Breaking an 80-year silence! Leek Brook Triangle has once again seen a locomotive and coach make a perfect turn for the first time since 1941. Though what’s a railway triangle you may ask? Well, it’s a smart track setup that enables trains to turn around hassle-free with no turntable. Whilst turntables allow single locos / vehicles to be turned, a triangle enables a whole train to be turned in one move!
This fantastic development is all part of the Churnet Valley Railway’s proposal to extend its line and link up with the charming market town of Leek as part of the “Reconnect Leek” project.
The railway said: “We’re thrilled to be a part of reviving history, and bringing a new chapter to rail travel in the Staffordshire Moorlands.”
“None of this though would have been possible without the incredible support from all of our generous supporters, including:
“The European Agricultural Regional Development Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Bamford Charitable Trust, The Headley Trust, The Moorlands Partnership, The North Staffordshire Railway Company (1978) Limited, plus our wonderful private donors. Your contributions are making dreams of steam a reality!”
Whilst a lot of work remains, including full ballasting and tamping, an S160 was the ideal locomotive to test this track out. Watch out for further updates during the autumn on the journey to reconnect Leek.
