Description

Hop aboard the footplate of Great Western ‘Castle’ No.4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ and tackle the 1 in 40 gradient to Ipstones.

The Churnet Valley Railway is a 10.5-mile heritage railway that runs through the picturesque countryside of Staffordshire, featuring a 4-mile section with a 1 in 40 ruling gradient. It runs from Kingsley and Froghall to Ipstones, via Consall, Cheddleton, and Leekbrook Junction. This product allows you to hop on board the footplate and travel between Froghall and Ipstones, featuring visiting locomotive GWR No.4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’.

Celebrating the locomotive’s 100th anniversary, Great Western No.4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ visited the Churnet Valley Railway for a month-long stay. Normally based at Didcot Railway Centre, the visit presented the locomotive with its biggest challenge since returning to steam in 2022, tackling the steep 1 in 40 gradient to Ipstones. With a six-coach dining service, sit back and watch as the driver and fireman tackle the gradient, while listening to the sound of the loud Great Western bark.

What is included on this product?
Join the crew of ‘Pendennis Castle’ and travel between Froghall and Ipstones, experiencing the challenging 4-mile 1 in 40 ruling gradient. Sit back and witness as they navigate the gradients on a sunny spring day. Utilising new technology and filmed in 4K, you can observe No.4079 working hard through Staffordshire from a whole new perspective.

While watching this production, you can follow No.4079 from a series of different angles, including onboard the footplate, smokebox handrails, the front lamp bracket, and from the motion gear.Footage is also included from the lineside, showcasing No.4079 at several different viewpoints along the Churnet Valley Railway.

Viewing options when watching this product:
There are three viewing options to this product, these include:
Option 1: Sit back and watch the action from the footplate, from several different camera angles including the lineside. You’ll travel from Froghall to Ipstones. This option includes short titles informing you of key locations and the gradient profile along the route.
Option 2: Similar to the previous option, however this option doesn’t feature the lineside action, titles and gradient profile information.
Option 3: Take in the picturesque scenery as you pass through Staffordshire, this option allows you to watch from the front lamp bracket, unedited for the full trip between Froghall and Ipstones.

Product Overview:

This product features no commentary, allowing you to fully appreciate the sound of the steam locomotive working hard. Short titles are included throughout informing you of key locations and gradients. We’re currently editing this product, copies will be available to order from September 2024.

Footplate filming took place on the 11th May 2024.