Churnet Valley Railway
The Churnet Valley Railway is a 10½-mile standard-gauge heritage railway running through the Staffordshire Moorlands on the former North Staffordshire Railway (the "Knotty") line through the Churnet Valley. Trains run from Cheddleton through Consall and Froghall (with a connection across the canal to the Foxfield Railway preserved colliery line) to Ipstones, opened progressively from 1996 and culminating in the Ipstones extension in the 2010s.
The Churnet Valley line is regarded as one of the most picturesque preserved routes in Britain, with the railway running along the wooded valley alongside the Caldon Canal for much of the route. The headquarters site at Cheddleton retains the original NSR station building and signal box.
The railway has a strong NSR / LMS focus in its preservation philosophy, with rolling stock and signage in NSR colours. The fleet is mainly small tank engines and ex-BR diesels suitable for the line.
History
The Cheddleton Railway Centre was established at the closed Cheddleton station in 1973, initially as a static museum. After many years of negotiation with British Rail (and later EWS) the Society obtained running rights and reopened Cheddleton to Leekbrook in 1996, with progressive extensions south to Consall and Froghall over the following years. The northern extension to Ipstones was completed in the 2010s.
Original line history
The Churnet Valley line was opened in 1849 by the North Staffordshire Railway as a route from North Rode (on the Macclesfield line) through Leek and the Churnet valley to Uttoxeter. The line carried mineral, agricultural, and tourist traffic, Rudyard Lake on the route was a popular Victorian destination. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1965 and the line was reduced to a freight branch from Stoke to serve Oakamoor sand quarry until final closure in 1988.
Stations and infrastructure
Cheddleton is the headquarters with a full station, museum, signal box, and restoration workshops. Consall is a small intermediate halt overlooking the canal. Froghall (Kingsley & Froghall) is the southern terminus with a substantial restored NSR station building. Ipstones is the northern terminus.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The line operates regular weekend services, plus dining trains, real-ale specials, themed steam galas, and Santa Specials in December.
Visitor information
Cheddleton is signposted from the A520 between Stoke and Leek. The line operates weekends and selected weekdays in season.