The R&ER Magazine Number 219 December 2015

The Journal of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society Published quarterly by the Editorial The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Keith Herbert Preservation Society Limited R&ER Member of the Heritage At the outset of this Editorial it is necessary to present corrections for Magazines Railway Association 216 and 217. In 217 the photo of Lady Augusta (page 21) should have been Magazine credited to the Doug Ferreira Collection, not to Sam Dixon. The Centre Spread photos of Shelagh of Eskdale and Douglas Ferreira should have been credited No 219 December 2015 to the Doug Ferreira Collection and to Christopher Glover, respectively. Also Editorial Team: Keith Herbert, Di Chase, Opinions expressed by contributors and on page 21 it was stated that Shelagh was built in 1967 – but it was 1969. In the Bill Seddon, Mark Harrington, in editorial comment do not necessarily 216 Centre Spread, the photo of Green Goddess features Captain Howey on the John Taylor reflect the collective views of the Society. footplate with not Henry Greenly, but another fireman whose identity eludes Editorial Designer: Julie Hutchinson us. With Christmas now upon us, perhaps Santa will be unkind enough to leave lumps of coal in the Editor’s stocking for making such elementary mistakes! Address for Magazine Correspondence: PRESS DEADLINE: Material for inclusion in Keith Herbert the next issue of the Magazine must As I write, the end of our hundredth anniversary year draws near. Despite the 7 Dalegarth Cottages reach the editors not later than railway’s insistence that its August Bank Holiday celebrations would not be Boot, Holmrook Thursday 14th January at noon. called a ‘gala’, every social media comment and industry press report insisted Cumbria CA19 1TF Please send material earlier if possible. that it was one! Staff and volunteers came to know it as the ‘not-a-gala gala’ – a [email protected] satirical jibe making light of our apparent crisis of identity; who or what are The R&ER Magazine is always pleased to receive correspondence, photographs and articles for possible inclusion. we, and what do we do? For the travelling public we hope what we did was Most nowadays arrive via our e-mail address, but postal contributions are just as welcome. Please write your name and address on the back of any prints, and give at least the date and location of each put on a weekend full of appeal and fun, showcasing the Ratty once more at its photograph where possible. We have scanning facilities for slides and negatives, and will endeavour to return any best. Whether it was the miserable failure of Lydia’s battery-powered air brake loaned photographic material. compressor on the way down Horsefalls on the Sunday evening, or the spirited performances of Synolda and Count Louis on their Muncaster Mill shuttles, http://www.rerps.co.uk Society website: there was plenty of entertainment on offer for the oft-overlooked enthusiast – Council Chairman: Sam Dixon, 15 Lyceum Close, Leighton, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 3YB. a very welcome change. Email: [email protected] Hon. Secretary: Mungo Stacy, 34 Mayfield Road, M16 8EU. Email: [email protected] Hon. Financial Secretary: David Lees, 31 Water Street, Ribchester, Preston, Lancashire PR3 3YJ. Email: [email protected] Hon. Membership Secretary: Phil Taylor, 12 Wholehouse Road, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1QY. Email: [email protected] (1-1299 and 2500-3999) Assistant Membership Secretary: Jim Wilcock, ‘Porthlow’, Neston Road, Ness, Neston CH64 4AZ. Email: [email protected] (1300-2499) Sales Officer: Terry Williams, 88 Bluestone Road, Moston, Manchester M40 9HY. Email: [email protected] Magazine Distributor: Cumbria Mailing Services Ltd. Penrith, CA11 9FQ. Heywood House Bookings: Mary Harding. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 01229 717080. Volunteers: Peter Mills. Email: [email protected] General Manager: Trevor Stockton, R&ER Co. Ltd. Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW. Tel: 01229 717171. Front Cover: Hauling the Muncaster Mill Centenary Shuttle back to Ravenglass, The visiting engines on show outside the Ravenglass workshop. th Synolda crosses Barrow Marsh on 30 August 2015. Photo: Ian Pilkington Photo: David Mart 2 3 These notes are being penned in Spain, where a small team has assembled to on time. Next season we have been promised six tours, with five on consecutive inspect and evaluate the second of the available Krauss Pacific Saturdays from early June – no pressure then! currently for sale (the first of three originally on offer was sold to the Killesberg As you read this news we will be into the Santa season; a similar number of Park line in , in October 2014). This engine – No.8457 – could herald a trains as in previous years are booked to run, with many loading well. very exciting future for steam on the R&ER, having been found in substantially better condition than we could have dreamt! So what is the proposition? A nearly Work progresses, albeit slowly, on the guards’ room. There will be the usual complete, German-built, 1929-vintage steam , six-coupled as per the running repairs to the stock for the maintenance team and Peter [van Zeller] Company’s requirement for any new-build or acquisition at the present time, has his wish list of stock to paint. Perkins, as of mid-October, is starting to take which had an unbelievably short working life which ended in – we think – 1932! shape and work continues on the Esk. The machine work on the rods and other components is evidently of a high In early winter we will be having a new phone system installed. Much needed, it standard, the loco improved with roller bearings throughout; the frames are will give us the luxury of a talking timetable, among myriad other features. It is original and the 1920s boiler is in ‘as new’ condition – and this is not conjecture; hoped that the New Year will see the radio kit upgraded to a digital system. This the team comprised of Mungo Stacy, Peter van Zeller, Keith Herbert, and the will include the base station, signal box and all the mobiles [on the locomotives]. railway’s insurance company boiler inspector Bob Garnett, who commented The ‘old’ system went through three generations of radio sets and saw the main that machines this old, yet this ‘new’ were simply “unheard of”. mast moved three times. Although it has taken us some time to get round to So is this now R&ER preservation’s prime target? Let’s just say that perhaps a this upgrade, I wonder how long it will be before we change again… Perhaps lump of coal for Christmas might make rather a kind gift, after all. RANDER pigeon will be the next evolution! Volunteer recruitment has been impressive in the latter part of the main season, News from Ravenglass with a number of new guards passed out [at least twelve that I can count – Ed.]; Trevor Stockton long may it continue. If you have any spare time and you would like to come and help in any aspect of volunteering please do not hesitate to get in touch. Contact details are inside the front cover. As we approach Christmas 2015 we can look back on another good season for the railway; much has been achieved within the budgets set. More importantly Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all. is the conclusion of moving back into the workshop, completing phase one of the museum and resurfacing two thirds of Ravenglass car park. The hundredth anniversary was a huge success, the railway received a large amount of publicity both in the local press, television and radio, the sun shone most of the time, and the railway ran almost faultlessly. Importantly everyone had an enjoyable time. What was very noticeable, most welcome and almost overwhelming was the contribution from the volunteers. It was possible to send personnel to all stations (including the Mill for the special centenary shuttle), cover the guarding turns (including the free train at the workshop) and still have folk to spare. A big thank you to all involved. Although we did approach our friends at the Bure Valley and Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railways, try as they might they couldn’t release locomotives to us for this season. We have been very fortunate to enjoy their support in recent years, however we have survived 2015, just, with our own fleet. The ‘three steam, one diesel’ service in the high summer was sustainable most days, with some occasions of two steam engines and two diesels. Two Perrygrove’s Soony and KLR’s Katie on the workshop yard shuttle. Statesman Rail tours stretched us, but we got everyone up and back in time and Photo: Jackie Pharaoh 4 5 Traffic News graded with appalling rail conditions. Although the locos work hard in Peter van Zeller such challenging circumstances, remarkably little goes wrong. Against this background, River Mite missed 6th-8th May with faulty cylinder River Irt, River Mite and Northern Rock were available throughout 2015 as all draincocks and 11th May from a tender air compressor issue. On 2nd July when had their boiler examinations before the running season. Hence three steam it was the only steam loco available, injector problems on its first run were locos were running on 17th May, the Spring Bank Holiday of 23rd-29th May, 17th- cured for its last run by cleaned filters, clogged by leaves from one of the water 18th, 20th-21st, 27th June, 3rd-4th July, much of the peak summer yellow service, tanks. Its steam compressor failed on 22nd July. On a happier note, it pulled the Shaun the Sheep weekend and scheduled for the last week of daily trains Harrison Christening train on 7th June, hauled eleven cars effortlessly on 16th and the Narrow Gauge Gathering. In the whole season, there were but three June and an early morning 3 Peaks by Rail Special, fully loaded on 19th June. days – 2nd July, 3rd September and 12th October – with only one steam loco in Through the peak season, the regulator repeatedly sticking saw it briefly out service (force majeure) and the other steam turn covered by a diesel. There has of use 21st-22nd August. This was conclusively solved by fitting a new slide to usually been opportunity to work on locos as required and no long stretches of the valve before a test run to Irton Road on 7th September and its departure to individual continuous steaming like the ninety-nine day benchmark of earlier the special event two days later. On its return, Mite has years. continued in service from 20th September without further issues. During this period, the rebuilt main workshops have been commissioned and Northern Rock saw more use with our newly trained driver taking it over as linked to the line once more, no mean feat for the engineering and permanent a regular machine for the summer. It had its tender air brake compressor way staff and a considerable diversion of the railway’s effort and resources to repaired between runs on 1st May, but was stopped on shed with a failed left- achieve. The locos have also had a greater mix of drivers than customary, as hand injector on 14th May. When that tender compressor broke up on 22nd new trainee Tom Whitbread had a period of familiarisation on each loco and June, it was rebuilt with parts salvaged from Perkins, and the loco had its front everyone else filled in as required. Most days ran near to time without issues, truck wheels reprofiled while it waited. After a successful trial run on 27th June, even when the sun drops below Muncaster Fell and leaves two miles of steeply it lost a compressor belt the following day. Rock had further problems on 4th July creating air against a leak, was propelled from the Mill and replaced at Miteside, but restored in time to take its next scheduled train. On 19th July there was a wedding special for Susie and [volunteer] Richard Tilsley. Rock required attention to broken springs from 28th July, but little thereafter. Twenty-five years on, the loco revisited the on 23rd September and has remained successfully in service after its return home. River Irt failed, unusually now, on 27th April, 2nd and 20th June, with leaking steam valves and later one with a stripped thread. On 29th June it had a brake air restriction at The Green which required assistance from Lady Wakefield to release the train brakes. It seemed politic to use the last few days of the low summer service to improve the starting of its steam air compressor, however this unit failed to respond to some new piston rings and hence the loco missed the first week of the high summer ‘yellow’ service.Irt had a temporary fitting tied to the running board while its steam compressor remained on the bench. This was so successful that it has now been retained and the old mounting brackets removed from the smokebox. The loco was stopped at Dalegarth on 5th September with a loose cylinder liner, later rectified.Irt covered for its colleagues going away, then rested until the last week of the daily service when all three steam locos were scheduled to allow double-heading of morning trains on the greasy rails to Irton Road. Engines great and small: Count Louis heads the Mill shuttle out of Ravenglass past River Mite. Photo: David Mart Synolda, now fitted with its air pump in a box on the tender, went to the Mill 6 7 with a trial to check the out and back timing for the centenary weekend at The two big diesels have shared the workload, often at the whim of a driver’s the end of August. It had two full-line runs for driver training on 27th July and preference. Douglas Ferreira has worked the passenger service throughout, 18th August, and then shuttled to the Mill six times a day during the centenary only was sidelined after the morning train on 8th May and missed that evening’s celebrations with Count Louis. Both locos were projected to have an intensive fish ‘n’ chip train. Unusually it failed at Miteside on 27th May. It worked the fish day of service on 7th November for the Narrow Gauge Gathering. Count Louis ‘n’ chip specials as usual on 12th June, 11th September and 9th October and an has been resident throughout, but only steamed for the centenary weekend. It evening run on 11th July for the Society AGM. It was stopped again at Miteside had a memorable evening run along the full line on 29th August with onetime with a broken fuel pump earth wire on 30th July and a throttle return spring on Fairbourne Railway partner Katie, which had its own solo run on 1st September. 20th September, but otherwise steadily puts up impressive mileages. The other visiting steam locos were Lydia and Soony from the Perrygrove Meanwhile Lady Wakefield has been on very mixed traffic duties apart from Railway. Lydia was of great interest as, dimensionally, its boiler and cylinders passenger work. It went early morning flailing from 5am on th9 -10th June and are little different from Bonnie Dundee. After a trial run, it then took an end- later from 30th September, with trains on 15th June and 29th of-afternoon train round the system for five days straight, performing in an September, dropping off new sleepers for relaying on 6th October. As Rander exemplary way. These trains loaded heavily, with nine cars full at times, and 99, its ‘Thunderbird’ missions rescued other trains on various occasions as the loco’s small grate proved entirely adequate to make steam to spare. The mentioned above. However on 7th June it refused to restart at Dalegarth at the advanced insulation and front end draughting show what a difference could be end of the day and was itself rescued by Douglas, and failed again at Dalegarth readily achieved with Dundee or to ease the boiler working of our bigger locos. with a broken gear selector cable on 31st August, which brought about the unusual double-header of Douglas and River Irt, the former being sent as the Soony is a delightful, tiny machine built in England to the scale American rescue loco on the front of an ordinary service train. three-foot narrow gauge principles espoused by the late Eric Thomsen on the Redwood Valley in California. On its one evening special run on 31st August, it Cyril escaped Ravenglass for a full-line trip for weedkilling on 30th June and steamed and performed in a remarkable manner given that its boiler was no as make weight in place of Count Louis for Synolda’s trial run on 24th July, bigger than a 7 ¼ in gauge machine. but has otherwise largely been yard shunter, other than a test run to the half- mile post with Quarryman, before retiring with terminal gearbox failure on 25th September. Meanwhile Les has been operational but only in the engineers’ workshop yard. The complexity of shunting has recently been greatly reduced by one major change in the train consists. After a decade of having a covered vehicle as a barrier coach, from late June there were opens once again at one end of the trains. This restores that great attraction of looking out behind at the vanishing track or, in the down direction, over the tender directly on to the steam loco footplate, enhancing our unique selling point. As a result all the opens have been out of the shed in fine weather, including the refurbished 3-87, which was all but completed three years ago and fitted with air brake equipment to enter service on 13th July. The Indian Summer of early September continued and ‘half and half’ sets were well filled into mid-October. Although this has reduced the general use of saloon stock, the Eskdale Belle has seen greater mileage from the popular package deal. To save shunting into the at Dalegarth, it generally runs down and back up empty while its guests enjoy hospitality. Across the fence, freight now sees less use of Direct Rail Services Class 20s, while a Class 66 and Class 57 combination was noted on with the nuclear flasks, a Class 68 with special saloon, and a ballast train topped and tailed by Class 66s. The main line passenger service saw loco-hauled trains start on 18th May Lydia, from the , climbs away from Muncaster Mill with its with DRS Class 37s at the front and rear. The mighty roar of the English Electric one daily tour of duty on 30th August. Photo: Ian Pilkington 8 9 engines accelerating from station stops is the sound of 2015. From the week Permanent Way Notes th of 13 July, trial running started with the newly restored Driving Brake Second David Moseley Open coaches to allow push-pull working on one trainset from 27th July and both sets from 17th August. There has been exceptional reversion to two locos and emergency substitution by Northern Rail Class 142 units. The first of the sleepers for this winter’s relaying projects arrived in early September. Initially unloaded on the ground at Irton Road, they were loaded by These loco-hauled trains attracted many visiting enthusiasts through the hand on to rail wagons by a gang in late September and off-loaded to site within summer, although there have been local issues of availability, timekeeping a few days, ready for the second delivery in early October. and access to low platforms for their users to contend with, quite apart from a travelling public quite unused to opening – and closing – a train door by hand! As mentioned in the notes in the last Magazine we have, this winter, reverted However the rolling stock shortages they were introduced to address have seen to wood as we had been offered a supply of good quality sleepers at a very considerable overcrowding elsewhere in Cumbria, with a peak time departure reasonable price. These have been drilled and fitted with plates prior from Lancaster reduced to a single car. In comparison four coaches with seats to delivery. We can confirm however they are heavier than previous sleepers aligned to windows are quite luxurious. and will require care in handling. As one of the regular track gang noted, they are unlikely to blow away! [It might be interesting to note that the Ffestiniog th Main line steam returned once more with 45699 Galatea southbound on 30 Railway is also reverting to wooden sleepers this winter, reportedly on cost th May, whistled through by River Irt in the time-honoured manner. On 16 grounds – Eds.] September it ran through north but a promised visit by Earl of Mount Edgecumbe three days later was dieselised. The 3 Peaks by Rail fundraising special on 19th We are looking at all options for sleepers for winter 2016/17. June was handled by DRS 57305 Northern Princess and 57312 Solway Princess. Also included in the second delivery of sleepers were new rails for replacing th These also handled the Northern Belle on 27 June when passengers were some side cut rails at Spout House. At the time of writing these notes these new th visiting Muncaster Castle. On 11 July DRS 37s hauled the Retro Cumbrian Coast rails were being bent to the correct radius prior to delivery to the relaying site. Explorer northbound past from Chesterfield, while West Coast Railways 57s Like the new rails last year these are now in forty-foot lengths, rather than thirty- brought the Lakeland Coast Statesman to Ravenglass from Cleethorpes on the foot, so extra people are needed for handling them. same day, and from Hereford on 25th July. Both trains brought large numbers to the railway, while the latter required adding extra R&ER trains to the already November Track Week was scheduled to be on two sites – Spout House curve intensive peak holiday ‘yellow’ service – yet it ran like the proverbial clockwork and Beckfoot platform. Although these are relatively short sections (by our and a great day was had by all. standards!) they do also involve significant vegetation clearance and some drainage works. January Track Week will run from Saturday 23rd January 2016 through to Sunday 31st January and is likely to concentrate on the section heading west from Milepost 3 along with relevelling towards Rock Point. We will however, prior to Track Week, be working on the track from Monday 4th January with our first task relaying just outside Ravenglass. We would be very pleased to see anyone who can come at any time of course. Prior to September the small band of regulars has been kept busy on routine maintenance involving, amongst other tasks, putting in additional screws and clips (seemingly a never-ending task) realigning in various locations, including around Milepost 3¾, and repacking around Murthwaite weighbridge and at the top of Mill Bank. We also found time to realign and relevel platform 2 at Ravenglass in time for the Having failed on arrival at Dalegarth, Lady Wakefield is towed back to hundredth anniversary celebrations over the August Bank Holiday weekend (in the Ravenglass, with train, by Douglas Ferreira, seen here approaching Black writer’s opinion one of the best weekends we have ever had on this railway) when Bridge, near Muncaster Mill, on 31st August. Photo: Chris Kennedy the platform was used for passenger trains for the first occasion in a long time. 10 11 Rails were cut across at the engineers’ workshop to enable a weighing machine The Rebuilt Workshop to be installed. For some reason the rails were very difficult to drill for Di Chase holes.

The principal activity has centred on keeping the lineside growth in check. In the 1980s, the old main line was converted into the engineers’ Having had several colder than average months when there was little growth, workshop. Since the fire there, on 28th March 2013, the Ratty engineers have the arrival of warm weather caused the undergrowth to suddenly remember to had no base in Ravenglass (other than the very limited facilities in Martin’s grow. Thanks to everyone who came and helped, using up to three strimmers workshop, at the end of platform 1) and had to use the workshop at Numech and the Society-funded flail mower at any one time – we have never managed in Workington. However, the fire-damaged building has been rebuilt and to completely clear the line from fence to fence for such a distance before. Each significantly expanded, new equipment fitted, and the workshop is now year we cut back makes it easier the following year. officially open – and very impressive it is, being almost cathedral-like with its Fencing has also received attention. Following on from the complete renewal high roof and feeling of spaciousness! of the fencing on the north side of the line at Hollin How earlier in the year the The old workshop was very cramped so, in order for the new facility to meet fence on the opposite side of the line decided it needed replacing. This was current Health and Safety legislation (e.g. minimum working distances), the being completed in early October. space had to be increased. Initially the plan was ‘simply’(!) to expand, length- We hope to get several other lengths tackled including the fence at Fisherground wise, thirty feet towards Barrow. However it was decided to expand width-wise loop. Like the track, there are always areas of fencing that need attention. also, towards the main line, thus include the area between the outer wall and the main line fence (where a singe fifteen-inch gauge track provided siding It is a thought worth holding that whilst some areas of the railway have noticed accommodation). a fall off of volunteers the track gang remains healthy thanks to an influx of new people who have fitted in with the regulars – we certainly couldn’t do From the outside, the wall facing the car park looks much the same as it always did all the work without the valued support of these people. Having said that we (the extension being faced with ‘Murthwaite dust’, matching several of the other would love to welcome any additional people who can come and lend a hand Ratty buildings), with half-moon windows, although these have been lengthened – please contact either the writer or any member of staff if you would like any downwards. information. The wall facing the main line is a new build, with arched lintels (to match the half-moon windows on the car park side) above large new rectangular windows (high up in the wall) that let a huge amount of View from the top: the new workshop internal layout, with sunlight the overhead crane (yellow). The unserviceable Shelagh is on River Irt rounds Murthwaite Bottom Corner with a down train on 28th August, into the the left and the German-built open coach, here for the Bank the Foreman at the controls. Photo: Derek Walmsley workshop. At Holiday, in the centre road. Photo: Di Chase 12 13 each end of the building Except the Student lathe (which is for work on small items that can be lifted there are roller-shutter manually), all the equipment is serviced by a 12½ ton overhead crane, which doors; the ones on the runs practically the full length and width of the workshop; in fact, some of the Barrow, or southern, crane’s girders form an integral part of the structure of the building. end, being practically The layout involved a lot of design work by both Mike Meredith [Project the full width of the Manager for Lake District Estates] and Steve Farish [Ratty’s Chief Engineer]; building, enabling access Mike found the 12½ ton crane, while Steve sourced all the equipment, which by three parallel tracks – required numerous visits to machine tool suppliers in order to get the desired the middle one running result – a mixed set of equipment needed specifically to maintain and build through the full length locos. The layout of the equipment within the building also required planning of the building, allowing in order to give a good working distance (the legal minimum is one metre), rail access to the museum and also to optimise the space available, while ensuring access by the overhead compound, and one on crane. Mike and Steve deserve a lot of credit for the arrangement. either side serving the The almighty Dean Smith & Grace lathe. inspection pits located All the equipment, which is now fixed to the floor, has seen considerable use since Photo: Di Chase just inside the building. installation. With five engineers, plus an increasing number of volunteers (which is excellent news), it is possible for a lot more jobs to be done at the same time. Inside, the building feels huge (certainly in comparison to the old workshop!), There is also increased capacity and flexibility; for example, the Dean Smith and modern, spacious, light and airy. As in the old workshop there is a mezzanine floor Grace lathe (the ‘Rolls Royce’ of lathes, evidently!), has been used for cylinders, (at the Whitehaven, or northern, end), which houses the office, a messroom and wheels and axles from the Ratty locos (although it is big enough to cope with toilet. Also at this north end, there is a store for tools and parts, plus the hopper for wheels from main line locos), and is being used to make new parts for River Esk. the biomass heating system, which is housed outside in the boiler house. Three fans (located inside in the roof-space) blow downwards, to circulate the warm air This new workshop marks a new beginning for the Ratty’s engineers; in fact, throughout the workshop. The floor is concrete covered in red floor paint. only Graeme King has worked in both the old and new workshop (Steve started as Chief All the equipment has been purchased since the fire – either brand new or Engineer after second-hand; there is no equipment from the original building, because the fire). Let us everything was too badly damaged. Brand new equipment includes: hope that the • a pillar drill; new equipment • a metal inert gas (MIG) welder; enables them • a plasma cutter (for cutting large sheets of metal easier and quicker); to maintain the • a band saw. current fleet, Second-hand equipment includes: refurbish old • a treadle guillotine; engines, and • sheet metal rolls; to build – or • a radial arm drill; re-build – new • a tilting head milling machine; locos and • a Russian-built Stanko universal milling machine; carriages. So, • a Mastiff lathe; to paraphrase • a Student lathe; a well-known • a Triumph 200 lathe; saying, “Good • a Dean Smith and Grace Ltd lathe, which alone weighs 7½ tons! Luck to the new • a box and pan folder; building, and Looking towards the mezzanine, with a rare glimpse of • a 50 ton press. to all who work Perkins in a state of undress, its overhaul still underway. therein”! Photo: Di Chase 14 15 KLR Gala: Made in Yorkshire of a journey up the line Phil Brown for me was the tunnel which provided an excellent acoustic to hear River Mite made the journey to the Kirklees Light Railway (KLR) for their end the engine working and a th th of season gala over the weekend of 12 and 13 September. The KLR galas are chance to try out the new themed, this year’s theme being ‘Made in Yorkshire’. As her current regular LED headlamp provided driver I had the pleasure of being invited along with the locomotive to what by the Ratty engineers. turned out to be an unforgettable long weekend. On Friday the two visiting This was the first time a large Ratty steam engine had performed at the KLR engines provided a basic On shed at the Kirklees Light Railway with (Synolda and Lady Wakefield have visited previously) and this was reflected service for early arrivals resident loco Owl. Photo: Rebecca Bell in the level of interest from photographers and staff compared to her visiting and to give both drivers stablemate Doctor Syn from New Romney. a chance to get used to the line before the curtain raised on the main event Starting on Thursday I took Mite out for a gauging run with Chris Rogers as on Saturday. Mite performed well over the weekend and was chosen for the pilotman; trespassing is a problem and the after hours test run caught some General Manager’s evening special on Saturday, an opportunity for the GM dog-walkers out. After a lecture on railway safety we left them behind and the Stuart Ross and event organiser Stephen Ashton to cease co-ordinating a major run was a success – Mite fits! special event and enjoy driving a train. Some points are extremely tight, including the turnout leading to the coaling The traditional finale to any KLR gala is a final run up the line from Clayton West stage, a problem overcome during the weekend by a constant supply of to Shelley with all engines available. Aptly named ‘Shelley or Bust’, this is an epic wheelbarrows filled with (rather smoky) Russian coal enthusiastically wheeled train and full use is made of the acoustic inside the tunnel to test all the whistles. over by the ever-friendly band of volunteers that run the railway. The highlight In conclusion I am grateful to everyone I worked with over the weekend for making it a particularly enjoyable visit and thank the KLR for their hospitality and friendliness.

Doctor Syn and River Mite back on to a train at Clayton West. The Shelley or Bust train, comprising six carriages and all six steam locos, Photo: Ian Pilkington arrives at Shelley. Photo: Nicola Wilcock 16 17 BVR Gala: Steam in Miniature cab. The run in the afternoon Peter Mills went well. The carriages are a lot heavier than ours when empty and it felt like a heavy train here The chance to go with your engine to another railway doesn’t happen very on the R&ER, so this would be often these days and when I heard that had been invited to the Northern Rock a consideration on the Saturday Bure Valley Railway in September, I was quite looking forward to it. Driving when there would be passengers on the R&ER is one of life’s great pleasures with amazing scenery in all seasons on board. throughout the year. To be invited to another railway is something special too; in a sense, you are an ambassador promoting the railway. So PR is an important As at all galas, there is heightened part of the weekend, talking to visitors and answering their questions on all activity with final preparations subjects about the engine. The other aspect that I was looking forward to was being made before the big day. the driving itself. The Bure Valley is a longer line at nine miles and the gradients The Rock was rostered for two Rock passes through Buxton. runs on Saturday and two runs aren’t the same, but are longer and they run at different speeds. So it throws up Photo: Gerry Balding a different challenge for me, the driver; a chance to practise the art of driving in on Sunday. Both had ample a different setting and learn from the experience. layovers at each end so we could turn, water and interact with I arrived in Norfolk on Thursday evening [having jetted in from the USA!]; it was passengers. As you are a visiting too late to report in, I’d have to wait until Friday morning to do that. Once I had locomotive, people are keen introduced myself on Friday morning, the next task was to prepare Northern Rock to find out where you are from for a test run with some empty carriages on Friday. This serves two purposes: and about the locomotive, so it firstly, to ensure that the engine is fit to run and there were no issues after the move plays an important part of the from Ravenglass; secondly, to give the driver a chance to experience the railway weekend. and its gradients and route. The engine and tender were already connected and there was water in the boiler, all I needed to do was bring it round and clean I arrived early on Saturday it as normal. This task was made easy by contributions from Drivers Herbert morning and was joined by my & Brown who prepared the kit box for the locomotive, ensuring everything colleague Will Sands who was I needed was on holiday in the area, who with me. Our also helped me enormously by We meet again: Ratty favourite Wroxham volunteer assisting in getting the engine Broad arrives at Wroxham while Northern engineer David ready. Rock waits to take over the train. Gray and the Photo: Gerry Balding Our first train of the day was at engineers had 10am and we were ready to go on to the train just after 09.30. In case you don’t done a sterling know the Bure Valley radio system, their version of Rander boards is roughly job getting based on our system. So there were similarities to the look of the paperwork. the engine The big difference is that there are no signals, so every movement is through the mechanically radio, including basic movements on and off turntables, engine sheds, etc. that ready before I am not used to hearing. departure from Ravenglass. By The next two days went well with lots of interest in the R&ER and Northern early afternoon, Rock. The line presented its challenges with loaded trains and I learnt a lot we were ready from the experience of driving on the Bure Valley Railway. Using different coal and I set off and firing in a different way from what we are used to here all added different with a pilot challenges to meet. Overall, Northern Rock performed well and I enjoyed a Northern Rock enters the station complex at Aylsham. alongside in the great weekend in sunny Norfolk countryside meeting some old friends and Photo: Gerry Balding making some new ones. 18 19 HLF Grants Museum Extension interactive exhibits. Several people have already expressed interest in these Peter van Zeller new opportunities, and you are invited to get in touch via the railway address (email [email protected]) or join a project based in the main workshops and the paint shop. Work will begin this spring, but the activity The new museum has received a confirmed grant of £488,700 from the Heritage programme will continue to develop up to spring 2018 and will endure beyond. Lottery Fund (HLF) for its renovation, extension and volunteer and events programme. The project aims to restore and extend the existing museum at Company Chairman Peter Hensman says: “This is magnificent support from the Ravenglass station, so that it can make a significant contribution to tourism, Heritage Lottery Fund. We shall now be able, with additional assistance from education and the community in the Western Lake District. the Preservation Society, to complete our development project, preserving the heritage of this much-loved railway and opening up new opportunities for The new extension is currently anticipated to be out of the visitors, volunteers and the local community.” construction phase by next June. Once contractors have handed over there will be a concerted effort to fit out displays and exhibits so the railway museum can With thanks to Rachel Bell, Group Marketing Manager, for forwarding the be enjoyed by visitors next high summer season. To give a heritage experience details of the Heritage Lottery Fund press release – Ed. before that, there are projected to be temporary exhibitions about the railway including a celebration of the work of Sir Arthur Heywood in the centenary year of his death in April 1916. An Update on Katie There will be lots of interesting new opportunities for volunteer involvement Bob Tebb with the railway museum, with the restoration of exhibits to go on display, work with the new archives of photos and documents, and activities engaging with visitors including live interpretation, demonstrating with models and historic I visited Station locos Katie and Synolda, ICL No.1 and Quarryman. As this news reaches you, Road Steam, by a Project and Activities Manager will have been appointed (to start in the New arrangement, at the Year) with HLF grant support, to coordinate this work with Peter van Zeller and end of September, Bob Tebb. to view progress on Katie. Work in the Although work main is continuing within the archive nicely. Amongst the room won’t things achieved are be accessible the bolting down until the whole of the boiler, the building is completing and handed over, connecting of most restoration work fittings below the will be starting footplate and the soon on rolling finishing of the stock, such as the smokebox. The cab historic granite is virtually complete wagons and and new nameplates vintage coaches, and worksplates turning River are ready. The Esk’s old boiler number of original Katie looks another step closer. Photo: Bob Tebb and other parts components has into a cutaway now increased by fifty per cent thanks to the loan of a genuineKatie whistle! Inside the new museum. Photo: Di Chase steam loco display, and 20 21

Centre Spread Commentary From the Secretary’s Desk Keith Herbert Mungo Stacy

The modern R&ER owes much to its industrial past; we have seen photos of River September Council meeting Irt, born of the pioneering tank locomotive Muriel, diesels and steam engines The September Council meeting was held at Kirklees, to coincide both made from the amalgam of other locos, and the preservation movement with the Kirklees Light Railway Gala, on 12th September. Council which secured the line’s future, bringing with it a host of engines both new members enjoyed riding behind our own River Mite and the and old. In the mid-1970s Northern Rock was under construction in the Ratty’s large variety of other visiting and KLR engines. Highlights of own workshops, the first of several locos to be built by the Company. Following the weekend include storming through the tunnel to the glow this were, among others, Northern Rock II (in 1989) and Cumbria (1992), for from the firebox and the traditional last train featuring every the Japanese market – engines seldom heard about today. The central photo steam loco that could move. here of Northern Rock was taken by John Taylor in spring 2015. It is flanked by archive shots of Rock II (left) and Cumbria. The two archive photographs The Council meeting itself was one of the shortest of recent beneath show the two near-identical 2-6-2s together at Ravenglass and again times, lasting a mere 147 minutes. This was not due to a change in chairman – at Irton Road; note the InterCity-liveried carriage of the railcar set. Another of Mr Dixon was re-elected as chairman for 2015-16. Rather, several of the major the home-built locos not yet seen in this feature is Lady Wakefield, top centre, themes being addressed by Council had not particularly developed over the produced in 1980 and used for a spell by the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch summer. Railway as a forerunner to their own diesel locomotives (as was Shelagh before it). This photo pre-dates the recent overhaul of Lady Wakefield and was taken Railway museum by John Mitcheson. There has been good news with confirmation that the Heritage Lottery Fund Other developments in the present era include the need to hire in locomotives will grant £488,000 for Phase 2 of the museum project. The land transfer to help out in our hour of need – Wroxham Broad, Samson and Hercules have with Network Rail is also starting to make progress. As noted previously, the all made their mark in recent times, but it was Black Prince of the RHDR which made Ravenglass its home during the 1982 and 1990 seasons. Here, top right, in a Bob Tebb picture, it is seen in Ravenglass shed yard during 1990. Finally, top left, a photograph, by David Mart, of Synolda, as we come full circle in this feature: one hundred years of development, starting with industrial tank engines and scale model pleasure line locos, through quarrying, auction, preservation, new-build, self-build and, here in 2015, still the scale 4-4-2 has its place, commemorating and celebrating the La’al Ratty’s beginnings a century earlier when its twin Sans Pareil re-opened the Eskdale line on short trains to Muncaster Mill. What else will we look back on one hundred years from now?

Situations Vacant The R&ER is seeking to appoint an operational assistant for the 2016 season from April until October. The role will include guarding, station duties and cleaning, all as required. Please contact Trevor Stockton, General Manager, at the Railway using the contact details given on page 2 of this issue.

River Mite arriving at Skelmanthorpe on the KLR. Photo: Sam Dixon 24 25 Preservation Society Trust will make a total grant of £100,000 towards the Accommodation museum project, and this was vital in mobilising the larger grant from the There were 240 bed-nights in Heywood House in the last quarter with income Heritage Lottery Fund. exceeding £1,500. Heywood was nearly full over the August Bank Holiday. Members are reminded to book in with the warden, Mary Harding, using the Centenary celebrations contact details on page 2 of this magazine. The General Manager, Trevor Stockton, has written to the Preservation Society Some running repairs are required. These include works to the central heating expressing a wholehearted thank you for the support that the railway received boiler flue due to a change in regulations (it remains safely operable in the from the volunteers over the four days of the hundredth birthday celebration. meantime) and repairs to the sea-facing elevation. Light bulbs have been He noted that he was overwhelmed by the response to the request for help and replaced in the bathroom. that being able to staff all the stations, cover all the guarding turns as well as For members wishing to stay in Bed and Breakfast accommodation, a reminder assist in so many other aspects of the weekend was a fantastic testimony to the that the Bay Horse on Ravenglass Main Street offers a 10% discount for working strong working relationship that exists between the Society and Company. The volunteers. full text of the letter is available on the Society website: www.rerps.co.uk Many volunteers, and no doubt visitors too, noted the air of excitement and Sales enthusiasm about the railway, including the determination for every visiting The Sales Officer and his assistants manned a sales stand over August Bank engine to make it to Dalegarth. This is certainly something to build on and help Holiday and achieved sales of over £450. the railway to grow for future generations. Festive food Volunteering The volunteers’ and staff Christmas Dinner will be held this year at the Victoria As ever, the railway is seeking new volunteers. Over the winter there are Hotel, Drigg on Saturday 12th December. opportunities for track work. The railway also needs a supply of guards since services only cease for short periods either side of Christmas and the Santa Providence trains. For further details please contact our Volunteer Liaison Officer, Peter Mills, now a local celebrity following his appearance on the local BBC news Next year will be the talking about volunteering. fiftieth anniversary of the delivery of River The leaflets about the Preservation Society have been updated and reprinted. Mite, in December Likewise, posters promoting volunteering have been produced and displayed 1966. The owner at the stations. of the Providence We are also considering a more active approach to target local community traction engine groups – the Secretary would like to hear from anyone interested in giving talks which delivered about the railway and volunteering to local groups. it has approached the Society, noting Volunteer drivers that the engine has recently been Volunteers can train and work on the railway as three categories of driver: shunter, overhauled and diesel driver and steam driver. suggesting a re- For the 2016 season, there will be an opportunity for one volunteer to train as diesel enactment of Mite’s driver and one volunteer to train as shunter. As has happened previously, a formal original journey to application process will be run. Application forms are available from the Secretary. Ravenglass behind A diverse collection of locos on shed at Ravenglass over The deadline for applications is Monday 25th January 2016. The application pack the traction engine. the Bank Holiday celebrations. gives full details of the role, application process, selection criteria and timescales. Photo: Christopher Glover

26 27 Volunteering Update Finally if you haven’t tried it before, then don’t let the winter put you off volunteering. There’s still plenty to do over the next couple of months before we Peter Mills start running the daily service again. The January Track Week advertised at the back of the Magazine is a great chance to do your bit and get stuck in as general By the time you’re reading this in the Magazine, the recruitment posters will be winter permanent way work continues – everyone is welcome. Alternatively at the various stations along the line. The poster, through pictures, highlights the you might consider the indoor life; here is this quarter’s correspondent to offer a many varied and important roles carried out by volunteers on the railway. This small insight into volunteering with the engineering department in Ravenglass… will go alongside the worded poster and is also a back-up to the new volunteer leaflet which explains in detail all the various aspects of volunteering on the R&ER. The leaflet is a useful tool when interacting with the public at events or Engineering Success open days, etc. It’s comprehensive and can be taken away by the visitor, giving David Gray them a chance to digest the information and get in touch when it’s right for them. We need to ensure that we interact with potential volunteers in a relaxed way, Volunteers have for many years helped in the engineering department doing a hopefully in the process leaving them encouraged and sufficiently empowered wide range of work, including: the machining of fitted bolts for the frames of to get involved. River Esk; the upgrading of the air braking system on Synolda; the overhauling I am pleased to report that we have enjoyed a successful period of recruiting of the chimneys used for inducing forced draughts in the engine shed; and new volunteers to the railway throughout the summer. One of the key factors preparing the heaters in the carriages for winter service. With regards to the to this new recruitment was an item on the BBC local news. This news item new workshop, we have installed the compressed air system and been involved highlighted the links to the local community and it also highlighted the with the painting of windows, doors, walls and the floor. Stephen Farish, Chief importance of volunteers and the competition faced by other good causes for Engineer, states: “These volunteers have been a valuable asset, enabling much the general public’s volunteering time. We also heard from volunteers working work to progress without interruption”. A major project we have underway, but on the railway and their thoughts on volunteering and the benefits that they delayed due to helping with the commissioning of the workshop, is completing get from it. The hundred years anniversary of our fifteen-inch gauge Ratty was the work on the adaption of a special coach for the transportation of wheelchairs important for the railway and also for the volunteers. You the volunteer are in a and bicycles. unique position to help make the next hundred years of history and this has been This year’s volunteers have been: the main driver for getting people involved; this tag line is at the cornerstone of our recruitment process and will be used over the coming months to continue David Gray, a retired chartered mechanical engineer who started his engineering recruitment. career in the 1950s as an apprentice fitter in Glasgow and who also spent time working in the railway foundries at Crewe. As I write this in early October, I plan to attend a HRA seminar entitled ‘Encouraging Young Persons on Heritage Railways’. It’s one of many areas we are Charlie Minshaw, presently a student with Energy Coast University Technical looking at. If we can improve at attracting new people of all ages to the railway, College who has been interested in trains for many years and has enjoyed then this will give us the best chance of achieving continued volunteering machining work in the new workshop. success. It will be interesting to see the industry view on this issue and the Sam Wake, an engineering apprentice from Sunderland who has also beneficial effects other railways have seen from recruiting young volunteers. I volunteered at Beamish driving 7¼ inch gauge steam trains there. am working on the continuation of our recent successful recruitment. To this end, I will be putting a plan together to put to the Society Council and the R&ER Clement Holland, who is also involved with the overhaul of Siân and has worked Company for future development of consistent volunteer recruitment. We need as a volunteer doing track work on the Windmill Farm Railway – a fifteen-inch to continue to add to the good start made this season on volunteer recruitment gauge railway in Lancashire – as well as doing some tinsmith work. by showing to the world the benefits of volunteering on the R&ER, and what John Reed, a retired chemical engineer, is a regular volunteer helping with volunteers get out of volunteering. I would like to say a big thank you to all who both general engineering work and assisting our joiner Dickie on a number of have trained, mentored, and shadowed new volunteers throughout the year occasions, including with the construction of the store, office and mess room in Remember, without your efforts in passing on your skills, then we would have the new workshop. struggled to achieve the success we have had in new recruitment.

28 29 The future: 8457: A Golden Opportunity Volunteers will always be welcomed Keith Herbert, Mungo Stacy, Peter van Zeller in the engineering department, as there is a wide range of work to be In the last issue of The R&ER Magazine, it was announced that a small team would done; engineering experience is not journey to Mataró, just north of Barcelona, to visit the workshop currently home necessarily required but some does to Krauss Pacific locomotive No.8457 which is listed for sale. This example, help. along with fourteen others, was designed by Roland Martens, a contemporary of renowned UK designer Henry Greenly (whose chief works include River Esk All photos: Author’s collection and engines on the RH&DR), and built by the German locomotive manufacturer Krauss of . These locos were built from 1925, this particular one in 1929. Three more locomotives (bringing the grand total to eighteen) were built to a slightly modified design by Krupp of Essen in the 1930s. Those familiar David Gray. with other UK fifteen-inch gauge railways might know the three KruppsBlack Prince (RH&DR) or Rosenkavalier and Männertreu (Waveney Valley Railway at Bressingham); visitors to park railways in and Austria might have come across several of the Krauss engines still at work today (there are two in , one in , two in Vienna – plus the chassis from a third working under a diesel engine – and three more in Stuttgart). Of all the Martens locos built, only Rosenkavalier (1976 centenary celebrations) and Black Prince (1982 and 1990 seasons) have run at Ravenglass, but in the latter case especially lies the proof of the compatability of this type of engine with our operation. Number 8457, along with the unrestored chassis of No.8473, are two of four machines built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition in Seville that year. Their construction, apparently, was sponsored by King Alfonso, because the earlier Krauss locos were already in the hands of promoter Eric Brangsch and booked to run at Barcelona in separatist Catalonia. While the Brangsch locos Charlie Minshaw. Sam Wake. worked all over Europe (Antwerp, Toulouse, Rotterdam, Cork), in the years that followed the 1929 exposition the Seville locos stayed put, having run daily through the fourteen-month event duration and then only occasionally until

Clement Holland. John Reed on Les. Engineer Jaume Circuns alongside 8457, 19th October 2015. Photo: Mungo Stacy 30 31 1932. The Spanish Civil War then intervened, the four locos escaping damage to conditions at Ravenglass and could be in service in 2016. It would appear and being left in store until the 1960s, when No.8455 was steamed to run at a to be approximately half the cost that has been quoted for a new-build engine park attraction in Madrid, while 8457 and 8473 donated wheelsets alternately and has similar overall design parameters in terms of traction capability. The for use under a diesel engine. Put another way, No.8457 has worked only the recommendation of the review team is that, should the R&ERPS wish to pursue tiniest fraction of its eighty-six-year life. the acquisition of a steam engine, this locomotive is purchased and that the purchase occurs as soon as can be arranged. When the park in Madrid ceased operations, a Barcelona-based group acquired the locomotives and coaches, hoping to start a railway along the seafront in Mataró. Owing to difficulties encountered with legistlative bodies in Spain, this has not happened, but restoration of the locomotives has continued. Locomotive 8455 was completed and sold to the Killesbergbahn in Stuttgart, Germany, in October 2014, following which time work on No.8457 has advanced significantly, with construction of a brand new tender body occurring only just before our visit. It is interesting to note that it was the tenders which carried the ‘locomotive’ names in times past, and these were sometimes swapped around, but No.8455, having its tender so-named, has become Santa María. The loco we inspected – No.8457 – was probably the original ‘owner’ of that tender, therefore could be considered the true Santa María. The review team found that the locomotive is in excellent condition and in a nearly complete state. The boiler and frames are in a condition consistent with the reported low use over the first years of its life in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and subsequent storage, and Discussions underway alongside 8457. Photo: Mungo Stacy are effectively ‘as new’. The boiler inspector used by the R&ER, Bob Garnett, was a member of the review team. He considered that the boiler and firebox were in excellent condition with minimal signs of wear on rivets and stays. Spot thickness measurements were as expected. There are some essential, but generally minor, works which must be carried out to obtain a boiler certificate in the UK, but Bob considered that certification could be achieved readily. The finding of the review team is that, so far as has been practicable to establish, the This Krauss machine has been styled similarly to a standard gauge LMS locomotive would be suited The cab controls. Photo: Mungo Stacy Duchess. Photo: Mungo Stacy 32 33 reserved for people with dogs just inside the door – could not something similar Correspondence be done on the railway, at least in the less-pleasant weather? Ratty is such a wonderful place, we don’t want to put dogs and their owners off From David Allanach, by e-mail: by seeming unfriendly to them.

It was good to read that new coaches are being considered before some of our From Simon Haynes, by e-mail: existing coaches reach their fiftieth birthday. Perhaps I can open the discussion on their design? It would be good if the new saloon coaches: Reading the article in the last Magazine regarding the design considerations for a potential new steam loco [Number 218, page 16], I couldn’t help but wonder had more headroom – anyone 6ft tall sitting in the end seats in the saloon can if we are in danger of re-inventing the wheel. I thought all the six-coupled touch the roof with their head, so even a curved roof would help; versus eight-coupled pros and cons were thrashed out following the 1971 visit avoided the sardine syndrome and had the same width as the Maxis, but without of Northern Chief from the RH&DR and the subsequent construction of the the central aisle which didn’t use the extra room efficiently and didn’t speed three Northern Rock class locos. Rather than dwell upon the theory, I would boarding and exiting; have thought some considered experiences from drivers past and present on the performance of the different types would have been of more value – and had no outward opening doors – a central sliding door a little wider than on the interest – not only to readers, but designers. While new-build has its merits, the Belle and tip up seats would be good for the disabled coach. second-hand market must obviously also be explored. It’s a great pity that Black And one thought for the opens – can the guard’s compartment have a tip up Prince’s sisters are not available – given the success of her performance in the seat facing Ravenglass to avoid a twisted spine? past, they would be ideal. Of course what I’d really like is a Swiss-style panoramic coach where you can As an aside, on the fifteen-inch gauge Killesbergbahn in Stuttgart, their main see the buzzards circling above Muncaster Fell from inside a saloon. Dream on! running line is continuously welded to help their locos cope with their eye- wateringly steep gradients! [Would any drivers like to comment? Would the From Annie, Chatswoof: Foreman like to weld seven miles of track? Do please write in! – Ed.] Following the letter from Poppy in the last Magazine, I would like to add my big, beseeching brown eyes to the plea for dogs to be allowed to become members of the Preservation Society. I would love to volunteer as I would make a very good Guard Dog, or I could help by clearing up any food dropped under the tables. Failing that, what about introducing a Rover ticket for dogs? Maybe £1.50 for one day, £3 for three or £5 for a week. I visited the railway recently with my Mum and while she didn’t mind paying £1.50 for a round trip, it seemed a lot just to ride half the line on our way home. Also some guards don’t know how much to charge for a dog who gets on part way up the line; one guard I met thought it was the adult single fare... I was very restrained and didn’t bite his leg. It is also difficult for a single person with a dog to get a ticket at Dalegarth as dogs are not allowed in the building. It’s the same with the cafés; I wonder how many doggy families have turned their backs on the cafés because dogs aren’t allowed inside. I was allowed into pubs and other cafés on my holiday. One café had three tables Annie. The diminutive Soony - only four-coupled - poses on the Marsh during its full- Photo: Heather Searle line trip to Dalegarth on the evening of 31st August. Photo: Sam Dixon 34 35 A Century of Engines 40. Green Goddess 41. Northern Chief 42. Southern Maid Peter van Zeller

43. The Bug 44. Hercules 45. Samson 1. The Contractor’s 2. 3. Nabb Gill Loco 46. Typhoon 47. Hurricane 48. Winston Churchill 6. Sir Aubrey 4. Sans Pareil 5. Colossus Brocklebank 49. Doctor Syn 50. Black Prince 51. Red Gauntlet 7. Katie (Heywood) 8. Ella 9. Muriel 53. City of Birmingham 52. John Southland 2 (pictured below) 10. River Irt 11. River Esk 12. Poultney engine 54. Little Giant 14. River Mite 13. River Mite 15. Northern Rock (Clarkson) 55. Count Louis 16. Northern Rock II 17. Cumbria 18. Bonnie Dundee 56. John 57. Yvette 58. Red Dragon 20. Wall Autowheel 19. Synolda 21. Economic Scooter Scooter 61. Princess Anne 59. George the Fifth 60. Princess Elizabeth (Severn Lamb) 22. Crewe Tractor 23. ICL No.1 24. ICL No.2 62. New Brighton 63. BSA Scooter 64. Blue Pacific diesel 25. Fordson NG39 26. Passenger Tractor 27. Quarryman 65. Ermintrude 66. Carol Jean 67. Mary Louise 30. Royal Anchor 28. Fordson NG41 29. Scott Scooter (pictured below) 70. Peat Bog 68. Sea Lion 69. Sandy Simplex No.1 31. Shelagh of Eskdale 71. Peat Bog 72. Broughton Moor 73. Greenbat Simplex No.2 Simplex 32. Silver Jubilee railcar 74. Blacolvesley 75. Siân 76. Katie (Guest) 33. Silver Jubilee second powercar 77. Wroxham Broad 78. Spitfire 79. Thunder 34. Lady Wakefield 35. Cyril 36. Les 80. No.24 81. Lady Augusta 82. Spirit of Adventure 38. Standard Gauge 39. Standard Gauge 37. Douglas Ferreira Kerr Stuart Muir Hill 83. Tasmanian Garratt 84. Lydia 85. Soony

36 37 88. Princess Anne Trafford Allen, 1926-2015 86. Lady of the Lakes 87. Doctor Diesel (Barlow) Patrick Allen 90. Prince William 89. City of London 91. Effie Trafford (Traff) Allen, who died on 9th October aged 89, was a good friend of the (pictured below) Ratty, and with his wife Audrey was a regular visitor to the railway in the 1980s and 1990s. Traff and Audrey made many friends amongst staff, volunteers and 92. Ursula local people, and they enjoyed the characters and the family atmosphere in and around Ravenglass as much as the railway itself. Tributes to Traff all mention 93. Morse switcher his love of trains, but also his kindness and his quiet sense of humour, often in the form of a pithy observation on the latest incident or controversy up the line! Traff only rarely visited Ravenglass after Audrey’s death in 1997, but the link 94. Railbike (Pischl) with the Ratty has been maintained by his children and grandchildren. Traff and Audrey were introduced to the Ratty by their friend John McCullagh, 95. Railbike (RH&DR) 96. Rosenkavalier 97. Flower of the Forest who for many years ran Ravenglass Booking Office. After a family holiday at Ravenglass in 1981, visits became frequent after Traff retired from his career as 100. Flying a teacher and headmaster in 1982. Traff and Audrey used to stay at the Bower 98. Fern 99. Sequoia Scotsman House and in the high summer season they were a regular sight waiting on the platform at Irton Road, with Traff wearing his trademark sun hat. Trips and Photos: Bob Tebb gossip up and down the line would end at Ravenglass, where John McCullagh kept open house, and later in the Ratty Arms or some other hostelry. Traff and We promised a Century of Ratty engines and with just a little fiddling to make it Audrey spent a lifetime with young people and they enjoyed the company of the up to a round 100 not out for this special year, here it is – an extraordinary list young volunteers and summer diesel drivers. Over the years Traff’s three sons of machines that have graced the rails at Ravenglass thus far! all became volunteers, notably Richard and William, who were nicknamed ‘The River Esk and the short-lived Poultney rebuild were included with Fordson Godbrothers’ (William was John McCullagh’s godson)! For Traff, the friendships NG39 and the many versions of the Passenger Tractor as significant changes he and Audrey made at Ravenglass were important, and as a family we hope to of state. The two railcar power cars appear here individually although the keep in touch both with old friends and the railway. He would be quietly proud Ravenglass end unit, now coach 136 with its wrong-way-round doors, only ran that his youngest grandson, Tim, is currently training to be a volunteer guard. separately on movement trials. The Peat Bog locos were boiled down from three machines, while the unique Broughton Moor Quarry Simplex gave its bufferbeams to Anita, the flail. There are two rail bikes – one from Austria, the other from Kent. The historic unknowns start the list with the original steam loco Lucy Tilsley on the line in 1874 – the contractor’s engine used by Ambrose Oliver which, We are sorry to report the very sad news despite best efforts, still remains unidentified. The other is a standard gauge of the passing away of Lucy Tilsley, the Muir Hill tractor style machine noted only by an impeccably reliable source at R&ER’s Visitor Services Officer, on Saturday Murthwaite in 1954. 7th November. As the news broke only days Honourable mentions are due to four seven-and-a-quarter-inch gauge locos (all before the Magazine’s print date, a fuller steamed at Ravenglass, two even in passenger service) Sybil, Cegyn, Sir Arthur tribute will appear in the next edition. We Heywood and Ian Smith’s Black Five. express our heartfelt condolences to all of her family and friends. Treat this as a bit of fun. How many did you think of? Have we forgotten anything?

38 39 Forty Years Ago by the passage of a train past a sensing unit. Brighter lights are needed and the switch-off timing is still not right. John Taylor We welcome Graham Withers back into the fold as Controller, after three- Edited highlights of previous editions of the Society’s Newsletters/Magazines: and-a-half years as a publican. As we tighten up the working of our trains, his experience on BR and on the R&ER will be invaluable. Issue No. 60: dated Winter 1975/76 Work on the rebuilding of Dalegarth Cottages continues. The first two The cover picture was Mayflower and Green Arrow on the main line passing improved ones are now occupied, the complicated drainage and new septic River Irt. tank arrangements are almost complete and work is well on with the two larger houses on the west end of the row. News from Ravenglass: The Ratty Arms continues to attract more and more custom and had a successful The glorious weather of the Spring gave way to the usual mixture through the first year. height of the season and September was a miserable month. However we ended the year with an 8% increase in traffic and over 20,000 more passenger journeys The total mileage for the locomotive fleet, both steam and ICL, has increased made. The comparatively modest fare increases during the year, together with over 1974, [from 29,0041 to 30,326] and it is noteworthy that ten years ago, the the increase of traffic has enabled us to stay one step ahead of inflation. Because total mileage was only 17,548 which is very close to this year’s steam total of we are so isolated at Ravenglass and our passengers have to travel further than 17,464. to most similar enterprises, we could so easily put our fares up too much. At Slowly the goods shed at Ravenglass is being changed for its temporary role present we are giving amongst the best value for money, but fares will have to during the Centenary Display in the summer of 1976. The track gang have be raised again in 1976. concreted the floor and have started to build internal walls, while electricity is After the saga of the Passenger Tractor in the Spring, it was a season of being installed. This work of course is necessary for the building’s future use as remarkable reliability so far as the locos were concerned. Work on Northern the carpenter’s workshop and paintshop. Rock has continued and much of the most vital and difficult work is now In November it was the turn of the R&ER to be hosts to the annual gathering of complete. The valve gear and rods have now been fitted and the loco is almost the staffs of the narrow gauge railways [the same was true in November 2015 ready for its first steam trial. Routine maintenance of the other locos will occupy – Eds.]. Some arrived in time for the fireworks train on th8 November and over the engineers until Easter at least so there will be much weekend work and sixty attended a buffet supper at the Ratty Arms on the Monday after a day of burning of midnight oil to get Northern Rock ready for commissioning in May. riding on the trains. The last of the twenty-four saloon coaches to be delivered is to be fitted out as On 1st November, Copeland Borough Council celebrated the 125th anniversary a self-propelled unit. A BMC diesel engine has been coupled to Shelagh’s old of the opening of the railway from Whitehaven through to Broughton-in-Furness hydraulic pump, and is to be installed in one end of the coach. A new type of to connect with the Furness Railway. An invited party travelled by train from bogie and suspension is being tried out and it is hoped that assembly will take Whitehaven to Foxfield. The party was greeted at Ravenglass by your General place in the next few months. Royal Anchor can then be retired. Manager and daughter suitably attired and a short address was given. The siding beside Murthwaite Quarry has been removed completely. The length of double track through Murthwaite has been singled and new points Car parking to the bottom siding have been installed on the main line. A fine piece of work To many volunteers, manning the car park at Ravenglass is a chore they prefer was performed by the gang in the month before Christmas with the completion to avoid. This is a pity because not only is it important to the Railway, but a of the first of the new passing loops. This has been installed using new sets of friendly car park attendant can be a very happy first introduction to our line. points on the straight between Katie Caddy Crossing and Miteside. It is to be Fortunately some people do enjoy the job and get satisfaction out of doing it known as Miteside Loop. The second new loop on the straight to the west of well. Hugh Taylor is one of these and now holds the record for the number of the water tank [at Fisherground] is now being installed. New points and rail are well-parked cars he has been able to fit on to the car park. This stands now at being used here. The telephone poles now extend to Eskdale Green. 135 cars – a challenge to future attendants. It’s reckoned that 140 cars is possible, The lights at Eskdale Green now work. The lights are switched on with people still able to get out of their cars in comfort. 40 41 Ratty Riddles Ratty Diary 2015-2016 Compiled by Dave Simpson E&OE. Please check dates and details nearer the time before travelling. The six-ton hopper wagons DATE EVENT CONTACT In the 2000 edition DECEMBER of the History, Saturday 12th Extraordinary General Meeting at 13.00 in Ravenglass Secretary Keith Davies Council Meeting, Ravenglass † Christmas Dinner, Drigg mentions the first trials of the JANUARY 2016 hopper wagons on 9/5/1928, having Thursday 14th Press deadline for March issue Editor been ordered on Saturday 23rd - Track Week Ravenglass 10/2/1927. He Sunday 21st added, in brackets, “the order had, FEBRUARY optimistically, th specified 6 weeks Saturday 13 Start of weekend service Ravenglass delivery...” MARCH We then found a th series of photos Saturday 12 Council Meeting, Ravenglass Secretary from the Real Saturday 19th Start of daily service Ravenglass Photos collection, and were looking Full details of all Railway events can be seen on the website: † Please book in advance at one of the http://ravenglass-railway.co.uk/events/ tippler, taken from gantry, and showing Ravenglass yard. It must be from late 1927, as the big shed is still in situ and the new River Irt can be seen, alongside ICL 1. What caught our eye was, just below the horizontal timber wagon stop, two of the bogie hoppers. Other images in the same set show No.3 hopper, with the back end propped up, and the bogie frame, stripped of its wheels, in the foreground. Set alongside are the precursors of the hydraulic and electric th lifting devices, two lengths of rail! Lydia descends Hollin How on 30 August. Photo: Christopher Glover A further view shows what must be parts of the new crusher, on flat wagons. Back Cover: Egremont Town Band plays on the train as River Mite passes by, at Miteside, during the Bank Holiday. Photo: David Mart

The R&ER Magazine is published by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society Ltd. 2015. Registered office: The Station, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SW. Incorporated in England. Registered No. 697768. 42 Printed by Craven Design and Print, Shropshire. www.cravendesignandprint.co.uk 43