S160s Double-header Weekend

6th May 2017

The Churnet Valley Railway to the east of Stoke-on-Trent operates along a part of the former North Staffordshire Railway's (NSR) Churnet Valley Line. Regular services travel between the two main stations at Cheddleton and Kingsley and Froghall with an intermediate station at Consall.

On special occasions, such as the Double-headed S160s Weekend on May 6/7 2017, trains also head beyond Cheddleton to Leek Brook Junction (the limit of the Churnet Valley Railway's track) and up the steep 1-in-40 climb to Ipstones.

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5197 and 6046 storming through Leek Valley Junction at the start of the climb to Ipstones.

5197 and 6046 storming through Leek Valley Junction at the start of the climb to Ipstones.

The Churnet Valley Railway to the east of Stoke-on-Trent operates along a part of the former North Staffordshire Railway's (NSR) Churnet Valley Line. Regular services travel between the two main stations at Cheddleton and Kingsley and Froghall with an intermediate station at Consall.

On special occasions, such as the Double-headed S160s Weekend on May 6/7 2017, trains also head beyond Cheddleton to Leek Brook Junction (the limit of the Churnet Valley Railway's track) and up the steep 1-in-40 climb to Ipstones.

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5197 and 6046 start the climb to Ipstones at Leek Valley Junction.

Leading loco 5197 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in 1945 and shipped out to China in January 1946. She spent the majority of her working life in the Chinese Coal Industry around Fushun, before being withdrawn in the 1990s. UK preservationist Derek Foster saved her from scrap in 1995.

Train loco 6046 was also built by the Baldwin Locomotive Company and exported straight to France in 1945 to help with the war effort. Once her use with the French SNCF came to an end 6046 found her way to Hungary where she was eventually bought by Martin Haynes who brought her to the UK.

Both locos were bought by Greg Wilson 5197 in 2001 and 6046 in 2006. Greg subsequently moved them to the Churnet Valley Railway where they work regularly on both passenger and freight trains.

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5197 and 6046 pounding their way up through Bradnop

Pounding their way up through Bradnop on their way to Ipstones. Both locos sporting a healthy head of steam.

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6046 taking the lead and 5197 as the train loco at Leek Valley Junction on day two.

On day two of the Double-headed S160s Weekend the locos switched roles with 6046 taking the lead and 5197 as the train loco. Once again here seen at Leek Valley Junction.

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6046 already on shed waiting for disposal as 5197 as leaves the final train of the day to the diesel 33012 Sophie

At the end of the day 6046 is already on shed waiting for disposal and 5197 as leaves the final train of the day to the diesel 33012 Sophie that will take it on to Froghall.

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5197 coming onto the shed for disposal.

5197 coming onto the shed for disposal at the end of the Double-headed S160s Weekend.

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Driver of 5197 waiting for permission to set back onto the disposal road.

Driver of 5197 waiting for permission to set back onto the disposal road.

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Close up of 5197's running gear.

Close up of 5197's running gear clearly demonstrating the easy access available for maintenance.