Summer Saturdays Come to the Churnet Valley

The Churnet Valley Railway is pleased to release details of its summer programme, which will include the entry into service of a new guest locomotive.

Brush built Class 47 no. 47292 is to take up residence at Cheddleton MPD, where it will join the resident diesel fleet to supplement locomotives nos. 33021 and 33102. Due to arrive in the next few weeks from its present base at Ruddington, the 47 will be staying on the Churnet Valley for an initial loan period of 5 years. Built as D1994 in 1966 at Crewe Works, the locomotive entered service on the 16th April that year. It was eventually retired from mainline service by Freightliner on 31st December 2003, and was to enter preservation with its current owner on 12th June 2007. Since then it has primarily been based at the Great Central North, with a limited number of visits to other preserved lines. Excitingly for 2022 the Churnet Valley is re-introducing a scheduled diesel service into its planned timetable. For eleven Saturdays throughout the summer, the 1030 departure from Froghall for Ipstones will be operated one of our resident diesel fleet (including 47292) that will see the locomotive operate a 20-mile return trip that includes the steep gradients of the Cauldon branch. Long before coal supplies had come into question, the decision had been made to include this for 2022 in order assist with crew competence and provide an opportunity for the diesel locomotives to have a regular guaranteed turn. The first of these services will depart on Saturday 11th June to our Blue Timetable, which will include an early evening service to enjoy the longer daylight hours in the valley. As the railway progresses with its Reconnect Leek extension, we plan to see regular diesel hauled services return on a more regular basis along the Churnet Valley. To further enhance such services, our engineering team is currently actively planning the construction of a dedicated steam heat vehicle that will enable such operations to occur during the colder winter months. It will also increase flexibility on occasions when we are unable to provide a steam locomotive. For further information, and to book tickets for these services, please visit churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk