7th July 2001
The Churnet Valley Railway Diesel Gala

Some images (all taken at Cheddleton) and a brief review of the Saturday events.

Although only a small line, the Churnet Valley Railway certainly put on a good show using its own fleet of diesels. The main train over the line was using traction chosen from class 20 D8154, class 25 D7672 "Tamworth Castle" and 33102 - during the day just about all combinations were tried, including all three together on the days last run from Consall to Leekbrook Junction and back to Cheddleton!

Between trains from Cheddleton it was also possible to rack up a few hundred yards behind class 04 D2334 which was in sole charge of the brake van rides from the bay platform into the yard and back - class 08 D3420 was to have also been used but was failed with a dodgy compressor.

All in all a good value day out at £6 for the days ticket which allowed travel on all services. There certainly seemed a good turn-out with many familiar faces being seen during the day.

For the record, the trains on Saturday were;

Train From - To Traction
11.00
11.24
??.??		 Cheddleton - Consall
Consall - Leekbrook Jn
Leekbrook Jn - Cheddleton		 33102 + D8154
D8154
D8154
12.10
12.34
??.??		 Cheddleton - Consall
Consall - Leekbrook Jn
Leekbrook Jn - Cheddleton		 D7672
33102
33102
13.20
13.44
??.??		 Cheddleton - Consall
Consall - Leekbrook Jn
Leekbrook Jn - Cheddleton		 D8154
D7672 (D8154 on rear)
D8154 (D7672 on rear)
14.30
14.54
??.??		 Cheddleton - Consall
Consall - Leekbrook Jn
Leekbrook Jn - Cheddleton		 D8154 (D7672 on rear)
D7672
D7672
15.40
16.04
??.??		 Cheddleton - Consall
Consall - Leekbrook Jn
Leekbrook Jn - Cheddleton		 33102 + D7672
D8154 + D7672
D7672 + D8154
16.50
17.14
??.??		 Cheddleton - Consall
Consall - Leekbrook Jn
Leekbrook Jn - Cheddleton		 D7672 + D8154
D8154 + D7672 + 33102
D7672 + D8154 + 33102


D8154 about to hand over to D7672 which would take out the 12.10 departure.


D7672 "Tamworth Castle" waiting time with the 12.10 departure.


D2334 was in charge of the brake van rides from the bay platform to yard.


A small adjustment needs to be made before D8154 is hooked on for the 13.20 departure!!


D8154 on the 14.30 departure - as seen from the brake van ride.


33102 in the yard between duties.

Photos and review : Gary Thornton.

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