Churnet Valley

Young Guns in the Churnet Valley 26 April 2008

My thanks to Steve, Chris and John above, a great bunch of guys, who allowed me to join them for an exhilarating journey aboard the S160 during the War Weekend at the Churnet Valley Railway; also thanks to Steve and Tony for giving me special permission to film on the lineside.

The trio claim an average age of 22 which makes them one of the youngest footplate crews in the preservation movement. For those of us who watch the increasing youth of policemen with some despondency, it was always some consolation that locomotive crews grow old with you; so this revelation was a bit traumatic!

After spending my day in the company of the most beautiful machine created by man (a GWR Manor) I experienced the other end of the spectrum on Saturday with a day in the company of one of the ugliest (no, not a Mitsubishi Warrior!). S160s are essentially 2-8-0 freight locos with small wheels (leaving a gap like the 9F 'spaceships') and they were supplied to the UK in large numbers by the US to help the war effort. It seems a bit unfair when the GIs came over here and helped themselves to the most beautiful of our women that they should give us these in exchange (ok and the stockings!), but it was ever thus!

John stokes the fire as Chris keeps watch and 5197 departs from the station at picturesque Consall with total disregard for those of us who are enjoying a quiet drink and the peace of the canal!. (5.8mB)

After departing Consall, Driver Woolliscroft soon gets the S160 'spaceship' up to the 25mph needed to escape the Earth's gravitational pull. (3.7mB)

After the SS Officer suddenly becomes suspicious that the S160 may be an enemy loco (it does have 'USA' painted in very large letters on the side of the tender right next to where he is standing!) we see a hasty departure from Froghall; the S160 speeds past the demolition site of the old mill and soon arrives at Ruelow Wood. (5.0mB)

Winter Steam Gala 23,24 February 2008

My thanks to all the organisers and volunteers who produced an exciting Gala at the CVR. The weather was much changed from last week with glowering skies and some light drizzle on Sunday. The forecast, however, was much worse, so one has to count one's blessings!

There were five locomotives in steam, though 3 of them were facing down the gradient which reduced the opportunities substantially. Star guest was V2 4771 Green Arrow supported by Super D 49395 and home engines S160 5197, 4F 44222 and Standard tank 80098. Green Arrow, in particular, was most impressive, and it is to my regret that balance dictates I can only show two of her trips.

Over the weekend I was engaged in gathering material with Mark Found for a DVD which will be produced by the Railway Channel. We had enthusiastic support from the railway, who were highly co-operative for which we are tremendously grateful.

4771 belies the reduced pressure in her boiler and an emasculated whistle as she rampages out of Consall on Saturday. Not everyone was impressed, however. (3.4mB)

4771 Not much let-up as Green Arrow rounds the curve north of Consall on the next trip. (1.7mB)

Amazingly my wife instantly recognised the S160 from a visit it made to Loughborough a few years ago; she obviuosly has an affinity with ugly things! Here the inveterately noisy 5197 - supplied by the US during WWII as a contribution to our war effort - makes a relatively quiet departure from Consall. We were all disappointed to see that the local attraction - a white truck which had been literally ditched at the edge of the canal (presumably by a drunken customer of the Black Lion) - had been removed. (4.3mB)

Exits from Leekbrook tunnel were invariably dull affairs as the crews cut-off before the mouth. Late on Saturday afternoon Super D 49395 and 4F 44422 exit the tunnel in stately fashion.(1.9mB)

A Cheddleton departure by Standard Tank 80098 on Saturday afternoon. (2.4mB)

Super D 49395 leaves Cheddleton with the final train of the Gala. The area around the station is beautiful and fortunately the departure coincided with a lovely sunset. If you look carefully you can see several swarms of starlings in the distance. Fortunately there was no sign of Bill Oddie, but as Simon King would say, "What a treat!".

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