Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, known locally as "La'al Ratty", is a 7-mile, 15-inch-gauge miniature railway running through the spectacular landscape of the Lake District National Park, from Ravenglass on the Cumbrian coast (with cross-platform interchange to the Network Rail Cumbrian Coast Line) to Dalegarth for Boot at the head of Eskdale.
The line was originally built as a 3-foot-gauge industrial railway in 1875 to serve the iron mines of Eskdale, but converted to 15-inch gauge in 1915 by Bassett-Lowke and Sir Aubrey Brocklebank as a tourist line, making it one of the earliest 15-inch-gauge passenger railways in the world (along with Henry Greenly's contemporaneous designs that led to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch). The line was preserved by the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society in 1960 after the original company collapsed, and has operated continuously since.
The line is famous for its purpose-built 15-inch gauge steam locomotives, including River Esk, River Mite, and the 1923 Henry Greenly-designed engines.
History
The line opened in 1875 as a 3-foot-gauge mineral railway carrying iron ore from Eskdale to the Furness Railway connection at Ravenglass. After the iron-mining industry declined, W.J. Bassett-Lowke of the famous model engineering company purchased the line in 1915 and converted it to 15-inch gauge, pioneering work that helped establish the 15-inch passenger gauge as a viable size. The line was operated commercially until 1953 then run by various owners until the 1958 closure threat. The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1960 and reopened the line later that year, working with several local supporters to acquire the full operation in 1969.
Original line history
The 1875 line was built as a 3-foot-gauge mineral railway by the Whitehaven, Cleator & Egremont Railway interests to carry haematite iron ore from Eskdale mines to the FR connection at Ravenglass. Passenger traffic was incidental until the 1915 regauging.
Stations and infrastructure
Ravenglass has cross-platform interchange to Northern Rail's Cumbrian Coast Line, with locomotive shed, works, and museum. Dalegarth is the inland terminus near the village of Boot, with cafe and visitor centre. Several intermediate request halts serve walking routes.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Events include steam galas (sometimes with visiting 15-inch-gauge engines from other lines including Romney and Bure Valley), Santa Specials, and the Ravenglass Railway Museum displays.
Visitor information
Ravenglass is on the Cumbrian Coast Line (Northern Rail Carlisle–Barrow service) with cross-platform interchange. Through-tickets are available.