Guest loco to join the fleet for railway’s new timetable

CHURNET Valley Railway has announced 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 numbers 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 five years.

Built as D1994 in 1966 at Crewe Works, the locomotive entered service on April 16 that year.

It was eventually retired from mainline service by Freightliner on December 31, 2003, and was to enter preservation with its current owner on June 12, 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 11 Saturdays throughout the summer, the 10.30 departure from Froghall for Ipstones will be operated by one of the 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 to 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, June 11, to the railway’s Blue Timetable, which will include an early evening service to enjoy the longer daylight hours in the valley.

A spokesman said: “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.”

To find out more visit churnetvalley railway.co.uk.