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Churnet Valley Railway - extension towards Leek town from Leekbrook

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duffield

duffield

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E759 said:
...I came by public transport: I can’t see an extension to Leek helping those of us coming via public transport though; you just stay on the bus a bit longer? Thanks.
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You'll be able to get the Number 18 buses to Leek, which don't pass through Cheddleton, as well as the Number 16 which does. Also, I believe Leek station will be right by the bus stop, is that the case in Cheddleton?
 
E759

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duffield said:
You'll be able to get the Number 18 buses to Leek, which don't pass through Cheddleton, as well as the Number 16 which does. Also, I believe Leek station will be right by the bus stop, is that the case in Cheddleton?
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Thank you. Sounds better. Cheddleton is a nice roll down the hill. And a hard slog back up it at the end of the day!
 
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lil Bear

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Old Yard Dog said:
Hasn't the line from Ipstones to Cauldon Low been lifted?
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Hence I said reopen...

E759 said:
I attended the 1940’s event this year and thought it was superb. The battle on the platform, allies vs axis-powers, was brilliant and the Home Guard characters pulled off impressive Dad’s Army humour of the first order. I came by public transport: I can’t see an extension to Leek helping those of us coming via public transport though; you just stay on the bus a bit longer? Thanks.
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More buses arrive into Leek, than pass Cheddleton & Froghall. And the service is more frequent also.
 
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lil Bear

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E759 said:
Thank you. Sounds better. Cheddleton is a nice roll down the hill. And a hard slog back up it at the end of the day!
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Why not walk along the canal from opposite the Flint Mill? Saves the legs from a difficult climb...

There is also proposals to open a bus stop opposite the entrance to Leekbrook Junction. It is hoped to be agreed for 2020, but shall have to wait and see.
 
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theblackwatch

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Very disappointing news that the CVR had to cancel its S160 event yesterday due to flooding. I hope any damage caused on the line isn't as bad as some of the photos I have seen make it look and that the railway doesn't have to divert its efforts (both in manpower and finances) to make good any damage caused by the floods.
 
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lil Bear

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theblackwatch said:
Very disappointing news that the CVR had to cancel its S160 event yesterday due to flooding. I hope any damage caused on the line isn't as bad as some of the photos I have seen make it look and that the railway doesn't have to divert its efforts (both in manpower and finances) to make good any damage caused by the floods.
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It's bad, but not as bad as it could be. Stobart Rail take possession of the line on Thursday, and should have the repairs completed well ahead of our Santa Specials.

We just need to pay for them, so any donations greatly appreciated !
https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/donations
 
Baxenden Bank

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More news on the extension to Leek

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/it-really-full-steam-ahead-3968444

It really is full steam ahead!' – Railway could return to town after £1.4m grant

The European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development awarded the funds to the Heritage Railway Infrastructure project

Leek could soon be welcoming the railway back into the town after Churnet Valley Railway was awarded a grant of more than £1.4 million.

The European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development has awarded £1,427,906.83 for the Heritage Railway Infrastructure project to reconnect Leek to the rail network.

The funding will cover 80 per cent of the cost of construction of just under one-mile of railway line and associated infrastructure from the present railhead to a new station off Barnfields Road; protecting the underground utilities; and providing a new footpath alongside the railway track.

It will also reconnect the former railway triangle at Leekbrook Junction, creating the first original operational triangle offering three different destinations in UK Preservation.

Anthony Hancock, chairman of the not-for-profit heritage railway, said: “Re-instating the line to Leek has been the ambition of so many people for many years and thanks to support from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and its leader, the dedicated effort from CVR volunteers and this fantastic funding award, this ambition is going to be fully realised. It really is full steam ahead now!”

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has been supporting the Churnet Valley Railway for a number of years in recognition of the important contribution the heritage railway makes to the wider visitor economy as well as enabling local residents to experience and enjoy their local heritage.

Councillor Sybil Ralphs, leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: “This is a real vote of confidence in the potential of the visitor economy – and an acknowledgement that attractions such as this heritage railway can both encourage tourists to come to the Moorlands and then to stay longer”

The extension to Leek is just part of a wider proposals to extend the line – eventually passengers will be able to board the train at Oakamoor and travel directly to Leek, via all stations in-between, enabling people to enjoy the countryside without the need to take their car every time.

The announcement comes just as the Churnet Valley Railway is gearing up for the main operating season of 2020. This April sees the Border Explorer take to the rails, allowing visitors to travel every inch of the current serviceable rail network under the control of the CVR.

Mr Hancock added: “We also need to raise the final 20 per cent ourselves so we hope to welcome as many visitors as possible in 2020.”

Last week, the Moorlands Partnership Board, which is part of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, approved a grant of £12,791 towards the project. The grant will allow more work on the trackbed to the amount of more than £25,000.

A grant of £19,000 was offered last March 2019 towards the cost of reinstating the track on operational land.

Members were asked to approve a further grant offer from the MPB against the cost of restoring a further section of the track bed at a cost of £25,180. The applicant has requested a grant of £12,560 plus VAT to cover the costs of the contractor.

Councillor Mike Bowen said: “This is a big move to get the railway back into Leek. It could then be looked at to get the line to Stoke. This would take a massive amount of traffic off the roads. I support that this grant goes ahead as it is important to the project.”

Councillor Hilda Sheldon, who is also the chairman of the Moorlands Partnership Board, said: “This project opens up huge tourism opportunities for the Staffordshire Moorlands. It is a very important project.”
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Malcmal

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Baxenden Bank said:
More news on the extension to Leek

It will also reconnect the former railway triangle at Leekbrook Junction, creating the first original operational triangle offering three different destinations in UK Preservation.
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Completely incorrect :D
 
Cowley

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Ash Bridge

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So it seems the Churnet Valley Rly. will need to insert "standard gauge" into that claim then!
 
Baxenden Bank

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Ash Bridge said:
So it seems the Churnet Valley Rly. will need to insert "standard gauge" into that claim then!
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It's one of those spurious claims in order to create 'uniqueness'. Like the wettest day (since the last time it was "the wettest day since"). I guess most people, even on this forum, aren't all that bothered. If you bag track you'll want to yellow felt-tip it whether it is 'original' or 'brand new', standard gauge (GB) or narrow. If you like railways you'll be pleased to see one expanding and might go for a ride, triangle or not.
 
Baxenden Bank

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pdeaves said:
Bodmin is a 'Y'. The south end of the West Somerset has a turning triangle.
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The West Somerset being a modern creation, hence their careful insertion of the word 'original'. However, as posted by others, although a rarity, it is not as unique as they think!
 
bishdunster

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Actually Norton Fitzwarren on the WSR may well be unique as there are actually 2 usable triangles, check it out on Google Earth (other aerial mapping sites are available !) ;).
 
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lil Bear

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As part of our planning for Leek, our supporting charity - THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY COMPANY (1978) LTD - is currently running an appeal to pay for the purchase and transport of three Mark 1 Coaches which are to be restored for use on the expansion of services to Leek. The aim is to have at least two rakes of five coaches available for when services to Leek commence,

The NSRC have purchase TSO nos. E3809 and S4046 alongside SO no. M4366 at a total cost of £17,000. An internal appeal raised the first £7,000 and since going public with the appeal further donations have come in to take the total above £11,000. The TSOs are destined to join the standard service fleet, whilst the SO will become a second dedicated dining vehicle in the exact same style as 4779 "Diana".

The two companies acknowledge this is a difficult time for many, making the achievement even more wonderful given the circumstances. The three coaches were bought before the global pandemic took hold, and whilst the railway is currently in shutdown the bills for these still need to be paid despite the line’s main income stream currently being shut off.

Having flown past the halfway mark, and raised over 65% of the target, the appeal remains open to those wishing to help. Donations of all sizes are welcome, with some people donating the price of pint while others have donated the cost of a day out to the CVR. Donations have been received in memory of loved ones who have some form of association with Leek and/or the railway, whilst others have just wanted to help “their” railway in one way or another. Whatever the support, whatever the reason, it is all welcomed and appreciated by the hard-working volunteers of the Churnet Valley Railway.

The Churnet Valley Railway has long hoped to return trains to the Moorlands largest market town and, having received an 80% grant from the European Agriculture Rural Development Fund, efforts are now concentrating on ensuring contracts and necessary legal paperwork is all in place so that a start can be made as soon as the current restrictions on movement are lifted. With many people asking how can they help, the Coach Appeal is one such way to so for now; with further schemes and appeals to be announced later in the year that will allow supporters of the line to get as actively involved as they wish with Reconnecting Leek.

If you wish to support the appeal, then the NSRC has set up a Total Giving page that allows you to donate towards these coaches.
https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/cvr_coaches
 
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lil Bear

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Ash Bridge said:
Just sent my small contribution to what I would consider a very worthy project!
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Thank You!

Another attempt to raise monies, we have now registered the NSRC on Amazon Smile. This allows the charity to collect 0.5% of all orders made through smile by users who have selected the NSRC as their chosen charity. It’s quick and easy to set up, so if anyone is willing to do so we’d be most appreciative once more.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/

And also finally we are trying to encourage people to nominate us with "Movement for Good", who are offering 500 charities £1000 during the Coronavirus shutdown. The NSRC charity number is 514172, and all you have to do is nominate them. It takes less than a minute, and you are restricted to 1x entry per e-mail address...
www.movementforgood.com

Movement for Good - Ecclesiastical

Join our Movement for Good, helping to change people's lives for the better
www.movementforgood.com www.movementforgood.com
 
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