Craig's Model Trains and Railway Adventures: Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway Report and Photo's

Wednesday 20th July:

After another Full English and another 9.00am start from our campsite, we headed off towards Dalegarth Station (via Ambleside) which is found in Eskdale Valley and one end of the Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway in the hope of catching the first service of the day, the 10.30am departure to Ravensglass.

The journey had started well as we were making good time, however at a small junction I decided one of two roads would be the correct one as it looked wider than the other, suggesting this was the A road I needed to be on. It wasn't until we arrived in Coniston that I had realised I'd taken the wrong route.....Bugger! 20 mins behind schedule I found the right road and headed for the station. The road would infact pass over two of the most treacherous inclines in Britain.

First we tackled the Wrynose Pass which has a 1 in 4 gradient both ascending and descending and then as soon as we'd reached the bottom it was time to take on the steepest road in Britain, the infamous Hardknott Pass, a 1 in 3 gradient going up and going down! We were following a Volvo XC70 and a Land Rover in my Peugoet 206, but we managed to keep pace although never getting out of 1st or 2nd gear. Gemma was passed herself as we twisted and turned up and down both sides of the motoring behemoth, I was loving testing out my driving skills! After the decline,weI realised we wouldn't make it in time to reach Dalegarth Station for the 10.30am train, so decided to head for Ravensglass Station and travel from there instead.

As we were driving, the road criss-crossed the line via a few bridges, even catching a glimpse of the 10.30am from Dalegarth. We arrived in Ravensglass at 11.00am, parked up and headed for the engine shed where we were greeted by 'River Esk' tender shy alongside one of the diesel loco's used here.

Steeped in History

River Esk, without Tender

The un-named Diesel loco with it's engine on show.

We bought our tickets which were only £6.00 each as we had 50% discounts after travelling on the Ullswater Steamer Cruise Boats two days previously, the same company owns both, and headed for the Platform. Just as we got onto the platform, in came the 10.30 departure from Dalegarth. The Diesel that hauled in the service was a Class 66 look-a-like named 'Douglas Ferreira' after the longest serving General Manager of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway who sadly passed away in 2003.

Douglas Ferreira - Winner of Miniature Class 66 Lookalike Comp!

Our coaches had now arrived into the platform. They were actually walked into the station by a few staff members which I'm sure I've never seen done at any station in the UK! Steam Loco 'Northern Rock' was then reversed in and coupled up ready to haul the 11.30am departure towards Eskdale.

Although I'd hoped to have travelled with my favourite loco 'River Mite' another Steam Loco, I was just happy to be here after a 15 year absence. This lovely looking locomotive shares the name of my former employers and local bank Northern Rock too, which fitted in nicely with the previous day's trip with a Loco named 'Princess', another co-incidence perhaps?

A bank in which I used to work! Not very popular nowadays!

We chose to sit in the last compartment of the train and I was impressed with the coaches. They are well built and surprisingly warmer than you'd think. The seats are a bit hard but I didn't care, I was back and ready for departure.

A view from the back

Mrs Pearson looking as bored as she told
me she was! Oh well!

The 40 minute journey to Dalegarth takes you through some beautiful landscapes. The railway has a title of one of the most scenic in Britain. I was impressed at the speed in which we travelled too, 'Northern Rock' a mighty little loco hauling 8 coaches full of passengers. I managed to catch our train cutting through the forests on video too. Catch them on my YouTube channel here.

'Northern Rock' does a grand job of hauling 8 coaches full to
capacity

When we reached Dalegarth I headed down to the front of the train to catch 'Northern Rock' on the turntable at the end of the platform.

Time for a switch round

Letting off Steam as Northern Rock loads herself onto the
Turntable at the end of Dalegarth Station

My spent around 30 mins inside the impressive station building which has had a massive refurbishment since my last visit. After a quick drink and sandwich we looked around the gift shop before heading back outside. By this time the missus was really bored but didn't complain too much, bless her. So to keep us busy before the journey back to Ravensglass, we took some pictures of us next to 'Northern Rock' before taking our seats on board, choosing to sit behind the Loco for the journey back.

So tempting to have a go!

Me with Northern Rock

Ready to head back to Ravensglass

After 40 minutes travel we were back at Ravensglass Station where we had a look at the on-site museum before heading back to the car anf for home via treacherous mountain passes. After 15 or so years, the Railway still excited me as much as it had the first time around. It was great to be back at my favourite narrow gauge railway, which is a true testament to the people who have kept it in working order for decades and I'm sure for many more to come.

It's a place I'd definately share with any children I may have in the future, although their future Mum definately had her fill of it for life! Thanks for coming darling! xxxxxxxxxxx

So what happened to my favourite Loco, 'River Mite' I hear you ask? Well I did managed to see it, passing her on a small section of double track for just a few seconds as seen below...