USATC No. 5197 on the Churnet Valley
Froghall and the S160
7 September 2003
The Churnet Valley was another of those "must get around to
it" railways. I have driven past the northern end of the line
many times, photographed the sand trains which last ran in
1988 (see "Monorail - Geoff’s Mouldy Oldies" page 6), and
visited the headquarters at Cheddleton several times. But I'd
never been since passenger trains began operating ("Shame
on you"....).
I'd intended to drive to Cheddleton - but we were a little later
setting out than intended - we would probably have arrived just
after the train left, and would have had over an hour to wait for
the next. So we drove to Froghall, at present the southern limit
of passenger operations - with its fine new station building*, well
worth a visit in its own right. The tea room looked very
promising too (must keep the household authorities happy...).
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
Our train duly arrived, in the capable looking hands of former
USATC S160 no. 5197. Built in 1945 by Lima, this locomotive was
shipped to Europe - but by the end of the year was in China,
where it worked for the next 50 years. It then returned to
Europe - to the Llangollen Railway, where it resided for five
more years, before moving to the Churnet Valley in 2000.
We had a very enjoyable run up the line to Leek Brook,
travelling in the front compartment for the full benefit of the
sharp exhaust - and that wonderful chime whistle. Then back to
Froghall - where the tea room more than lived up to its promise
- truly excellent! I think we'll be going there again....
Link:
Churnet Valley Railway
