Structures and Stations

The Churnet Valley Railway is a remnant of the North Staffordshire Railway, built in the 1840s in a distinctive style. After passenger services ceased, many structures were demolished or allowed to decay. The C.V.R. has an ongoing campaign of restoration and rebuilding that is slowly putting things right.

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Leekbrook

Leekbrook Station is currrently the northern limit of the C.V.R.
It was built in the late 19th century to serve St. Edwards mental hospital. There was only ever one platform, where passengers and goods transferred to and from the tramway that ran to the hospital. There are no plans to reopen this station and, although trains currently stop here, the passengers stay on board while the locos run round. Alongside is the disused signal box and behind is Leekbrook Junction and the start of the Cauldon Low branch.

Leekbrook Tunnel is 476 yards long and would originally have been double-track. The "down" track has been lifted, leaving the "up" track hugging the left-hand side.

Kingsley & Froghall

The original Kingsley and Froghall Station was demolished in the 1960s. Its replacement was completed in 2004 and includes a victorian tearoom. Early in 2010, the C.V.R. moved its administration offices from Cheddleton into the first floor. This was previously a holiday flat, which was not profitable.

In 2007, a shelter was added as part of the restoration of the "up" platform, in anticipation of services to Oakamoor. The track continues as far as Oakamoor Tunnel but is currently only accessible by "light railcar", i.e. not by heavy steam engines.

Oakamoor

Oakamoor Station was another Jacobean structure in the N.S.R. style. Unfortunately, in the 1970s, after years of dereliction, it was set on fire and then demolished. Only the platforms now remain.

The former crossing-keeper's house, however, has survived and is now a private dwelling. The crossing itself has gone but may be restored, if the C.V.R.'s ambition to run its tracks through to Alton is realised. Oakamoor Tunnel, in the background, is currently used to store stock.

Cheddleton

Cheddleton Station is an original survivor of the North Stafforshire Railway, built in the Jacobean style, typical of the N.S.R.

The building contains the ticket office and a small museum of artefacts from the railway.

The original signal box was burnt down in the 1970s but has been replaced with this authentic N.S.R. example, rescued from Elton Crossing on the Sandbach branch. At the moment, it's in the wrong place, having been sited to control Cheddleton yard in the early days of the C.V.R. Some time in the future, it will be moved to the original position, where it will be able to control the level-crossing and the signalling for the passing loop.

Alton

Alton Station was built in an Italianate style to please the Earl of Shrewsbury, who owned nearby Alton Towers. It is now owned by the Landmark Trust and can be rented as holiday accommodation.

In late 2009, much of the site was cleared of trees, revealing the down platform and the bay platform, which had previously been lost in the undergrowth.

Also revealed were the passenger walkways leading up the hill towards Alton Towers.

Consall

Consall Station wasn't added to the railway until 1902. It was so squeezed for space, between the river and the canal, that one platform and its waiting room were built overhanging the canal. The current station is a replica, the original having disappeared in the 1980s.

The original signal box was also lost but has been replaced with another authentic N.S.R. example, transplanted from Clifton.

London Bridge was named after the company that built it to carry ironstone over the railway to the Caldon Canal. "Consall Minerals Limited" had its head office in London and was known locally as the "London Company".

Denstone

Denstone Station was built for another bigwig family, the Heywoods, who owned what is now Denstone College They were obviously not as influential as the Shrewsburies, as their station was humbler than Alton. It had low platforms, so that wooden steps were needed get on and off the trains.

The official railway website is at www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk