Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway
The Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway (L&MVLR) was a narrow gauge railway in Staffordshire, Great Britain that operated between 1904 and 1934. When in operation, the line mainly carried milk from dairies in the region, acting as a feeder into the standard gauge system. The line was built to a gauge of 2 feet and 6 inches (762mm) and to light rail standards to reduce construction costs. The line had several wagons that were capable of transporting standard gauge wagons. The railway's engineer was E.R. Calthrop, who had experience of building narrow gauge railways in India. It was ran by the North Staffordshire Railway which later became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923. The route of the line is now a footpath.
Geography
The North Staffordshire Railway's branch from Leek ended at Waterhouses. The line continued from an end-on junction with this line. First, the line down the River Hamps, before turning up the [limestone]] gorge that the River Manifold had formed, through to through to Hulme End, via Thor's Cave Wetton Mill, Grindon, Beeston, Sparrowlee, Butterton and Ecton.
History
The line was closed in 1934, being outcompeted by buses and lorries.
Locomotives and Rolling Stock
Two outside-cylindered 2-6-4Ts were built by Kitson of Leeds in 1904. Number 1 was named E.R. Calthrop, after the line's engineer and number 2 was named J.B. Earle. Due to the influence of Calthrop, the locomotives had a somewhat colonial appearance with large headlights which were never used. The locos were originally painted brown with gold and black lining, after the grouping replaced by crimson lake with gold and black lining and latterly after the Great Depression had set in with plain black.
There were four coaches; two first class and two brake composite thirds. These were originally painted yellow, and later repainted crimson lake.
Freight wagons consisted of one box van and two open wagons. However, there were also four short and one long transporter wagons. These were used to carry standard gauge wagons, particularly milk tankers and coal wagons to sidings along the route.
The line today
The Manifold Valley footpath and cycle way was opened in 1937, which continues on to Waterhouses, via Hulme End, as a narrow country lane. There is a tunnel along the route, now used as a motor car route. Some of the most spectacular scenery can be found along the eight mile route, including Thor's Cave, Wetton Hill and Beaston Tor.
The Old Railway Hotel at Hulme End is now called the Manifold Valley Hotel. There are campsites at Hulme End and Wetton Village.
Ecton Hill, a 4,000 year old copper mine lies along the route, there is still evidence of the railway's loading platforms along the route of the old railway, a Dairy once stod here and you can still see where milk churnes were once loaded onto the morning milk train, the dairy was also once famous for its Stilton cheese.
Modelling
In 4mm scale for OO9, Slater's Plasticard produce a kit of the locomotives (link), and Worsley Works produce a basic kit for the carriages (link). There is a model at the visitor's centre in Hulme End.
Further Reading
- Jenkins, S.C. Leek and Manifold Light Railway (video) ASIN 0853614148
- Porter, L. (1997) Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway ISBN 1873775202