The Apedale Valley Light Railway
Apedale - open for traffic
18 September 2010
To quote MRT, "Since arriving on the Apedale
site in 2006, a small band of Moseley Railway
Trust volunteers have worked relentlessly to
develop the site and build the AVLR. Today you
can enjoy the fruits of their labour". Yes,
passenger trains are now running at Apedale -
the occasion this weekend being the "Grand
Opening Gala". Star attractions (in addition to
the fleet of diesel, petrol and battery-electric
locos) would be the Trust's own "Stanhope" (Kerr Stuart 2395
of 1917) and visitors "Edward Sholto" (Hunslet 996 of 1909)
and new-build "Paddy", the unusual vertical-boilered tender
loco.
The line opened today is currently about 0.5km in length, but
plans are in place to extend the passenger line to 1.9km. None
of the locomotives at Apedale were actually built for passenger
work, and long term plans include construction of a
demonstration line for the industrial locomotives to demonstrate
the sort of thing they were built for. Now that passengers are
being carried, the Trust has a source of funds which should
enable those plans to be realised.
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
Little more needs to be said - the Moseley Trust's
website gives more details (including how to get
there...). If you're in the area, pay the line a
visit, and have a ride on Staffordshire's newest
passenger railway. Make a day of it - visit the
Apedale Heritage Centre's museum, take their
trip down the coal mine - and dine on the
wonderful Staffordshire oatcakes in the
cafeteria... All highly recommended!
