A RAIL37 Churnet Valley Railway picture report

 CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY
 14th JULY 2002

 Summer comes to the Churnet Valley and I joined the train at Froghall to go to Cheddleton and then a walk along the canal towpath to take a few shots of the 12.54 from Froghall.

 68030 romping across the meadows while approaching Cheddleton Station from Froghall.

 08 shunter D3991 was on display.

 There was plenty of time to return to the station before the next train departed for Froghall. Here, the train has just arrived from its reversal at Leekbrook.

 Froghall and official notification of a new station building is posted.

 Froghall station and the site for the new building.

 68030 taking on water.

 CVR telephone exchange.

 Oakamoor station looking North towards the tunnel, the buildings were situated just to the left of the camera. Through the trees in the centre was the point at which the siding for Bolton's copper mill veered off to the right. This was where the battery locomotive, currently at Cheddleton, used to operate.

 Still looking North and the bay is on the left of the platform.

Taken from almost the same spot, back in the 1950's, this view of Oakamoor Station reveals Bolton's sidings and the tunnel in the distance. Just visible are the road crossing gates and the signal box now all long gone. If you know where to look, the signal box base can just be identified.

This little gem was taken from almost the same spot sometime in the early 1970's and features a sponsored walk to raise funds for the railway.

 Looking South.

 The start of the walkway along the track bed towards Alton.

 Site of Oakamoor signal box.

 Remains of the bridge across the Churnet river that carried the road leading to the station

 Access to the station site is now along the paved track bed.

 At the extreme North end of the track can be seen the southern entrance to Oakamoor Tunnel, now fenced off. Many years ago when we were still dreaming about reopening the line, a group of us walked the tunnel to see what condition it was in. The idea was to use the tunnel for stock storage. From memory it was very sound but somewhat hazardous because it curves and there is a point at which neither end can be seen. Add to this the fact that there are open drains along the centre and it becomes somewhat scary.

 Alton station.

 Listing

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