Churnet Revisited

We had a nice day out yesterday on the Churnet Valley Railway in the Staffordshire moorlands, with morning and afternoon return trips from Froghall station, before finishing off with a cup of tea in the attractively presented buffet. The nameplate of Coronation Pacific No 46254 City of Stoke on Trent, high up on the wall, was a great reminder of an engine we saw many times at Crewe in our train spotting days.

The USA Class S160 is a distinctive steam loco, but not a type that we came into contact with in our youth. She did a good job on the sustained uphill sections at the top of the line, warranting her choice as the regular go-to motive power class used by the railway.

Thanks are due to Debbie in the office, for helping us to rearrange our visit, and to Richard on the platform, who obliged by taking our group photo in the café and for providing helpful directions during the day.