A two-day extravaganza of diesel and steam power is being planned for one of the UK’s best-loved heritage railway lines.
Tickets have just gone on sale for the COVID-safe event, which will take place at Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway on July 10 and July 11.
Staged to mark to mark the 60th anniversary of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society, it will feature a range of nine steam and diesel locomotives owned by both the Preservation Society and the railway itself.
These include the beautifully restored 125-year-old Katie and River Irt, the oldest working 15-inch gauge locomotive in the world.
Stuart Ross, general manager at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, said: “The railway has captured the hearts of so many people over the years and this is a chance for families, railway enthusiasts and local history buffs alike not only to see these fantastic locomotives, but to relive the heyday of steam travel for themselves.
“After more than a year of lockdowns and disruptions to everyone’s lives, there’s no better time to escape the everyday to experience panoramic views of the Cumbrian coastline and dramatic mountain scenery on one of these magnificent locomotives.”
Also featured is the River Mite, one of the milestone achievements of the last 60 years and recently returned to use following an extensive overhaul funded by its owners at the Preservation Society.
There will also be static displays of Little Giant and the well-known Synolda, an identical sister to the first 15-inch gauge locomotive, Sans Pareil, to run on Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway more than 100 years ago.
Passengers will have the chance to buy tickets for three round trips of the scenic route between Ravenglass and Dalegarth – effectively reserving a seat which is theirs to keep for the whole day. All of the available engines will then haul the train at some point during the day.
Meanwhile, the free to enter Ravenglass Railway Museum will be a focal point for a planned model railway display.
Di Chase, from Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society, said: “Sixty years ago, the future of the railway was very uncertain, but the intervening decades have provided a much more secure future so there is a lot to celebrate.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate the work done by so many over the past sixty years to help preserve and maintain this wonderful railway, and will be very exciting after the restrictions of the past 15 months.”
