The Foxfield Railway Summer Steam Gala 2014

Many years ago I spent a couple of days walking the Caldon Canal from the centre of Stoke out to Leek and Cheddleton flint mill - then the head of navigation.

I can remember listening to a tribute to Kenneth Williams as I walked and hearing Wet Wet Wet's rather wet version of With a Little Help from my Friends on the jukebox in a Leek pub on the first evening. All of which dates this walk to May 1988, when I was a councillor and still working for Golden Wonder in Market Harborough.

On the second night I stayed at a farm above the canal at Cheddleton and the next morning I had to turn my mind to getting home.

It occurred to me that, though I did not have the relevant map, if I set off in the right direction I would hit the Stoke to Derby railway line at some point. And as there are plenty of intermediate stations on this line, I would probably be near one.

Sure enough, I arrived at Blythe Bridge from which I could catch a train home via Derby.

But just before I got to Blythe Bridge I came across the Foxfield Railway. I had not heard of it, but it turned out to be a preserved colliery line specialising in industrial locomotives.

Enjoy the video.