Steam Railways in Preservation
December 1993
A few items from old papers.
Churnet Valley to bid for line
Churnet Valley Railway, the PLC formed to return steam to the ‘Knotty’, were this week invited by BR to bid for the seven mile long truncated stretch of the former Leek to Uttoxeter line.
The Company see the move as a major step to colonising the sand line which has lain dormant and rusty, agonisingly just feet away from their Cheddleton station base, since rail traffic to glass makers Pilkington’s finished more than four years ago.
Directors of Churnet Valley Railway are launching an immediate appeal for £400,000 to secure the line, which last saw service – save for sporadic DMU ‘excursions’ from Cheddleton, in 1965.
Locals know the picturesque area as ‘Little Switzerland’ and the PLC hope to create a tourist attraction capable of attracting more then 50,000 visitors a year.
Bahamas Coaster
The passion and life of a steam express locomotive… ex LMS Jubilee ‘Bahamas’ thunders out of Llandudno Junction bound for Holyhead with last weekend’s (1993) ‘Cymru Coaster’ express. Photo – Gwyn Roberts
Happy at Bodmin
There is bright news at Bodmin & Wenford this week, reports Managing Director Mr. Keith Searle.
Takings for the summer season look like equalling or even beating last year’s totals – despite the fact that the visit by ‘City of Truro’ was most certainly a tough act to follow, railway interest wise. ‘This may not sound too impressive following the rapid growth of previous years, but compares favourably enough with reports which are coming in from other buslnesses’ commented Mr. Searle.
North Yorkshire Moors
Winter is season for smaller tanks to show off.
With the larger locos being put into storage and undergoing maintenance, the winter months give the smaller tank locomotives an opportunity to ‘rule the roost’ on passenger services until spring.
In company with the USA160 280, Standard Class 4, 2-6-4T 80135 and Robert Stephenson 0-6-2T No.5 will be operating services on the line.
Keighley looks forward to its Winter visitors.
Winter is certainly an interesting time for the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
No less than three visiting main line engines are calling at the Railway before April.
Black 5 44767 ‘George Stephenson’ together with 45596 ‘Bahamas’ will arrive at the Railway on New Year’s Day, Saturday January 1st, 1994.
No.44767 will stay at Haworth throughout the winter; departure depends upon main line commitments but it is not expected to be before Easter Enthusiast’s Weekend on April 16 & 17 1994.
The owners of 44767 and 5305 Alderman Draper have agreed Sunday January 23 as the day when the two Black 5s will be in traffic on the branch. Both Black 5s will work at least one trip double-heading on the service train and also ‘turn and turn about’ on Parcels and Goods workings.
Keighley’s ex-LMS 3F 0-6-0T No.47279 trickles light engine back into Haworth Yard after completing its roster for the day. Photo: Duncan Young.
Steam Drivers Sought
Are you a qualified driver…. Or an enthusiast who wants to train for service rosters in beautiful North Wales?
Following the success of two train services on the 12¼” gauge Fairbourne & Barmouth Steam Railway near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, this season, the Railway is now anxious to recruit four additional seasonal steam drivers (of either gender) for the coming 1994 season.
The eight-mile long Manifold Valley Light Railway near Thor’s Cave, a quirky 2′ 6″ gauge railway boasting fantastic scenery and fine colonial-style locomotives which brought a unique flavour to North Staffordshire.
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