The Foxfield Railway is a preservedstandard gauge line located south east of Stoke-on-Trent. The line was built in 1893 to serve the colliery at Dilhorne on the Cheadle Coalfield. It joined the North Staffordshire Railway line near Blythe Bridge. It is open at weekends and operates trains on Sundays, Bank Holidays and some Saturdays from April to October and Santa Special trains in December. It is home to the Knotty Coach Trust, The Foxfield Miniature Railway, a museum, café, bar, shop and hosts visits from the adjacent Olcote Animal Sanctuary the first three Sundays in a month.
History
The Foxfield Railway was built in 1892-1893 to provide a link to the North Staffordshire Railway for the Foxfield Colliery. The railway was built by local labour provided by North Staffordshire Railway employees at weekends and supervised by the North Staffordshire Railway foreman plate layer Noah Stanier, using second hand material, again obtained from the North Staffordshire Railway.[1]
Preservation
When the colliery closed in August 1965,[2] local volunteers formed the Foxfield Light Railway Society to preserve the line. At first, passengers were taken in converted trucks up the formidable 1:19 to 1:26 gradient out of the colliery site at Dilhorne, accompanied by a tank engine.
Eventually, new coaches were purchased and a station was built at Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, half a mile from Blythe Bridge station. The service runs for 2+1⁄4 miles (3.6 km) from there to the top of Foxfield Bank. The last half mile into the colliery is currently being relaid to suitable standards for passenger trains to be re-introduced.[citation needed]
The museum is currently being renovated to tell the story of the preservation era.
Location
The original line left the Crewe to Derby Line a little west of the station. The link has been lifted, but several abandoned wagons can be seen in the old sidings from passing trains. A station and depot have been built at Caverswall Road, half a mile north of Blythe Bridge railway station along Blythe Bridge Road.
Although located in Staffordshire, the railway has been used for the filming of sequences for the BBC Television series Cranford, which is set in Cheshire. The railway featured in the two-part Christmas special that was first broadcast in December 2009. Judi Dench, who played the part of Matilda 'Matty' Jenkyns, invited several of the main characters to ride on the train in an attempt to alter their opinions about the benefits of the railway being extended into the town of Cranford.[3]
The station at Caverswall offers visitor facilities such as a Buffet serving hot and cold food and drinks and a Real Ale bar "The One Legged Shunter". Also a museum building displaying a variety of artifacts relating to local railways and locomotives currently out of service. The adjacent Olcote Animal Sanctuary has an enclosure next to the miniature railway where animals can be found the first three Sundays in a month.
The railway operates Sundays and Bank Holidays from April to October and Santa Special trains during December.
Locomotive fleet
The Foxfield Railway has the largest collection of standard gauge steam locomotives in Staffordshire, most of which are of industrial origins. Also a reasonable sized collection of industrial diesels and a recently arrived (August 2020) class 142 Pacer no 142055 in working order.
Built in 1926. Overhaul commenced following a change in ownership to Fred Dibnah's son in June 2020, and was completed in July 2022. Boiler ticket expires 2032.
Built in 1950 to the famous 'Austerity' design of which 485 examples constructed between 1943 and 1964. Worked all its commercial life in the Lancashire coalfield before coming to Foxfield in very poor condition on 26/03/83. Overhauled and entered service on 19/04/86 and constant performer in traffic apart from two further overhauls from 1994–96 and 2006-2010. Last in steam on 31 December 2020. New saddletank delivered to site in April 2021 and new smokebox / door in course of installation in May 2021. All 181 boiler tubes and all 130 off rigid and flexible roof stays removed November / December 2021. Boiler lifted from frames in April 2022. Much copper side stay replacement completed November 2022 with nearly all rigid crown stays installed as at December 2023. Frames lifted off the wheels in early February 2023 and should be lowered back in early 2024. Hoped for return to traffic in 2025.
Built in 1923. The only surviving example of an inside cylindered 0-6-0 Peckett. Acquired from the National Coal Mining Museum in July 2015. Dismantled for restoration.
Built at Stoke works in 1923. On static display in the museum building. Transferred from the National Railway Museum to Foxfield and arrived at the railway on 21 April 2016.
Built in 1901. Returned to steam in September 2010 after major restoration. 2010 winner of the Heritage Railway Association John Coiley award for Locomotive restoration. Boiler ticket expired in 2020.
In process of being returned to working order. Bodywork repaint in BR warning yellow as per Central Electricity Generating Board livery completed 5 November 2016. Lettering saying CEGB, Meaford Power Station and varnishing to take place and the frames will be blacked with red wheels. New engine mounts have been fitted and the engine run up a number of times (latest February 2021) and in order.
Restoration started in 2015, which mainly focused on cosmetics, and the prevention of further corrosion to the locomotive. Mechanical work is now underway.
Undergoing long term overhaul which began in February 2017. Engine lifted out in November 2017 along with most of the cab. Gradual reassembly underway.
Non-operational due to a lack of batteries or overhead lines on site.
Passenger carriages
The railway has a collection of carriages from a wide range of years which are used to take passengers up and down the line.
Mk 1 Corridor Second (SK) No. M25607. (Operational, overhauled in 2019).
Mk 1 Brake Corridor Second (BSK) No. M34672, named 'Eric Swift' after a member who left a legacy which financed the overhaul of the railway's coaching stock. Operational following a major in-house rebuild, including conversion of the luggage area to a on train bar in 2021
Mk 1 Tourist Second Open (TSO) No. M4762. Operational following overhaul and completion of accessible conversion at the Llangollen Railway in 2020
Mk 1 Tourist Second Open (TSO) No. M4243 undergoing major rebuild following discovery of major corrosion, Privately Owned.
Mk 1 Corridor Second (SK) No. M25225. Stored at Dilhorne Park awaiting major restoration. Privately Owned.
LMS Theatrical Scenery Van No. 37519 (converted to the passenger carrying Bass Belle Observation Bar Car). On static display but eventually planned to be overhauled to working order.
LMS third class gangwayed vestibule coach No. 27249. (Stored awaiting overhaul).
LTSR PMV No. 1 (rebuilt by MR in 1920 from Composite vehicle). (Stored out of use. Previously used as Kitchen vehicle).
The NSR Rolling Stock Restoration Trust
In 2008 a small group was formed with the aim of restoring the two surviving North Staffordshire Railway 4-wheeled coaches, with a long term aim of recreating a proto-typical Victorian train that would have once operated in the local area. The Knotty Trust, as it has become known as, was registered as a charity in 2009 and in 2012 received a £30,000 grant for the completion of the first vehicle (no. 127).[7] This was completed at Stanegate Restorations, who have become a major supporter in the recreation of a Knotty Train.[8] Since then the collection has grown to include other former 'Knotty Coaches' that have been discovered, as well as other historically important vehicles.
Number
Type
Status
Notes
228
First (FY)
Undergoing Restoration
Owned by the NSRC, based at the Churnet Valley Railway. Given to the KCT on a 99-year loan in 2014, and so an appeal has now been launched for this vehicle's restoration.[9] This is the next vehicle which is to be restored by the trust and also the final one to be restored as part of the Knotty Heritage train.
61
Third (TY)
Operational
The second vehicle to have to have been restored by the KCT. Entered service in August 2014, after a visit to the CVR to launch the "Project 28 Appeal".
127
Third (TY)
Operational
The first vehicle to have to have been restored by the KCT. Entered service in August 2014, alongside 61.
23
Brake Third (TB)
Operational
One of three newly discovered vehicles found in woodland alongside Rudyard Lake, though no number has presently been identified. These vehicles were recovered in October 2014, with the Brake Third being sent away immediately for restoration to begin at Stanegate Restorations.[10] The coach was renovated as part of the "ABC" (Accessible Brake Coach) project[11] and was launched into traffic in May 2019.
First (FY)
Stored
One of three newly discovered vehicles found in woodland alongside Rudyard Lake, though no number has presently been identified. These vehicles were recovered in October 2014, and put into store whilst other projects take priority.[10]
First (FY)
Stored
One of three newly discovered vehicles found in woodland alongside Rudyard Lake, though no number has presently been identified and only half of this vehicle really exists following numerous years in the open. These vehicles were recovered in October 2014, and put into store whilst other projects take priority.[10]
One of three former Midland Railway vehicles donated to the KCT by Foxfield. One of only three survivors, the other two having been restored at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and National Railway Museum respectively. Luggage/First/Third class compartment carriage, no recognisable number has been found on the body to date. This vehicle is planned to be restored once a fully operation Knotty Train is operational.
One of three former Midland Railway vehicles donated to the KCT. Whilst only the body survives, the vehicle is planned to be restored once a complete Knotty Train is operational.
One of three former Midland Railway vehicles donated to the KCT. Whilst only the body survives, a former SR PMV has been designated for use as part of the vehicle's restoration. To be done once a complete Knotty Train is operational.
NSR Brake Van
Stored
The sides from an original NSR Brake Van were found being used as a barn on Kingsley Moor, including the original painted Knotty emblem. These have been recovered and are now stored at Foxfield.
4384
LMS Covered Carriage Truck (CCT)
Stored
Donated to the trust to assist with the eventual restoration of the CLZ.
731945
LMS Goods Brake Van
Stored
Frame only. To be modified for use with the ABC.
1703
SR Parcels & Miscellaneous Van (PMV)
Stored
Donated to KCT. Frames to be used for Saloon 348.
Freight wagons
The railway also has a selection of freight wagons, in order to preserve what remains of Britain's industrial history.[citation needed]
These include the ubiquitous '16 ton' mineral wagons which were associated with coal trains and the railway in the 1960s, examples of 21 ton hopper wagons also used for coal traffic and a rare ex Central Electricity Generating Board 21 ton tippler wagon that worked all its commercial life in the North Staffordshire coalfield.[citation needed]
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