What better way to enjoy the beautiful Staffordshire countryside than from the carriages pulled by a steam engine. And to cope with increasing visitor numbers, two of the county's heritage railways are planning to expand, as Karen Inchley reports

HERITAGE railways in North Staffordshire are forging ahead with major expansion plans.

The Churnet Valley Railway (CVR) and the Foxfield at Blythe Bridge are both predicting record seasons as thousands of families choose to holiday at home because of the economic downturn.

Ambitious plans by the Churnet Valley could re-open disused railway lines in the Moorlands, which would bring in thousands more visitors every year.

The line to Cauldon Lowe could be opened to freight traffic and there is the possibility of a rail link to Stoke-on-Trent.

Publicity officer Nigel Shaw said: "It is a very exciting development. It would help put us on the map and bring in more tourists.

The CVR braced itself for an influx of visitors at the start of the season by holding a special event for 300 accommodation providers across the Moorlands and neighbouring districts.

It has paid dividends and the CVR has seen an increase in visits from families staying overnight, who have added the scenic railway to their itinerary.

Rail bosses also have another ace up their sleeves – a new attraction for youngsters, a character steam engine called Barney the Buffer Train, set to be unveiled at a children's festival in August.

Another attraction this year, will be a former signalman's cottage, which is being moved brick-by-brick from Stone to Cheddleton.

The CVR, famed for its themed events, last year attracted 75,000 visitors, with a Dalek invasion over the Bank Holiday weekend drew crowds of 2,000 people.

Mr Shaw added: "The season is going very well. So far we have not seen any sign of the credit crunch. The Dalek weekend sold 2,015 tickets, almost the equivalent of the 1940s weekend.

"We were delighted and the weather was fantastic."

Commercial manager Margaret Mountford said: "We had a special tourism event before Easter and gave out lots of information and that has really paid off.

"That has been coupled with people staying in this country not just because of the recession, but also because of the Euro.

"People are still spending money. We are definitely holding our own and that is helped by the fact that we are going to have a barbecue summer."

Meanwhile, Foxfield is pressing ahead with plans to extend the track three quarters of a mile out of Dilhorne and open a new centre to offer visitors a mining experience.

Foxfield publicity manager Richard Barnett, a 23-year-old-student, said: "I think the new centre will offer a very interesting and exciting experience.

"We are really looking forward to it and are hoping for a grand opening next Easter.

He added: "Our figures are definitely on the up. The feedback we are getting is that people are spending at home rather than going away. As the recession is going, it is so far, so good for us."

Churnet Valley Railway

THE Churnet Valley Railway opened in July 1849 and the original 28-mile track served the farming and industrial communities.

Initially four trains ran each way daily and extra trains were laid on twice a week to take produce to market in Leek.

Freight was transported from the copper works at Oakamoor and limestone from Cauldon Lowe quarry.

The railway fell victim to the Beeching axe in 1963. The North Rode to Leek line closed in June 1964, followed by the withdrawal of all passenger services between Leek and Uttoxeter in January 1965. The Leek station closed in July 1970.

Cheddleton station was taken over in 1976 by volunteers and later became the headquarters of the CVR, which bought seven miles of line and Leekbrook junction signal box20 years later and opened the one-mile section between Cheddleton Station and Leekbrook.

Prices: Adult £9; Senior citizen £7; Children £5; Family (two adults and up to three children) £25.

What's on

Saturday, June 6: Singer Classic Car Display.

Sunday, June 7: Alf Tunstall Classic Bus Rally.

Wednesday, June 17: Summer Evening Scenic Cruise. Pie, peas and gravy. Pre-booking advisable.

Sunday, June 21: Father's Day Lunch.

Sunday, June 27: The Moorlander Sunday Lunch Train.

Saturday, July 4, Sunday, July 5 : Summer Fayre at Kingsley and Froghall Station.

Friday, July 10: The Hungry Traveller Steak Night.

Sunday, July 12: The Ninth National Railway Velocipede Rally at Kingsley and Froghall Station.

Wednesday, July 15: Jazz night.

Foxfield Railway

WHEN the first passenger train chugged its way along the Foxfield Railway in 1967 people lined the route hoping to catch a ride.

The engine was the Henry Cort, built in 1903, and in those days the only locomotive owned by the preservation society. Passengers travelled in converted coal trucks and it was standing room only. In the 42 years since, the society has added around 40 diesel and electric engines, eight in working order, and three steam locomotives.

Some of the stock has been bought with the help of grants, but in many cases members have spent thousands of pounds and countless hours restoring engines and carriages to their original condition.

Foxfield is one of the UK's earliest heritage railways and was originally built in the 1890s.

Trains operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays from Easter until Christmas.

Foxfield is situated between Blythe Bridge and Caverswall.

Prices: Adult: £7.50; Senior citizens £5.50; Children £3; Family ticket (two adults and two children) £19.

What's on:

June 14: The Morris Minor Club will be displaying a wide variety of cars.

June 20: Real Ale Trains evening, £10 per head. First pint free if booked 10 days in advance.

July 4 and 5: 1940s Foxfield at War Weekend. Take a trip back in time, re-enactments and pyrotechnics throughout the weekend .

July 18 and 19: Summer steam gala,

July 25: Real Ale Trains.

August 29 -31: Victorian Fete. Two operational Victorian engines will be in service.

September 6: MG car rally.

September 12 and 13: Eastern European Car Rally.