored ex BR Class 4 MT No 80072 visiting from Llangollen Railway. This will be 80072's first visit to another railway since its restoration.

We will also be offering Duke Footplate Experience courses during its stay with us.

Tuesday 24th November 2009
Children arrive at Cheddleton on board the Narnia Express!

The New Vic's Christmas spectacular The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opened to packed houses this week - and The Sentinel went to greet Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they arrived into Staffordshire on board the Narnia Express.
Actors Anthony Eden, Clara Darcy, Jack Blumenau and Pam Jolley are currently playing the Pevensie siblings in the New Vic Theatre's production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The actors took a tour of the Churnet Valley on board a steam train - as their characters do when they are evacuated to the countryside from London in 1940 to escape the Blitz.
The siblings are sent to live with an old professor where they stumble upon an enchanted wardrobe. The play runs until Saturday 23 Jan 2010

Monday 26th October 2009
Education Days at Churnet Valley continue to be a big Success!

Now in its third year the Education Department reports a near sell out on school visits. In all we catered for 37 school parties bringing a total of approximately 1510 children to visit the railway as part of the CVR’s 2009 Education Program. The majority of the fourteen Education Days were fully booked. The 1940’s Evacuation Experience continues to prove very popular with children, teachers and volunteer railway staff dressing up to suit the occasion whilst Explorer Days with nature trails, bug hunts and railway workshops continues to attract younger primary children.
Schools are advised to book early for next year, see the Education Page for dates and further information.

Thursday 15th October 2009
All Stations to Stoke...!

Following announcements to CVR Shareholders and the Press, details of an exciting new venture by "Moorland & City Railways" to reopen mothballed lines either side of Leekbrook Junction will soon be available.

CVR Chairman's Statement

Thursday 8th October 2009
Oakamoor Loop Service Announced

To coincide with the CVR AGM on Saturday 10th October we will be running four DMU trips to Oakamoor Loop. This service will also be available to the public subject to seat availability

Also running this day will be the Class 37 37075 and the Mark 1 Stock.

The two services will be based on the two train running ghost path (Blue) timetable plus the Oakamoor Loop section. See the events page for details.

Please note the 4VEP will not be in use.

With only two weeks left before the 2010 Timetable Cover Competition closes there is still time to enter.

The photographer submitting the
winning entry will win two tickets for the Moorlander Sunday Lunch Train in 2010.

Full details on how to enter can be found here

Tuesday 22nd September 2009
Anything Goes Gala Weekend Announced

Due to operational reasons the advertised Steam Gala due to be held on the 14th & 15th November has been postponed until the new year. However in its place we are now going to run an "Anything Goes" Event. Anything on the railway that goes will go!

The event line up so far consists of two Steam Engines, two DMUs and several Diesels including a Class 37 and the 4 VEP.

Full details as they become available can be found on the events page.

Thursday 10th September 2009
2010 Calendar on Sale

The new 2010 Calendar will be on sale from this weekend Saturday 12th September. It contains twelve new images of the Churnet Valley Railway all taken during this season. The calendars will be £6, the same as last year. The Calendars make an ideal Christmas gift and are a must have item for all supporters of our railway! Also available by post.

Also on sale will be packs of four assorted Churnet Valley Railway Christmas Cards for £2.50.

Linda Westerman - Retail Manager

Sunday 23rd August 2009
4F No. 44422 Leaves for Repairs

The 4F has now left the railway and returned to its maintenance base at Crewe. Out of traffic at Cheddleton since the 5th June following excessive knocking noises which are the subject of much conjecture, the engine is being repaired and made ready for a long standing commitment to the Nene Valley Railway (1968 The Final Days)

The CVR welcomed the 4F back for a 12 month period at the beginning of 2009 however the locomotive has spent prolonged periods out of use with mechanical faults. At this stage it is not clear whether the locomotive will return to Cheddleton and fulfil the remainder of its commitment to the CVR.

This has left the railway in a predicament relying purely on one locomotive (GWR Prairie 5199) to operate our summer services. The pressure being relieved slightly with the return of the lines resident S160 after a slightly curtailed visit to the East Lancs Railway.

G Wilson Operating & MPD Director

Wednesday 12th August 2009
Black Lion wins CAMRA Award

From Leek Post & Times: "The Black Lion at Consall Forge has been named August pub of the month by the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).

Landlord Jason Purcell took over the pub in July 2007, after moving to the area in 2000 from the Black Country. He used to run both the Hope and Anchor and Bowling Green in Cellarhead.

And he said the quaint, historic pub, which is situated alongside the Churnet Valley railway and Caldon Canal, has become his home from home."

The pub is a just few minutes walk from Consall Station and its patrons can enjoy good beer and good food whilst watching our trains go by.
The railway also provides an ideal way to travel to the pub.

In February the pub had beer from Peakstones Rock Brewery delivered by train resurrecting a tradition not seen since 1958.

Monday 10th August 2009
"Barney Buffers" named

Local sisters and champion charity fund raisers, Candice and Tilly Griffiths unveiled the CVR's new Children's Character Locomotive "Barney Buffers". Accompanied by the railway's mischievous mascot bear "Knotty Ted" they named the train to a explosion of party poppers and applause. The ceremony on the 8th August marked the start of the the "Toyland Express" week with newly refurbished and remodelled faces for all the engines.

As well as taking part in a variety of activities and entertainment, visitors to the event can read an amusing story in verse on how Barney got his name and purchase their own exclusive Knotty Ted soft toy.

The event runs until Sunday 16th August, click here for more details.

Saturday 25th July 2009
The 9th National Velocipede Rally

Railway Velocipedes from all over the country travelled to the Churnet Valley Railway for their 9th National Rally on 12th July.

The Velocipedes assembled at the Froghall landing pad before travelling under their own (man) power to Oakamoor. The Vehicles then gave demonstration rides beside platform 2 at Kingsley & Froghall Station in between the scheduled steam service.

For more details about Velocipedes click here

For photographs of the event click here

Saturday 27th June 2009
Dalek Invasion Quiz Winner

A Doctor Who Quiz was launched at the Dalek Invasion in May. Fifteen questions in various degrees of difficulty were set by Steve Hatcher of the Derby Whoovers.

The winning entries for the quiz were later put into a hat and James Salt aged 16 from Wolstanton was the winner.

James opted to receive a fabulous child size hand made Sixth Doctor costume autographed by the Sixth Doctor himself, Colin Baker. The costume was made and donated to the CVR's event by Colin's present costume makers Alison & Jude.

Thanks to personal donation's and donations to the NSRC we have now been able to install a 4th dedicated Network Webcam.

The camera has been fitted inside the Signal Box at Cheddleton MPD by members of the Telecoms Department . The image shows traffic in and out of the MPD yard as well as the view south down the Valley.

Unfortunately the poor glazing of the window is making parts of the image appear blurred, but it is hoped this can be rectified shortly.

We now have two network cameras operating at Cheddleton plus ones at Consall and Kingsley & Froghall.

Further contributions towards the installation of additional Webcams is still welcome. Please click here for details.

Sunday 17th May 2009
Consall Webcam goes LIVE!

Thanks to our Webcam Appeal the NSRC has been able to part fund the first dedicated Network Camera for use on the railway's web site.

The webcam was installed on Sunday in time to capture our next Special Event, the Dalek Invasion. This inexpensive stand alone camera, which works without a computer, was installed in Consall Signal box giving viewers an excellent Signal Man's view of the station.

Further donations to the NSRC webcam appeal are always welcome

Tuesday 28th April 2009
"Steam in the Valley 2" DVD now on Sale

Wednesday 29th April 2009
The Trolley now standing at Platform 1....!

Featuring six locomotives, this years Winter Steam Gala is now available to view on DVD.

Filmed by CVR Volunteer Kevin Daily and produced by "Pure Steam DVD" this high quality 60 minute DVD is available through the CVR Souvenir Shop at only £10.

The DVD has bonus tracks of S160 number 5197 at Worth Valley and some rare footage of the CVR's early days including the visit of "Rocket" to Cheddleton in 1998.

Wednesday 15th April 2009
Season Tickets Launched

Monday 27th April 2009
TV Celebrity Unveils Award:

Antiques Road show host Mr. Paul Atterbury officially unveiled the National Express East Coast Volunteers Award on Saturday 25th April.

The railway received the Award at the National Railway Heritage Awards for rebuilding the waiting shelter on platform II at Kingsley & Froghall Station.

For more details about the award click here

Wednesday 1st April 2009
Easter Egg Hunt

Thursday 2nd April 2009
CVR on Signal 2

Paul Fairclough kindly invited Nigel Shaw onto his mid morning show to talk about forthcoming events on the CVR. If you missed the programme you can "listen again". Click here to download the broadcast .

It is hoped that Signal 2 will broadcast from the railway later in the year, details to follow.

Education Days on the Churnet Valley railway continued today with an Easter Egg Hunt and an Explorer Day.

Children from St Thomas's in Tean (left) enjoyed a great day out on the railway. They went on an Easter Egg hunt, had a ride on the train and took part in various Easter related activities.

On the same day children from Smallthorne Primary School caught the train to Consall where they went on a nature ramble. They were delighted to meet a tethered Falcon and were also very pleased to be allowed to spend their pocket money in the Souvenir shop!

The CVR hosted the 44422 AGM on Saturday 28th March in the Board Room at Froghall Station. This gave rise to an additional days service for the railway.

The 4F ran a public passenger service from Cheddleton at 11:57. The timetable addition proved popular even though the event was put on at short notice.

For more photographs from the day click here to visit 44422's own web site. The CVR is not responsible for the content of external web sites.

Monday 23rd March 2009
New Regular Bus Service From Stoke Station to
Kingsley & Froghall Station Announced

From the 28th March 2009 a new service linking Stoke Railway Station, Hanley and Alton Towers will be stopping at Froghall.

The number 15 service will be operated by the Alton Towers Transport using their White Buses and will be available to Alton Towers staff and members of the public.

The bus will stop at the existing bus stops between Froghall Station and Bolton's car park on the A52. It will operate everyday until the end of October.
Towers Transport Bus 15 at Froghall Station - Photo: Chris Richbell

The service will enable people arriving at Stoke Station or Hanley to travel direct to the railway to catch the first service of the day, returning that evening. It will also enable people staying at the Alton Towers Hotel or Splash Landings Hotel to travel to the railway for a day out.

This is an exciting development and a heralds a new era of co-operation between our two major tourist attractions and signifies Alton Towers new desire to become more involved in the local community.

View a copy of the timetable here

There will be an afternoon Passenger Service on Saturday 28th March 2009 which is not shown on the 2009 Timetable.

The Green timetable will be operating but the first train will not depart from Cheddleton Station until 11.57am. Last round trips from Kingsley & Froghall at 3.25pm & Cheddleton at 4.12pm.

Limited refreshments will be available from Kingsley & Froghall Tea Rooms.

Please Note: Cheddleton Station Booking Office and Cafe will NOT be open. Passengers can buy their tickets on the train.

Saturday 7th February 2009
Two New Historic Milestones for the CVR !

Today saw the start of the Winter Steam Gala and for the first time on the Churnet Valley Railway, "three train running"! As well as two steam hauled services operating between Cheddleton and Kingsley & Froghall a third service, operated by the DMU, ran between Consall and Oakamoor Loop.

The second milestone was the first time use for passengers, of Kingsley & Froghall's award winning Up Platform (Platform 2). This was used for the Oakamoor service, which made for some unique station announcements not previously heard in over forty years!

Friday 6th February 2009
Last of the 6 Locomotives taking part in the Gala arrives at Cheddleton

Hunslet Engine Company 0-6-0ST 'Ring Haw' which is on loan from The North Norfolk Railway has arrived for this weekends Winter Steam Gala.

Full details of all the locomotives running and the special timetable are available on the link above.

Despite the wintery weather its still "Full Steam Ahead" for our Winter Steam Gala. The roads at Cheddleton and Kingsley & Froghall Stations are clear at the time of writing (Friday 6th Feb 14:00) but a cold night is forecast.

Sunday 1st February 2009
The CVR turns back the clock with a beer delivery to the Black Lion Consall

Today at 12:30 The Churnet Valley Railway DMU delivered 10 Barrels of various ales from the
Peakstones Rock Brewery. The Black Lion needed the special delivery of real ale for its first
ever Winter Beer Festival which runs in conjunction with the CVR's Winter Steam Gala next weekend.

There will even be a special timetable in operation next Friday night to transport Real Ale Enthusiasts
to the pub at the start of the Beer Festival.

Click on the link above for more details

Delivering beer to the Black Lion by train used to be a regular activity pre-closure. To see a gallery of
photographs of today's special delivery and two pictures from the NSRC archives of how it was done
in 1958 click here.

Thursday 29th January 2009
Black 5 45231 "The Sherwood Forester" arrives for Steam Gala

LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 45231 locomotive "Sherwood Forester" has arrived at Cheddleton MPD
to take part in next weeks Winter Steam Gala.

YOU could be one of the lucky few to drive this magnificent locomotive! click here for details.

More details of the Winter Steam Gala have been issued including:-

• Friday night's real ale event in conjunction with the Black Lion at Consall
• Free Bus link from Stoke Station
• Line Side Pass application form.

Click on the link above for more details

Monday 19th January 2009
Winter Gala Intensive Public Timetable Issued

More details of the Winter Steam Gala have been issued including the intensive two day timetable
and the Line Side Pass application form.

Four of the impressive Steam Locomotive's in the Gala line up are now at Cheddleton MPD,
GWR Large Prairie 5199, LMS Fowler 4F 44422, USATC S160 5197 and LMR 0-6-0 Jinty 47279.

Click on the link above for more details

GWR Large Prairie 5199 a 2-6-2T locomotive built in 1934, seen here at Froghall Landing Pad, arrived today as part of the impressive line up for next months Winter Steam Gala

The locomotive is on loan from the Llangollen Railway and has recently spent a year operating on the Bluebell Railway.

Thursday 8th January 2009
LMS Fowler 4F 44422 arrives for Winter Gala

4F 44422 seen here at Cheddleton has arrived ahead of next months Winter Steam Gala

Other Locomotives expected include Black 5 45231 "The Sherwood Forester"; GWR Large Prairie 5199
and 0-6-0ST 1982 RingHaw.

These will join resident locomotive USATC S160 5197 and LMR 0-6-0 Jinty 47279 which is on loan from K&WVR

The Permanent Way team have successfully installed and tested (with a rail trolley) the off tracking equipment for the Wickham Trolley recently purchased by the NSRC. The short section of track positioned at right angles to the running line enables access to the running line using the Wickham Trolley's turntable.

More details about the recent purchase of the Wickham Trolley can be found here