Nestled away on the far edges of the Cumbrian coast lies the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Originally built to three-foot gauge to transport iron ore from the mines at Boot, passenger services commenced in 1876 and the route became England’s first narrow gauge public railway. Following its purchase by pioneering model engineer Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke, the line was reconfigured to fifteen-inch gauge in 1915. Over a hundred years later, ‘La’al Ratty’ has become a popular fixture of the local landscape with tourists and residents alike.

Having last visited the line all the way back in 2012, I thought that a return journey was long overdue. Therefore, I decided to check out the railway’s ‘2024 Gala Celebration’ from Friday 4th to Monday 6th May. Famed for its charming fleet of bespoke locomotives, many favourites would be seen in action over the bank holiday weekend, including two guest engines: 312 ‘St Egwin’ from The Valley Railway Adventure (formerly the Evesham Vale Light Railway) and ‘Mr Hallworth’ from the Perrygrove Railway. The latter has recently been completed by North Bay Engineering Services in Darlington and was only launched into traffic in March.

Heading up the home fleet would be Ratty regulars ‘River Esk’, ‘River Mite’ and ‘Northern Rock’. Krauss-built ‘Pacific’ ‘Whillan Beck’ turned heads in her distinctive Caledonian Railway blue livery. Bassett-Lowke ‘Synolda’ also came out to play from its usual base inside Ravenglass Railway Museum along with 1896-built ‘Katie’. No fewer than thirteen departures from either end of the line operated across each day, with shuttle services to Murthwaite Halt hauled by ‘Katie’ and ‘Synolda’ on Saturday and Sunday. ‘Driver For A Donation’ services also operated within station limits at Ravenglass. Including the two guests, a grand lineup of nine engines would be in traffic across the seven-mile, fifteen-inch gauge railway.

I visited on the Sunday of the event. After a long and winding drive from home, I was greeted by the splendid sight of 'Synod' about to head out on a two-coach service. Despite being one of the oldest engines, she proved to be one of the most sprightly performers. 'Katie' suffered a fault mid-morning and had to be towed back to Ravenglass by 0-4-2DM 'Perkins', but was back in service by the afternoon. The weather was damp and drizzly, but brighter skies did start to creep in towards the end of the day. Many trains looked full, although 'Katie's failure did cause up to thirty-five minutes of delays.

The full line-up consisted of:

Visiting:
Exmoor 0-4-0T 312 ‘St Egwin’ (from The Valley Railway Adventure)
NBES 0-6-0ST ‘Mr Hallworth’ (from Perrygrove Railway Adventure)

Home Fleet:
Heywood 0-4-0T ‘Katie’
Greenly 2-8-2 ‘River Esk’
Poultney 2-8-2 ‘River Mite’
Smith 2-6-2 ‘Northern Rock’
Krauss 4-6-2 ‘Whillan Beck’
Bassett-Lowke Class 30 4-4-2 ‘Synolda’
Lister 0-4-0DM ‘Cyril’*

*does not feature in this video.

I hope you all enjoy the video. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a fantastic example of showing that commercial steam can work on even the smallest of scales. Thanks to Simon and Keith for granting me lineside access in specific locations, as well as Ryan for his assistance during my go on 'River Esk'! Follow our Instagram page at   / secondvalvesteam   for exclusive behind-the-scenes updates and photographs. Feel free to comment and subscribe!