Churnet Valley Railway Blog RSS Feed

Relive Our 40's Weekend

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

The Churnet Valley Railway was transported back to the Second World War this past weekend by the roar of Jeep engines, the thunder of steam trains and the rhythms of boogie-woogie as we held our annual 1940’s Weekend. The weekend proved as popular as ever with some very dapper gentlemen in sporting military uniforms and glamourous women in their best silks enjoying the super atmosphere and nostalgic trips along the Churnet Valley line. We’ve posted a few photos of the event on our Facebook page, so pop over there and take a look at all the fun. We&rsq ...

Timetable Alteration

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Unfortunately due to the extreme weather we've experienced in the last few weeks we're unable to operate our normal Cauldon Lowe Service this Sunday. As you can see from the picture below we've tried our best to clear the tracks but as the line is exposed in many parts - particularly towards the summit - the snow has built up very high. Higher, in fact, than the roof of the cab! We will instead be running a Churnet Valley Line ONLY service. This will be to our FULL GREEN TIMETABLE. The first train departs Cheddleton at 10:32 while the first f ...

Enjoy Easter At Churnet Valley Railway

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Are you looking for something different to do this Easter weekend? Come on down to Churnet Valley Railway and enjoy fun for all the family! We have trains running on all three days over the Easter weekend - Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday - as well as a school holidays special on Wednesday 3rd April. Our first train departs from Cheddleton at 10:32, heading through the beautiful Churnet Valley - where Spring has finally arrived! - to Froghall. Fun for all the Family To add to the fun, on the Easter Sunday we have a number of eg ...

Winter Steam Gala – Steaming Into 2013 In Style

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Our 2013 season of steam events set off in fantastic style with our Winter Steam Gala this past weekend. The weekend saw hundreds of you brave the freezing temperatures to come and experience the joy of steam travel through the beautiful Churnet Valley. Our intensive passenger service saw trains running all the way from Froghall through Leekbrook Junction up to Cauldon Lowe. We think you’ll agree the magnificent site and sound of a steam train working its way up the steep climb to Cauldon Lowe is one that’s hard to beat. Many of you were excited to see our special g ...

Win Tickets To Our Winter Steam Gala

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Recently arrived Maunsell U Class No. 31806 has recently undergone a test run on the Railway. The test run took in the Froghall - Leekbrook Junction section of the Churnet Valley Railway and the Leekbrook Junction - Cauldon Lowe section of Moorland & City Railways. Tickets are available to purchase online by clicking here. If you want to be in with the chance to win tickets to our Winter Steam Gala listen is to Signal 2 from Monday 18th February. We have one place available on a Cauldon Lowe footplate course due to a last minute cancelation. If you are interested in this please ...

U Boat Arrives At Cheddleton Ready For Our Winter Steam Gala

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The star guest for the Winter Steam Gala has now arrived at the CVR having been transported via road from its home base at the Mid Hants Railway. Southern Railways U Class Locomotive No. 31806 will be visiting the CVR for three weeks during which it will take part in the Winter Steam Gala along with three days of Photo Charters and two days of Cauldon Lowe footplate experience courses. A first for one of our Steam Gala events is the new online booking system which is now live. Visitors wishing to purchase their tickets online before the event to avoid having to queue can ...

Stepping Out With A Memory

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Join us as once again we turn the clock back to life on the home front during the 1940s. Our popular annual event sees the Churnet Valley Railway back in action as we not only transport you along the beautiful Churnet Valley but also take you back in time with our colourful re-enactors, military vehicles ,1940s classic cars, vintage market stalls and our nostalgic musical entertainers. To get you over the hardships of rationing why not take a ride on our “We’ll Meet Again” dining train which will be serving a splendid 4 course Dinner on board our l ...

Volunteers Wedding Funds “go Down The Drain”

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

When CVR volunteers Sheila Bingham and Peter Martin decided to tie the knot after 27 years of being together, the railway was an obvious choice for their wedding. So after months of detailed planning with commercial manager / wedding planner, Margaret Mountford, they were finally married at Kingsley & Froghall Station on Saturday 7th July 2012. On retiring from running their Oatcake shop in January 2011 after 20 years they decided to follow up their love of railways which brought them to the CVR. Sheila was asked if she would give us the benefit of her retail experie ...

The Railways Junior Club, The CVR Steamers Are Back And Better Than Before !

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

CVR Steamers, the junior arm of the railway is re-launching this year. If you would like to join the club or find out more please contact the railway on 01538 750755 or click here. The club offers junior members the following benefits : - Free travel on the Churnet Valley Line (On normal running days) - Welcome pack including gift & badge - Birthday card - Christmas card - &nb ...

Happy New Year

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our passengers, supporters, volunteers & shareholders a Happy and Prosperous 2013. Our timetable for 2013 is almost ready and will be published on the website in the next few weeks. The first major event of 2013 is the Winter Steam gala on the 23 & 24th February. Featuring a visiting locomotive from the Mid-Hants Railway, the weekend should be an opportunity to see and hear locomotives working hard on the climb to Cauldon Lowe. A preview of what awaits at our Winter Steam gala on the Cauldon Lowe line can be found in the ...

Webcams Are Back !

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

For those of you with a technical disposition and interested in our railway, you will be delighted to find that our Webcam page is now back up and running. Whilst no longer hosted directly on our website, the link can be found by clicking on the Webcam button at the top of our site or by clicking here. Happy viewing ! ...

JCB Academy Visits Froghall

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

On December 4th, 52 sixth form Engineering students from the prestigious JCB Academy were welcomed to the Churnet Valley Railway at Froghall. Students are currently engaged on the Network Rail challenge which requires them to investigate the Engineering Application of Materials – Students must analyse how and why materials fail and propose mitigating strategies and also redesign some railway components using new and smart materials. The trip to CVR meant that students could get up close and personal with railway components to see how they performed and how they could be improved. Acce ...

Mince Pies Specials 29th & 30th December 2012

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

“End of Season Mince Pie Special” Once the Christmas Festivities are over why not take the family on a relaxing journey aboard one of our Heritage Steam Trains on Saturday 29th December or Sunday 30th December? We are operating two Mince Pie Specials taking you on a wintery 27 mile round trip up through the Churnet Valley onto the Staffordshire Moorlands. On board refreshments will be available to make your journey complete. Trains depart from Kingsley & Froghall at 10:30 & 13:20 both days and return from Cauldon Lowe some two hours and twenty min ...

Santa By Starlight

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

On Wednesday 19th December we are operating “Santa by Starlight” our only evening Santa Express. Santa Trains will depart at 16:45, 17:30, 18:15 and 1900 enabling mums and dads to bring their children to see Santa after work. The train journey takes just over an hour and you will see the stations all lit up for our traditional festive Victorian Christmas theme. As you take your seats balloon modellers will delight the children. Then once the train departs Santa will make his way down the train with wonderful quality gifts for all the children and sherry and mince pies fo ...

Santa Has Arrived At The Churnet Valley Railway

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Santa has now arrived at Platform 1 just in time to get the railways Victorian Christmas “Santa and Steam” off to a busy start. Festivities begins over the weekend 1st & 2nd December and continue each weekend and Wednesday until Christmas. Climb aboard the Santa Special where you will find wonderful quality gifts for all the children and sherry and mince pies for the adults. The presents are wrapped, the mince pies are baked and the stations have been transformed to resemble scenes from Victorian Christmas Cards. Traditional entertainer’s will wander along the ...

All Steamed Up About Presents…..

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Looking for that present with a difference? Then the Churnet Valley Railway nr Leek in Staffordshire could have the answer with an exciting selection of railway gift vouchers. From our sit back in style Sunday Lunch Trains or evening Premier Wine and Dine Experiences to our Footplate Driving Experience courses on one of our Vintage Heritage Steam or Diesel Locomotives. The choice is yours, and for the more budget conscious amongst us we have a fine selection of gift vouchers which can be redeemed for one of our many railway associated gifts including Railway ...

FREE Santa Tickets For Children!

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Special Offer – For every 2 adults the youngest child goes FREE on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd. Why not get Christmas off to an early start with our special offer for the first weekend in December but hurry tickets are selling fast! Santa ticket prices: Adults £10 Children £8 Under 2’s £5! Price includes steam train ride, sherry & mince pies for the adults, chocolate & juice for the children and a present from Santa Telephone 01538 750755 to make your booking ! ...

An Oyster In Cheddleton !

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Since April 2011, the Churnet Valley’s only (current) wagon restoration has been slowly progressing in Cheddleton yard. It is ballast plough brakevan No DB993707, which was built in 1951 by British Railways with the dual purpose of providing braking for freight trains and also for spreading evenly newly laid ballast between the rails during track replacement exercises. The railway currently has four brakevans but for many years only one has been fit for traffic. DB993707 is privately owned and funded but will be available as a second brakevan when completed, making it possible to oper ...

Winter Steam Gala 2013

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Churnet Valley Railway will be holding its annual Winter Steam Gala on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of February 2013 featuring a selection of locomotives working between Froghall and Cauldon Lowe. We are delighted to announce the first visiting locomotive for the event as being ex Southern Railways U Class No. 31806 courtesy of the Mid Hants Railway. Other locomotives set to appear include : United State of America Transportation Corps S160 No. 6046 making its first gala appearance on the line following restoration North Eastern Rail ...

Take The Kids To See Santa. Travel On The 1st & 2nd December And 1 Child Travels Free !

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The railways annual Santa & Steam specials are getting into full swing. Why not bring the family to this hugely popular event. Get in the Christmas spirit early and by prior booking on the 1st & 2nd December 1 kid can travel free. Begin your journey from either Cheddleton or Kingsley & Froghall Station. Prior booking is required please call 01538 750755 during office hours to book your seats. Remember book on the 1st & 2nd December and 1 Child Travels Free ! ...

Loyal Volunteer Finally Retires After 20 Years !

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

After 20 years service, today Bob McDonnell dug his last hole for the railway. Bob has been an integral part of the Civil’s department over the years and as has played his part in helping the railway expand beyond recognition since 1992. In addition to providing essential day to day maintenance at all three stations he has also been first call out for station alarms and actively involved in setting up and monitoring the railways webcams. If that wasn’t enough, in recent years he has also been an active member of the commercial team stage managing and constructing the props a ...

Ghost Train 2012 - What A Spooky Success !

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Churnet Valley Railways 13th Annual Ghost Train event took place on Saturday 27th October 2012 and was a truly spooky success. This is against a backdrop of recent vandalism attacks which saw the majority of the props for this event pointlessly destroyed. The railway was host to over a thousand passengers dressed in a multitude of spooky guises travelling through the railways haunted tunnel before being entertained with live music, a children’s disco, children’s activities and the Caverswall Theatre Company who took over a spooky High Street in White Chapel after it had ...

Timetable Confirmation For 14th October 2012

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Cauldon Lowe Service ONLY. Train departs Froghall Station calling at Consall, Cheddleton and Cauldon Lowe. No interconnecting CVR service will operate on this day. Departs from Froghall at 1030 and 1320. Departs from Cheddleton (Cauldon Lowe bound) at 1100 and 1350 ...

STOP PRESS ! 21st October 2012

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Thinking of joining us for our annual Morris Dancers festival ? This year we are joined by the acclaimed Power Kegs dancers. They will be performing throughout the day at both Cheddleton & Froghall. ...

Dare You Ride The Churnet Valley Railways “Deadly Shadows Express Train”!?

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Dare you ride the Churnet Valley Railways “Deadly Shadows Express Train”!? Then come and join us for a spooktacular evening of fun and entertainment on Saturday 27th October. This year’s theme is centred around a Victorian High Street in the district of “Whitechapel” which is a very dark & dangerous place to shop! To make matters worse the only way to get to the High Street is by walking directly through the streets sewers! Once there not only do you have to be aware of the dodgy traders, but there is also the most sinister goings on….. The ...

The Yanks Are Back In Town !

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

S160 2-8-0 No. 6046 has commenced test runs on passenger services today on the Churnet Valley Railway. It has undergone an extensive restoration over the last 4 years in our workshops at Cheddleton. This is a truly historic occasion for the railway, as it is the first time it nearly 15 years that a locomotive has been fully rebuilt on site, and it is also the first time that 6046 has actually operated a service in the UK since delivery from the USA. We hope that you will understand that as with all things mechanical that problems do and will arise. Whilst we will do our utmost to ke ...

WANTED ! Classic Cars

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

SUNDAY 7th OCTOBER sees the Churnet Valley Railway's Annual Folk Festival and Classic Car Rally with vehicles from the Triumph Sports Six club as well as other private classic vehicles. An opportunity has arisen to accommodate more vehicles than at previous events. It is an open event not limited to age, type of vehicle or manufacturer. Anything ranging from pre 30's cars, classic motor cycles, small commercials, sports cars, and really anything that is interesting are welcome to come along. Please ring 01538 750755 to book your place. ...

Class 20 D8059 Visits For Diesel Gala

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

A little later than planned but we are pleased to announce that D8059 will be our guest locomotive for our forthcoming diesel gala. We are grateful to the owning group and the Severn Valley Railway for the last minute arrangements. We had hoped to bring in a Class 31, however last minutes changes in sponsorship for the transport costs meant we had to change our plans. We hope to be able to bring a 31 in at some future date, possibly when the main line connection is completed. ...

Do You Like Trains, Curry, Beer Or Even All Three?

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

If so why not join us on our Diesel Gala Curry Night Special on Saturday 22nd September 2012 Departing Froghall at 1810 and Cheddleton at 1854, for only £15.00 you get a curry, complimentary beer and up to 3 round trips of the scenic Churnet Valley. Book now on 01538 750755 to reserve your place. ...

69621 Will Steam On At Cheddleton In 2013

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0100

We are delighted to announce that ex LNER N7 No. 69621 will be staying at the Churnet Valley Railway until the 31st of December 2013. After discussions with the East Anglian Railway Museum they have decided to keep the locomotive based at the CVR for the immediate future. 69621 will therefore be one of the locomotives set to feature at the CVR’s Winter Steam Gala on the 23/24th of February 2013. 69621 is expected to see action on the freight train as well as over the line to Cauldon Lowe. ...

Why Not Join Us On The Information Super Highway ?

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Despite being a heritage railway we are embracing modern technology ! To keep updated with the latest news and special offers from the railway join the official Churnet Valley Railway Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Churnet-Valley-Railway-1992-PLC/419469178074597 You will get all the latest news, special offers and information about the railway .Fancy that somewhere special to dine, then join us on one of our exquisite dining trains. Last minute availability is posted directly to our Facebook page. ...

Southern Region U Class No. 31806 To Visit CVR In 2013

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0100

We are delighted to announce that ex Southern Region Maunsell U Class locomotive No. 31806 will be visiting the Churnet Valley Railway for a 3 week period during February & March 2013. 31806 will be one of the star guests at our February Steam Gala that is to take place on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of February 2013. Whilst visiting the railway 31806 will also be available for use on Photographic Charters and Footplate Experience courses, please contact chris.meadowcroftATchurnet-valley-railway.co.uk for further details. (remove AT and replace with @) Our tha ...

UPDATED Timetable Alteration August

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Please note that we will be running our GREEN timetable on the 8th & 22nd & 29th August 2012 ...

Thomas The Tank Engine Comes To The Churnet Valley Railway

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

PEEP PEEP! Thomas The Tank Engine is coming to the Churnet Valley in August Tickets on sale now! Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into the Churnet Valley Railway for a Day Out With Thomas during the August School holidays. This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with a Thomas the Tank Engine steam train, meet The Fat Controller and join in lots of other fun. Thomas will be at the Railway on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th and Bank Holiday Monday 27th August with trains running between Froghall, Consall and Ch ...

PEPPA PIG MAKES HER FIRST APPEARANCE AT CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Local children will be looking forward to the first ever appearance of the loveable Peppa Pig at the Churnet Valley Railway later this month. Peppa Pig and George will be delighting their fans when they make guest appearances at the popular Staffordshire Moorlands tourist attraction on Saturday 11th August, Sunday 12th August and Wednesday 15th August 2012. The popular duo will make personal appearances at certain times throughout the day to coincide with train arrivals and departures. The event will also include face painting, bouncy castle, games and activities, tombola, wal ...

Join Us On Facebook

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Want to know the latest news from the railway ? Latest offers and last minute availability on our dining trains ? Then join our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Churnet-Valley-Railway-1992-PLC/419469178074597 ...

Local Companies Help To Sponsor RailAleTrail

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Churnet Valley Railway’s July beer festival has received a major boost from local companies, many of whom have readily stepped forward to ‘sponsor a cask’ and be associated with this popular event. Churnet Valley Railway Chairman Anthony Hancock, who is co-ordinating corporate sponsorship, said: “We have had a great take-up from local companies who support the Railway. “There are now only eight casks left that have space to advertise local companies’ involvement.” The charge for advertising is just £75 plus VAT for each ca ...

Himalayan Balsam Bashing Event Friday 13th July 10.00 -13.00

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

You will know that we suffer greatly from this invasive weed in the Churnet Valley. At this time of year it is at its most vulnerable and is very easy to uproot and burn or simply bash. We have forests of it sprouting along the trackside at various points in Consall and Froghall. Because this weed is easily carried by wind and water it tends to grow by river and canal banks but now is spreading on to the railway track and other rough land that is not cultivated.This year the Inland Waterways Association are setting up Balsam bashing events in the Churnet Valley area and have asked if w ...

Class 33/1 No. 33102 "Sophie" Test Run 2nd July 2012

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Our resident Class 33 nicknamed ‘Sophie’ has undertaken a test run between Cheddleton and Froghall. The locomotive which was last used in November 2009 has been the subject of an extensive refurbishment. It has required a lot of attention to its bodywork, including complete renewal of drainage channels in the engine room and renewal of ventilation grills along the cant rail. The bottom 6” of each support pillar along the body side has been renewed along with the 12” strip along the bottom edge of the body sides. The cabs has been totally stripped down and rebuilt ...

World War 2 Locomotive Is A Step Closer To Running On The Churnet Valley Railway

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

A locomotive built to help the allied war effort took a major step in its restoration yesterday (29th June 2012) when it moved around the yard at Cheddleton under its own steam for the first time in preservation and also the first time in the UK. The privately owned locomotive is based on the Churnet Valley Railway and when final commissioning tests are complete will be running on the CVR and along the line to Cauldon Lowe. In the fullness of time the locomotive will be prepared for use on Network Rail. This sees the possibility of through trains working from C ...

CVLLP Backed Project Starts

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The North Staffordshire Railway Company, ‘NSRC’, received confirmation late last week that they can now commence the Churnet Valley Living Landscapes Project backed (part of a bigger Heritage Lottery Fund award) which they recently received an award for. This means that the NSRC can now go ahead and place an order for an electricity supply to Leekbrook Junction signalbox. Once installed the power supply will provide for the webcams that will be installed to watch each of the 4 branch lines that meet at Leekbrook Junction. The supply will also power the signalling equipment r ...

North Staffordshire Railway Company Awarded A Grant For Leekbrook Junction Signalbox And Cheddleton Platform

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Over £1.8million is to be invested into a project to conserve a spectacular landscape in the Staffordshire Moorlands and bring a host of long-term environmental, social and economic benefits. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is awarding the £1.89 million grant to the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership (CVLLP), towards an ambitious £3 million programme to protect, enhance and celebrate an area of over 49,000 acres fringing the Peak District. Over the last 18 months, the Partnership has produced a Landscape Conservation Action Plan for the area which consists ...

Enthusiast Specials Offer Rare View Of The Churnet Valley

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Passengers on the Churnet Valley Railway are in for a rare treat when the heritage attraction runs Enthusiast Specials on four days later this month. The special trains will offer the chance to travel along the line south of Froghall to Oakamoor as well as making a return trip to Cauldon Lowe, a 30-mile journey in total. The CVR’s resident heritage Dieseul Multiple Unit (DMU) will be used for the excursions offering unrestricted views of the line. The excusions will be operated over two weekends, Saturday & Sunday May 19 & 20, and May 26 &am ...

Children Free Over May Bank Holiday

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Moorlands’ leading heritage attraction, the Churnet Valley Railway will be especially popular with families over the coming Bank Holiday weekend, with children travelling free on all three days. All children up to the age of 14 will be able to travel free on all the railway’s services over the long weekend. The Railway is offering a full timetable of trains over the weekend, including services on the Cauldon Lowe branch line on Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6. That means passengers will be able to enjoy an extra 16-mile return trip across superb moorland countryside ...

Author Returns For More Signing Days

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Local author Basil Jeuda returns to the Churnet Valley Railway in May to sign copies of his latest book, The North Staffordshire Railway in LMS Days, Vol 2. This volume covers several major railway lines, including the Churnet Valley (from North Rode to Uttoxeter), aspects of Crewe Works, the lines from Crewe to Harecastle and Lawton to Sandbach, and the lines from Stoke to Cheadle, Derby, and Burton. The author looks at the origins of each line and focuses on the 1923 to 1947 period, the decline of existing industries and the rise of new ones, changes in and competition for ...

Kiss The Boys Goodbye - 1940's Weekend

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Take a journey down memory lane to share the tears and laughter, songs and dancing of wartime Britain, as the Churnet Valley Railway hosts its annual 1940’s Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. Kiss the Boys Goodbye will be a nostalgia-filled tribute to the Armed Forces and to those who coped with life on the home front. Always one of the Railway’s biggest events, the weekend will have even more to offer this year with new attractions including an afternoon tea dance on Tuesday May 1. With Union Jacks fluttering and 1940’s fashions everywhere, al ...

New Book Focuses On Local Railway History

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

A major new illustrated work on the history of railways in North Staffordshire has gone on sale. Local author Basil Jeuda launched his book, The North Saffordshire Railway in LMS Days Volume II, at a special signing day at Kingsley & Froghall Station on Sunday April 1. It is the second of three volumes which trace what happened to the former North Staffordshire Railway (“The Knotty”) after it was absorbed by the London Midland & Scottish Railway in 1923 and until the 1948 Nationalisation when British Railways was established. ...

Kids Go For £1 At Easter On The Churnet Valley Railway

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Families visiting the Churnet Valley Railway over the Easter holiday are in for an ‘eggstra’ treat – all children can travel for just £1. The special offers has been announced as the heritage attraction prepares for a big turn-out at the start of its spring season, with passenger services throughout the Easter weekend as well as following Wednesday. For a picturesque 11-mile return journey along the valley, passengers can board at either Kingsley & Froghall Stat ...

Restoration Of Rail Line To Endon Ready To Begin

info@churnet-valley-railway.co.uk (Admin) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The dream of connecting the Moorlands back to the national railway network will move closer to reality when work on restoring the line between Leekbrook and Endon begins within weeks. The project is a joint partnership between Moorland & City Railways and Churnet Valley Railway. Volunteers working on behalf of Churnet Valley Railway, will carry out repairs on the four-mile stretch of track, supported by contractors. And as work beings, the local heritage railway is making renewed efforts to raise share capital with the aim of sending its first steam trains ...