The R&ER Magazine Number 225 June 2017

The Journal of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society The R&ER Magazine No.225 Commemoration & Celebration June 2017 Editorial by John Taylor

As Keith wrote in Magazine 224, 2017 is a landmark year in the history of Published quarterly by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway the R&ER. Events during the year both “commemorate” and “celebrate”; we Preservation Society Limited shall be remembering the fiftieth anniversary of theRiver Mite, celebrating Member of the Heritage Railway Association the inauguration of Whillan Beck resplendent in Caledonian blue, looking Editorial Team: Keith Herbert, Di Chase, Bill Seddon, Opinions expressed by contributors and forward to an autumn gala, the opening of the new museum and the completed Mark Harrington, John Taylor in editorial comment do not necessarily reconstruction of Katie. Editorial Designer: Julie Hutchinson reflect the collective views of the Society. The R&ER Magazine is always pleased to receive All these things are good in themselves, but are also events that have an correspondence, photographs and articles for possible PRESS DEADLINE: Material for inclusion importance in and beyond themselves because they serve to build up the life inclusion. Most nowadays arrive via our e-mail address, in the next issue of the Magazine must of the R&ER as an entity. Commemoration means “to remember together” or but postal contributions remain welcome. Please reach the editors not later than “to have memories in common” and it is these common memories that give include a name and contact address with any prints. Thursday 20th July at noon. Scanning facilities are available. Please send material earlier if possible. meaning and purpose. So we shall be remembering fifty years ofRiver Mite, not simply because it’s a lovely engine to look at or ride behind, but because of what Society website: http://www.rerps.co.uk those fifty years have meant to the Railway – the fundraising; the excitement of its arrival; each of its drivers down the years; every journey, each happy Council Chairman: Sam Dixon, 17 Woodlands, Great Corby, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 8LX. passenger carried, and maybe even a few unhappy or traumatic memories – but Email: [email protected] all of which play a part in making Ratty what it is. Hon. Secretary: Mungo Stacy, 34 Mayfield Road, Manchester M16 8EU. Email: [email protected] And we shall be celebrating new things too – a new or two, a new Hon. Financial Secretary: David Lees, 31 Water Street, Ribchester, Preston, Lancashire PR3 3YJ. museum, and anticipating the uniqueness and fun of an autumn gala. These Email: [email protected] are events which will happen for the first time, but the very next day will join the growing list of events and people that become the commemorations of the Hon. Membership Secretary (enquiries and online renewals): Sarah Bennett, 2 Stanley Villas, future – and the life of the Railway is enriched again. Drigg Road, Seascale, CA20 1NW. Email: [email protected] Assistant Membership Secretary (renewals by post): Jim Wilcock, ‘Porthlow’, Neston Road, Ness, There is a word Neston CH64 4AZ. Email: [email protected] used in psychology Sales Officer: Terry Williams, 88 Bluestone Road, Moston, Manchester M40 9HY. to describe such Email: [email protected] meaningful events: they are “liminal” Magazine Distributor: Cumbria Mailing Services Ltd. Penrith, CA11 9FQ. events; things which Heywood House Bookings: Mary Harding. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 01229 717080. mark a threshold, that Volunteers: Peter Mills. Email: [email protected] have a before and an General Manager: Trevor Stockton, R&ER Co. Ltd. Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW. Tel: 01229 717171. after; things which Editor: Keith Herbert, 7 Dalegarth Cottages, Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria CA19 1TF mark the passage of Email: [email protected] time, that live on in our consciousness to be nurtured and Train From Spain Appeal website: train from spain.org which are vital to our Donations: Andy Cruickshank, 11 Townfield Close, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SL common life. Let’s make 2017 a liminal Email: [email protected] Obscured from view by steam, early River Mite driver year. Front Cover: Guess who’s back! No.1 Wroxham Broad Benny Benstead brings a train into Eskdale Green. storms Katie Caddy on 4th April 2017. Photo: Christopher Glover Photo: Geoffrey Sims 2 3 News from Ravenglass retain their nostalgic ambiance but generally upgrade fixtures and fittings in Trevor Stockton keeping with the period look. Apart from anything else they are very tired generally and will not go on forever without some TLC! The extended Easter timetable is just coming to an end, following a successful In the next issue it is hoped to report fully on the new carriage build. It is holiday period. The weather was kind; spring sunshine and daffodils. The Prime anticipated that the first vehicle will be an observation car, followed by a Minister has called a snap General Election (no doubt by the time you read this replacement for the Eskdale Belle. To follow will be a roll out of the new saloons. the results will be in), the USA and North Korea are posturing over who has the After many a long year we are seeking planning permission to erect a shed at biggest missiles, while at Ravenglass one season rolls into another! Irton Road. It is one of the few rail-connected areas of the railway, bar Murthwaite, It should be a season full of promise, as outlined in the last issue, with many where it is still possible to build further rolling stock accommodation. The events coming through. Early indications are good – a very successful Peppa Pig finished building will be three tracks wide and long enough to take two carriages event in late March, in glorious sunshine, where last year it was an early Easter. on each road. It would be nice to think that one day we could winter some of This all helps to promote a feeling of confidence before the high summer. I the opens in there and leave more room for the rest of the stock at Ravenglass. think it will be a case of ‘watch this space’ as the next issue will carry reports Elsewhere the usual smaller jobs are being tackled. Irton Road Station Master’s of ’s rededication, the museum extension opening and the possible River Mite office is having a much needed re-plastering of the internal walls. This should steaming of and together! Whillan Beck River Esk make it a bit more habitable for our resident Station Master, Gwyn Murfet. In Although in its very early stages, plans are taking shape for an upgrade of Ravenglass, the area up behind the engine shed, that had doubled up as a staff our venerable camping coaches. Returned to the railway in 1968, they have car park some years ago, is being reclaimed. It had become a dumping ground weathered many a Ravenglass storm, received various repaints, had minor for the excess stone from the workshop rebuild and all the old timber from overhauls, etc. The intention is to go for a complete revamp inside and out; the same job. When work is finished we should be able to get at between six and eight cars on there every day, releasing much needed room and of course creating revenue in the main car park. Finally, we are always appealing for help from both new and current volunteers. However, we do have a significant event – the ‘Oktoberfest’ – at the end of the season with the potential to have twelve, yes twelve, in steam at some point. Subject to availability of course! Please keep Peter Mills up to speed with your availability through the season and for this event.

Permanent Way Notes David Moseley

January’s Track Week at Katie Caddy was our most successful ever – by the end of the week we had had 141 days of labour, relaid thirty-eight lengths and packed an additional twelve lengths into the 2014 relay in Wet Cutting. When the last Notes were written the earthworks were being completed – three new cross-track drains were installed and channels dug out to the River Mite. John Wilson spent several days just completing the drains and making sure the water was getting away. The path on the south side of the line (where it runs parallel to the track) has been a soggy mess as long as anyone can remember and once we started investigating we found that, although there were drains, Wroxham Broad pauses at Fisherground to let River Irt pass. these were blocked and causing the water to flow over the top of the path. Photo: Keith Herbert 4 5 Once cleared the path dried out and made conditions underfoot acceptable. By the last weekend we were packing into the old track in Wet Cutting with a The fence separating the path from the track was replaced and hopefully should gang following to top up the ballast. By the Sunday we had all but completed discourage walkers and cyclists from accessing the railway and walking up the the basic works leaving a few minor jobs to attend to the following week to track as has happened in the past. make the track fit to run passenger services. John and Stan removed the timber from the felled trees by trailer and whilst Particular thanks must go to the track gang of both staff and volunteers who yet they were in the area also felled more trees at Murthwaite, opening up a view again surpassed expectations with enthusiasm and commitment through some of the crushing plant not seen for many years. The timber from these trees was pretty indifferent weather. The week was a huge success with the end result stacked on the north side of the line at Murthwaite and will be removed and being probably our best ever in terms of quality. Thanks everyone. processed once the ground conditions across the field allow. The lovely ladies of Dalegarth fed us at lunchtime through the week, even John levelled the track bed for us before making his escape back to Muncaster bringing the food down to us at Muncaster Mill. We were also treated to a Mill, tidying the forest track and the foot of last August’s landslip as he went. Society-funded evening meal at Dalegarth on the last Saturday – thanks to Kath Whilst excavating the side drains John uncovered a heavily corroded twenty- and her staff for working such a long day to keep us suitably satisfied and thanks foot long rail which we think dates back to the days of the three-foot gauge to Sam Dixon and the Society Council for agreeing to fund the evening meal. railway. This has been taken back to Ravenglass so our museum team can Thanks also to the three speakers during the week for giving up their evenings decide what to do with it. to entertain and educate us – Peter Rooke did a talk on the first Saturday on The usual pattern of laying out sleepers and connecting up rails then began. the Furness Railway. Peter, as well as being a volunteer track gang regular, We were reusing all the old rails so care was taken to make sure everything was runs – single-handedly – the excellent West Cumberland Railway Museum in lined and joined up before clipping of the rails began. Several rails were jim– St. Bees which is open on selected days through the year. Nigel Day did a talk crowed to reduce the excessive bends which had been a long-standing problem on the Wednesday night on his time in Tasmania with particular reference to on the curve causing the ends of the rails to point inwards. the modifications he did to the steam engines there. The legend that is Peter van Zeller did a talk on the last Saturday on the Krauss locomotive and its Once clipped and aligned, ballasting began. A whole train load of ballast development leading to its arrival at Ravenglass. A taster of the new Graham (approximately eight tonnes) was used just to lift the track over the deep Whistler DVD on the Ratty was also shown. Thanks again to all the speakers for culvert to a rough level before we could even start packing. We ballasted a short giving up their free time. section of track then packed it before ballasting the next section in order to reduce the amount of As usual thanks to John and Stan Wilson for their help and skills not just through pushing the wagons Track Week but also subsequently when we have wanted ballast loading. by hand. While the Immediately after track was unpacked Track Week several and unsupported of the gang were on a we did not allow the chainsaw course – this heavy diesel across it. covered both theory Whilst one gang was and practical and took packing, another gang place on the railway. was completing drains By the end of the and ditches where week the railway had John couldn’t get in within its ranks four with his digger because qualified operators. of ground conditions. We spent some time Several fires were burning brash at burning throughout Murthwaite before the week – there was a The prepared track bed east of Miteside. the annual round of Ballasting re-packed track at The Green. lot of brash to clear. Photo: Christopher Glover fishplate greasing Photo: Christopher Glover 6 7 took place – this year was from Ravenglass to Murthwaite and included the Traffic News platforms at Ravenglass as well as the station point work and crossover. The Peter van Zeller loop points have also had their annual service and adjustment as required. Once we had occupation of the track after the half-term trains we undertook Cyril had an extended period running outside of Ravenglass station in January several packing jobs – these were really a consolidating pack of track which as the permanent way gang hack, when it was the only available motive power had been laid recently. Muncaster Mill station up to the road bridge was the first until the need to move serious quantities of ballast from a loading point at stretch done and was realigned at the same time. Muncaster Mill up to Katie Caddy for Track Week. Douglas Ferreira worked with the gang on trackwork then but later returned to its usual largely passenger A short length by milepost 1 was quickly repacked followed by a longer stretch work. Lady Wakefield was back in ‘maid of all work’ service on 6th February, at the nearby Black Bridge (at the end of the plastic-sleepered length laid in and worked passenger services most of half-term week and beyond without January 2015). A further short stretch on the Marsh over a culvert preceded insuperable issues. a visit to Eskdale Green station where the curve received attention. Finally a longish length was repacked past Beckfoot Smithy. In all over a mile of railway All the working steam locos, including Synolda, were put through boiler has received attention from the packing hammers this closed season. examination together. River Irt and River Mite took a double-headed test train round the railway on 10th February, and then Irt managed to blow additional All the repacked stretches have also been reballasted following alignment. holes in its blast pipe on its first day’s passenger service on 18th February. Mite Ditches have been cleared out as necessary – in some cases it has been worked the most of the half-term services, before itself suffering broken rings surprising how much water is being carried. We are paying a lot of attention that damaged the right hand piston valve and combination lever. Irt was back in to keeping the track bed as dry and as well-drained as possible. Keeping the service for further weekend trains and the start of daily services on 18th March, drains clear and getting the water away from the track bed is the single most but was then the only big steam loco available. Northern Rock was out of action important item to ensuring a long life of the components. When line walks are throughout awaiting return of its driving wheelsets from outside specialists, done (which is generally every fourteen days during the running season) we after its recent traction issues, and the fitting of a new smokebox. check the condition of the ditches and drains – if necessary returning to them at a later date when attention is required. On 24th March, Bure Valley Railway No.1 Wroxham Broad was unloaded, inspected and had a test run along with River Mite. The following Peppa Pig Now trains are running again we are turning our attention to maintenance of gala weekend services were well patronised with four locos in steam (including the track along with tending to jobs such as repairing fire beater stations and putting new ‘No Trespass’ signs up. Thanks to the band of volunteers who have come forward to help with these tasks. We have also made a start on strimming the line, having done three-quarters of a mile already over three days before Easter. We are out regularly throughout the next few months and as usual would be very pleased to have your company. Just a reminder – Track Week this autumn runs from Saturday 11th November through to Sunday 19th November. We will however be out on the track from Monday 6th November (once daily trains have stopped) and have occupation up to Sunday 26th with Santa trains starting the following day. Please book the dates in your diary – we will be grateful as always for any assistance you can give at any time, but particularly through Track Week when lunches will be provided along with evening entertainment on some nights. If you can come and join us please contact us via the main railway office on 01229 717171 or through Facebook (search for ‘Rat Track’). Synolda and Wroxham Broad help to make ‘four locos in steam’ for the Peppa Pig weekend. Photo: David Rounce 8 9 Synolda on the engineers’ headshunt shuttle). Irt and No.1 remained in daily Dock to Sellafield DRS sidings, then work back to Drigg Low Level Waste service while Mite had further attention to its steam air compressor. Mite was Repository the next morning for capping one of the vaults. The first shipload of loaded for transport to Beamish on 1st April and returned on 10th April, with a five Class 88s docked in Workington from Spain on 28th February, but the new test run hauling empty stock on 12th April and into service the next day. Fine DRS electro-diesels were taken north to Kingmoor and since have only been weather on Easter Saturday saw strengthened and crowded trains all day, with seen ‘under the wires’. the 11.25 forming a fully-loaded eleven coaches including the Eskdale Belle The locality escaped the worse of Storm Doris without trains delayed by Act behind River Mite. An extra afternoon diesel train then ran over the rest of of God, but on 14th February the set pushed by 37401 Mary Queen of Scots sat Easter weekend. Wroxham Broad ran every day without a problem or a break in Ravenglass Up platform for over two hours with a coolant problem. The until Easter Monday and was returned to Norfolk on 19th April. following southbound diesel multiple unit was stuck at Sellafield with a more No.8457, now to be known as Whillan Beck, left site on 22nd February to return terminal failure – not a good day for timekeeping! Delays of 108 minutes were to Bouth for completion, leaving its tender for collection on 3rd March for future beaten down to right time by the end of the day, at the cost of two missing trains. preservation by the Killesberg Park Railway in . It will partner one of 28th January saw 46115 Scots Guardsman work the Winter Cumbrian Coast the 1950s series Krauss-Maffei machines. Express southbound returning to London Euston. A repeat on 25th February Bogie flat wagon BF1 was finally broken up 24th February – interestingly it was was cancelled but Jubilee class 45699 Galatea worked a further steam special the running gear of former ‘Golden open’ coach 1-87 built to replace the 1928 through on 4th March and 46115 returned on 25th March, just before the reopening ‘Teaks’, before early deterioration of their new hemlock main frames led to the of the Settle-Carlisle throughout on 31st March with consequent effect on future eventual introduction of steel underframes for future new and rebuilt open excursions using our neighbouring section of main line. As these notes went to coaches. press on 20th April, a Network Rail Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train passed through Ravenglass topped and tailed by Colas Rail liveried 37421 and 37057 in Over the fence, Northern Rail Class 156461, wrapped with vinyl photos of the heritage Brunswick green with small yellow end panels, headcode boxes and Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, made rare passages though Ravenglass on 4th numbered D6757 – looking much as it did fifty-five years ago when it left Vulcan February, and subsequently, while 156420 (named ‘La’al Ratty – Ravenglass & Foundry new! Eskdale Railway’) was noted at Manchester Oxford Road on 21st January. Direct Rail Services Class 37s were noted topped and tailed on nuclear flask trains with Class 57s and 66s, as the days of heritage diesel traction on our local freight services are closing. Mid-evenings from 26th February saw DRS Class 66s again top and tailing twenty-wagon 1,800 tonne stone trains from Barrow Ramsden

The Krauss machine has been loaded on to its trolley ready to return to Bouth BF1 in a partly dismantled state in November 2016. Evidently the frames are on 22nd February. Photo: Will Sands rotten. Photo: Keith Herbert 10 11 River Esk Nigel Day

In the last months the boiler work and fittings, including valves for the auxiliary equipment, have been completed, as well as some of the piping. This has then been lagged and jacketed with some new sheets, but also a lot of the old backhead ones which have been modified to suit by volunteer John Reed. I failed to mention in the last Magazine that the boiler was succesfully steamed on a boiler flat wagon last October. This established the steam tightness of the boiler so as to avoid issues showing up after assembly. Soon the boiler will be set River Esk’s original nameplates, restored by Nigel Day and volunteer Christine aside till the work on the frames and motion are complete and the boiler can go Turkington. Photo: Nigel Day on permanently. The original blank. This resulted in two-and-a-half oil drums of swarf, some of this swarf nameplates have been restored came off in lengths of eighteen metres! The use of the largest of the workshop and are just about the only lathes speeded up the process greatly. The material for the missing brake lever original brass items to survive. is on site and being worked on. The tender has been further delayed by other engineering demands but has restarted recently with a large amount of historic The issues with the piston repairs being cut out prior to putting in new sound material. valves on River Mite reared their head again in March, The progress on Esk has been greatly advanced by the assistance of a small which has resulted in a re-think but very committed group of volunteers and the project would not be as far on some of the design and forward as it is now without their major contribution to it. Thank you to them metallurgy. Most notable is the both. Further help is welcome; the work is varied and divided up according to change to Pearlite rather than people’s skills. Simply to have someone to sand items down before painting Meanite. Pearlite is a harder is a great help. One volunteer who has helped me, Clement Holland, has now and more malleable cast iron moved to a position of employment at the in West suitable for the smaller scale Yorkshire. We wish him well in his new job. we work in. This is the same material used on the South African Railways locomotive Red Devil and emphasises the desire to resolve long-standing issues. Studies of the valve events and bobbins show that originally these had single large rings, before they were replaced by the Clupet type. By the time you read this the new valves will be complete.

Work continues on the cylinders and valve gear along with other running gear John Reed works on River Esk. components. A new drawbar Photo: Nigel Day has been made out of a solid Drawbars old and new. Photo: Nigel Day 12 13 Museum Update Manners has kindly David Rounce loaned for scanning, as well as a number of 1970s negatives Nearly there… We’re rapidly approaching 24th June which, by hook or by crook, from the Geoffrey will see the grand re-opening of the Ravenglass Railway Museum. We’re pleased Sims (your humble to announce that the ribbon will be cut by Paul Atterbury, a familiar face from Project Manager’s TV’s ‘Antiques Roadshow’ and author of several books about railway and other uncle…) collection. subjects. Photographs of There’s a way to go before that happy day, when the Project Manager can start any format and any sleeping at night again. Fitting out the new building is continuing apace with age are always of one of the last structural jobs being the installation of the track before the final interest to us, so if concrete finish is poured. Peter van Zeller and the museum volunteers have any member has done sterling work in this long and arduous task, resulting in a track layout images they’d like to which will show off our rolling stock to good effect while giving maximum donate or even loan flexibility for future developments (a HeywoodElla replica, anyone…?). for digitising then do please get in touch. The interior of the big saloon. Photo: David Rounce Meanwhile, in Northumberland, Stanegate Restorations are making rapid progress with reconstructing the 3ft Big Saloon. The regular updates we are Beyond the new museum the old Furness Railway Signal Box received an receiving have included the first ever known photos of the coach’s interior! exterior repaint over winter and is now open regularly on Fridays staffed by Chris Tracey, formerly signalman at Sellafield. Thanks to a small grant from Nu- On behalf of the RERPS, Di Chase and David Mosley are continuing to prepare Gen we are also hoping to make a number of improvements to the surrounding the Train From Spain display which will be the first to use the museum’s new garden (lovingly maintained by Cris Pharaoh) including repairs to the rotting temporary exhibition space. The aim is that the temporary space, which includes fence as well as creating new interpretation of the box itself. wall space, a display case and TV/Blu-Ray player will host a new exhibition every six months produced by local schools or community groups, the Society We are pleased to note that the increasing profile of the museum is attracting or the museum itself. a slow but steady stream of new volunteers coming forward to assist with everything from restoring the landscape dioramas for display to engaging with On the archive the public when the front the collection museum is opened. continues to grow Our sincere thanks to through a number all for their continuing of recent donations, efforts, without notably the Adrian which the museum Smith/Dave would be severely Jenner collection compromised. of ephemera and everything from ties Keep an eye on our to beermats, ashtrays social media for the and even R&ER latest progress as correspondence we enter the final from 1881. We’ve stages of the project. also added to the Hopefully in the next Wooden battens tied to the rails keep the flangeways photo archive the issue we’ll be able clear once the concrete has been poured P.D. Hancock slide to preview the new The bluesome twosome – Royal Anchor and Shelagh Photo: David Rounce collection, which John exhibits! of Eskdale. Photo: P.D. Hancock 14 15 Train From Spain: Engineering The tender will require many other new components. We are seeking Mungo Stacy people interested in sponsoring the following parts – please see the website trainfromspain.org: The first quarter of 2017 represented a period of consolidation for the Train Four wheelsets at £75; From Spain project. A considerable amount of discussion and review took place Eight axleboxes at £50; to agree the scope of works required before the locomotive enters service. One handbrake at £500; One air cylinder at £250; th Following the meeting at Old Hall Engineering on 6 January 2017, further Six brake blocks at £20; th discussions took place at Ravenglass on 16 February to review wheel profiles One drawbar at £150; and the regulator. It was agreed to construct and install a standard ‘Ratty’ One water tank at £500; regulator to provide consistency with the other steam locomotives. One coal bunker at £1,200; The wheel profiles, in particular of the front and rear bogies, were the subject of One radio locker at £75; more debate. Ultimately it has been agreed to manufacture two new wheelsets One tool box at £75; for the front bogie. These will provide the standard R&ER wheel profile to Two water valves at £25; provide an optimum fit between the locomotive and the track. Painting at £1000; Lining at £250. Parts for the tender are being fabricated and procured. In a sign of the times, the sheet metal parts for a new tender for a steam engine have been designed Considerable thought has gone into a suitable whistle for our new steam using CAD and laser-cut by a computer-controlled machine. The ‘flat-pack’ parts locomotive. One of the attributes of the Ratty is the ability to distinguish which arrived at Old Hall Engineering on 27th February. train is coming up the valley, even from several miles away up in the fells, by the distinctive and individual whistles. Following extensive research it was decided

The Krauss steps out on a December test train. Photo: Keith Herbert The tender flatpack for the Train From Spain. Photo: Jack Dibnah 16 17 to try to locate a South African Railways chime whistle. No sooner had this been By the time this edition of the Magazine is with you, another event – a race decided, then we received an offer from a friend on the Isle of Man to loan just night – will have been held in Ravenglass, again to raise funds. Thanks to our such a whistle, an offer which has been gladly accepted. Hon. Membership Secretary, Sarah Bennett, for organising this, and to Janet Dickinson for hosting it in the tea bar at Ravenglass. We understand the races There are further events for the locomotive throughout the year, including the were contested by various Train From Spain cut outs, each liveried according to DRS open day in Carlisle on 22nd July potentially followed by a tour to the Central some of the more exotic suggestions made last year! Lakes behind the traction engine Providence, then of course the Oktoberfest event from 21st-29th October. If you are interested in helping with these events The Appeal should continue to have a presence at other significant events in the then please contact the fundraising team: [email protected]. Railway’s year, such as the AGM and the Oktoberfest; its work is by no means done, even if the project as a whole is in its final months… Promoting of new sponsorship opportunities for components of the tender, which was done via Train From Spain Appeal our website and social media channels, has yielded further income by way of Keith Herbert support for the restoration. We remain open for donations, and very grateful for them. Since the last update on our Train From Spain Appeal, funds have continued The Appeal team has been looking at the possibility of an ebay shop, to provide to be accrued at a steady rate. We now have more than £30,000. A significant an additional avenue of income from merchandise sales. Alas, this has not been event for the Preservation Society came with the opportunity to take River Mite a straightforward operation, and we might now be too late to take advantage to Beamish as part of its fiftieth birthday celebrations (more on which from Sam of the opportunity. In a similar vein we were unable to proceed with a murder Dixon on page 26). Many Ratty volunteers flocked to the event, brought in by mystery event last year, which was a shame after much hard work had been put the allure of being a part of something so spectacular. A stall was well staffed into its planning. This all tells us that fundraising can be hard work, requires throughout, bringing in an additional £188 in funds. good coordination and also probably more volunteers than we have been fortunate to attract. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, currently building its main line P2 Class engine Prince of Wales, has our utmost respect for how quickly it has achieved so much! People with an interest to man a stall promoting the Train From Spain at Ravenglass or any other specific event should contact fundraising@ trainfromspain.org – during Oktoberfest, particularly, we would like some volunteers. Unfortunately the specifics of this event are currently unconfirmed. It is hoped for visiting locomotives from abroad, but also for a beer tent, German-themed food and music. More information will clarify this in the next issue, due in September. To close, there must be a brief word on the launch of the locomotive – the single most massive milestone there is! It has not yet been confirmed when the inaugural run of the locomotive will be, as it shall require proving trials and painting first. One date not to forget is the DRS open day at Carlisle Kingmoor depot (see Ratty Diary, page 39). The ‘official’ launch will be Saturday 21st October – the first day of Oktoberfest. Invariably this will mean the engine will not run while painting takes place. That it can run at all will depend on the outcome of its trials, but for the first time we are in a position to reveal our targets – testing in December 2016 giving confidence that it can all be achieved.

The group stand at the Pockerley Waggonway shed. Photo: Keith Herbert 18 19 Ratty Visit to Dresden 1998

River Mite and Northern Rock flank one of the Dresden Krauss locos during 1925-built Krauss locomotives Lisa and Moritz pose on shed. their October 1998 visit. Photo: Jeff Bennett Photo: Jeff Bennett

Another former River Mite driver, Ron Clarke, poses with Cyril and the two River Mite hauls a packed train round the Parkeisenbahn circuit. battery locos. Photo: Jeff Bennett Photo: Jeff Bennett 20 21 From the Secretary’s Desk operation of the Railway during the last half century. We hope it continues to Mungo Stacy perform a similar role for the next fifty years. The front bogie of River Mite is the original one fitted fifty years ago. Although Annual General Meeting currently satisfactory, the tyre metal is now wearing thin and next time the wheels need reprofiling either new tyres will need to be fitted or a new wheelset The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on cast. Council has allocated a sum of money to enable this to happen as required. Saturday 8th July at Dalegarth, starting at 8pm. A special train will run from Ravenglass, departing at 6.30pm. A notice of the River Mite Maintenance Fund AGM is enclosed with this magazine. All members are invited to attend – this is your chance to express your views about the A proposal will be discussed at the AGM to merge the River Mite Maintenance future of the Society. Fund with residual Train From Spain funds, to create a single new Steam Locomotive Maintenance Fund. The two steam locomotives are covered by a River Mite combined loan agreement with the Railway Company. The Society’s first steam locomotive,River Mite, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary Douglas Ferreira since commissioning this year. This is being marked through a series of events. Just before Easter, River Mite was prominent behind the traction engine Douglas Ferreira, the Society’s diesel locomotive, is approaching the time for its Providence at the Great North Steam Fair event at Beamish from 6th-9th April. A next major overhaul. The Society Council has asked Graham Worsnop, regular golden headboard was unveiled and will be displayed on River Mite during the volunteer driver of the locomotive, to be project manager for the overhaul. The 2017 season. overhaul will occur either during the coming winter or the next one. Around the time this magazine arrives with members, a ceremony is being held Douglas Ferreira has been in service now for twelve years, and it is intended on Saturday 27th May to mark the fifty years since the locomotive commenced to take the opportunity to make some significant improvements based on operations on the Railway. The locomotive has been fundamental to the operational experience during this time.

Driver Phil Brown helps to celebrate River Mite’s fifty years in style as Douglas Ferreira approaches Miteside over newly relaid track on 4th April. Wroxham Broad passes at Irton Road. Photo: Derek Walmsley Photo: Christopher Glover 22 23 The wheelset tyres need renewing, and wider tyres will be fitted. The existing Museum tyres are slightly narrower than some of the other locomotives and it is thought Designs for panels are being produced to highlight the role of the Preservation this is contributing to wear on the nosing of the pointwork. Society in supporting the railway, particularly the Train From Spain project. Modifications to the interlocks are being considered, to address occasional issues with insertion of the keys. Changes to the hydraulics are being investigated, The Green which could reduce wear on the impellor unit, allow freewheeling and permit Fresh bark chippings will be laid to refresh the picnic area. towing at a speed higher than the current 5mph limit. In addition, the overhaul will replace the seals and other consumables on the power unit. Fisherground Defibrillators A platform area at Fisherground will be built up, using funding provided by the Society. This work started in May. The Society has been investigating the provision of defibrillators at Ravenglass and Dalegarth stations. This is in response to the question from a member at the Heywood House Annual General Meeting in 2015, following the heart attack suffered by Martin Willey. Parts for defibrillators are being arranged through the North West There have been 150 bed nights in the last quarter with income exceeding Ambulance Service. £1,080. A grant application was made and accepted. Following review of the application, The last Magazine unfortunately contained an error in one of the new rates, that the Ambulance Service has also reviewed coverage more generally in Eskdale for waged members volunteering. The correct rates from 1st April 2017 are: and is providing a further two defibrillators within the valley. Waged Unwaged Bequests Members - volunteering £6.70 per night £3.80 per night The Society has received notification of a sizeable bequest, likely to be around Members - not volunteering £13.30 per night £7.60 per night £45,000, from the estate of the late Mr Derek Fatharley of Croydon. The Society is grateful for bequests such as this, which can play a significant role in enabling the projects described in these notes. The Society has published a leaflet providing guidance on how to leave a legacy to the Society or its charitable Trust. The legacies leaflet may be downloaded from the Society website, rerps.co.uk.

Membership Membership rates have been held constant since January 2009, but will be increased from next year. The new rates will take effect for renewals from September 2017 onwards, and are:

Adult £20 (currently £18) Junior (16 years or under) £10 (currently £9) Seniors (60 years or over) £18 (currently £16) Life membership £380 (currently £350) What the Secretary saw: River Irt departs Ravenglass, passing Northern Rock in a spring 2015 scene. Photo: Mungo Stacy 24 25 We’ll Meet Again... strengthen and lengthen it to carry safely River Mite. Four different braking Sam Dixon capabilities were also fitted to ensure safety! River Mite was moved from Ravenglass to Beamish on Saturday 1st April and In December 1966, the delivery of the Society’s steam engine River Mite loaded on to the trailer that had been prepared for it. It was reunited with from its builder, Clarkson’s of York, across the Pennines to Ravenglass was Providence soon after and the pair performed a series of loading and braking famously carried out by steam traction engine Providence. At the time, it was an tests around the Beamish road circuit to ensure all was well. They made a fine extraordinary journey than generated huge publicity for the railway. sight paired up once again – for the first time in over fifty years. Throughout the visit, both were based at the Pockerley Waggonway shed where secure storage In 1966 Providence was owned, as now, by the Stafford family. In August 2015, was provided each night. R&ER General Manager Trevor Stockton was contacted by Howard Stafford and his brother Barry who were keen to explore whether some joint activity could All was set for the Great North Steam Fair from 6th to 9th April. Beamish was be planned with the Railway given the approaching fiftieth anniversary of the bathed in sunshine for the four days and huge crowds visited the museum each original delivery run. The Society Council invited Howard and Barry to attend day. Providence and River Mite were the headline attraction and each day they their December 2015 Council meeting where they presented their thoughts, made several tours of the circuit, including some time parked up in the town – along with some family pictures and video footage of the 1966 run. The Council the busiest part of the site. They both proved a huge draw and River Mite was voted to support a re-enactment. a wonderful ambassador for the Preservation Society and the Railway. Society volunteers and Company staff jointly manned a promotional stand throughout Discussions progressed throughout 2016 and the Beamish Open Air Museum in the four days, raising funds for the Society and Train From Spain Appeal and County Durham was identified as a suitable venue for a re-enactment. Providence promoting the Ratty, all supported with plenty of social media activity and an had been a regular visitor there so the Stafford family were familiar with it, their article in the December 2016 issue of Old Glory magazine. Howard Stafford also road engine being based nearby. The museum would afford a perfect setting produced an impressive display of text and pictures about the original delivery with its two-mile long undulating private road circuit passing through varied run which he has kindly donated to the Society to allow us to share the story scenery and a town with cobbled street, all in the safety of a secure environment with visitors for years to come. largely free from other traffic. Matt Ellis, the museum’s Keeper of Transport, is a good friend of the Ratty and I met with him and the Stafford family in November The success of the Beamish re-enactment has led the Society Council to consider 2016 to firm up arrangements for an appearance at the Great North Steam Fair, other opportunities to work with the Stafford family. It is therefore hoped that sign formal hire agreements and kick off the marketing and promotion for the Providence will haul Whillan Beck on Cumbrian roads in July this year to ensure that event in April 2017. Beamish kindly funded the transport of River Mite, with the part of the delivery of the Society’s second steam engine is as remarkable an event Society agreeing as that carried out to loan it free all those years of charge and ago. Full details the Railway will be made Company available on the agreeing to its Society website trip away from and via social Ravenglass. The media channels original trailer once details are used in 1966 no confirmed. It longer exists; the is also hoped Stafford family that Providence found a suitable will be in alternative, Ravenglass for but still had to the Oktoberfest event in the Providence hauls River Mite around Beamish. make significant Howard and Barry Stafford during the recreation. autumn. Photo: Sam Dixon alterations to Photo: Sam Dixon 26 27 Membership Matters By the time you read this, the volunteering leaflet will be in circulation and I Sarah Bennett thank everyone who has helped in the creation of it. Finally, Danny Duckworth is taking over from this year’s AGM as the Volunteer Membership renewals are finally slowing in pace as the majority have now been Liaison Officer for the Preservation Society; I will be working with him on processed by Assistant Membership Secretary Jim Wilcock and me. It is certainly volunteering matters. I’m sure you will join me in wishing him well in this post a time-consuming task and visits to both the Post Office for stamps and the post and will all support him in this important task. box have been frequent, usually following late night sessions on the computer updating information, finding the correct membership cards and placing them Becoming a Guard in envelopes with the correct address sheet. Mike Powell Now we, the Council, find ourselves looking forward to next year’s renewals. A decision was taken at the March Council meeting to increase the subscription rate It is May 2016. Three years earlier, on retirement, we had moved to my old family for 2018 to: £20 for adults, £18 for seniors and £10 for juniors. Life Membership st home in Seascale. As refurbishment was nearing completion we decided to visit will increase to £380. This increase will be implemented from 1 October 2017. the Ratty for a day out. I had briefly been a volunteer in the 1960s and, knowing the late Martin Willey, had travelled the line many times on the footplate of Volunteering Update Bonnie Dundee. On impulse I went to the signal box and offered my services as a volunteer guard. The guy with a Liverpudlian accent asked what I did for a Peter Mills living – “Retired.” “Good,” he said. “Where do you live?” “Seascale.” “Even better.” I am writing to you from a sunny Ravenglass – I know the weather hasn’t always It was a week later on 17th May that I reported to start training. I thought I knew been great over recent weeks. the railway quite well, but on receiving my blue training folder and a new rule book, soon realised there was a lot to learn. As previously reported, the big change this season has been the introduction of the new induction system to the Railway, with staff and volunteers alike going through the process. So far a total of 49 volunteers (as well as many staff) have participated, for which I thank them. So this is a polite reminder to those regular volunteers who attend on a weekly basis to make arrangements to be inducted as soon as they can. I understand that those volunteers who live further away will have to wait until their first volunteering visit of the season to go through the process. While I know that there may be mixed feelings about inductions, it is something that we all have to do, and getting it done sooner rather than later will make the administration side of things a lot smoother. So far it has been well received by all participants, who have offered good, constructive comments by way of feedback. We will use this feedback to improve the system in future. Our main event this year will be the ‘Oktoberfest’ in October. It will be a big tap on our resources – not only financially, in getting the visiting locomotives and crews here, but also in terms of human resource. We will need members to support this event with a large volunteer contribution. Preliminary planning has started, with confirmation of visiting locomotives and the daily programme for the week expected soon. This will be a special and unique event and will give us the opportunity to show off the Railway. I’m sure that with your contributions it will be a big success. River Mite comes off shed while Northern Rock and 2016 visitor Typhoon are prepared for work. Photo: Mike Powell 28 29 I spent that morning with River Mite, first helping clean the engine, followed by training his students, a young lad (significantly less than half my age!), proves a round trip. My first key impression was the importance of team work. I had an excellent trainer. Perhaps because he has recently gone through training already noted in my rule book that “The Guard is in charge of the train.” This himself? I experience my first full train. We add an extra coach at Ravenglass, seemed a bit intimidating. A volunteer in charge of a train with paid staff on the delaying departure, and are pushed to find space for everyone. But it’s an locomotive? Indeed that is the case. But my driver emphasised the importance exhilarating experience, and we are almost on time at Dalegarth, despite stops of working together. Mistakes will happen, I was advised, but by working at most stations, including Beckfoot with a full train. My guard is concerned together they can be managed. That afternoon was spent on a round trip with about the restart up the bank, but I enjoy every minute! And I’m sure our driver a guard. The main impressions:– what a lot there is to do. Cleaning stock, train relishes the challenge. I realise how much needs to be done at Dalegarth in our inspection sheets, First Aid kit, ticket book, cash, train order sheets (“RandER twenty-minute turn round. How do you manage that by yourself? Boards”), coupling and uncoupling the engine, checking tickets, managing the Fourth day and different personnel again. Today’s guard is very thorough travelling public, dealing with wheelchairs and buggies, the brake test, hand and has decided views on ticketing. This guard is also quite insistent on route signals to the driver, selling tickets during the journey, checking timings. How knowledge. A good thing too. Suppose something goes seriously wrong and does one person cope if the train is full? I need to communicate with control. Precise location is important. I remind My second day was 25th May. Introducing myself to my guard trainer, we went myself – the guard is in charge of the train. to clean the train in the carriage shed. I realise that cleaning the train is very Fifth day, and the guard being in control of the train becomes a bit of an issue much a duty expected of the guard. No problem with that, although it wasn’t for this trainee. In my view keeping to time is important. Indeed our Blue Bible until weeks later I discovered that cleaning the side/tops of the coaches was insists that if your train is late you are delaying trains all down the line, especially also expected – and I realised why when my hands were filthy from the coach in the high season. We are at Dalegarth, and I have been given charge of the tops – not what the passenger wants. train today. I want to depart on time, but our driver is not ready. What to do? My third day sees another driver and guard. So many new names! My trainer After all, I am only a trainee. I blow the whistle and the driver does look in my for the day leads to a bit of role reversal. Instead of the recently retired teacher direction. But there is no acknowledgement. I decide to blow the whistle again and give the appropriate hand signal. My signal is acknowledged and off we go – a bit late. At Ravenglass I ask my driver, who tells me I am in charge of the train and he was simply waiting for my hand signal. Lesson learned. Whistle and hand signal. A word about our passengers. What a delightful set of people they are – most of the time! However, I do have a motto: “An incident a day – is to be expected.” I

The driver looks back for the ‘all clear’ from the guard as Northern Rock leaves River Irt approaches Black Bridge and the Barrow Marsh on its way back to Dalegarth Photo: David Mart Ravenglass, 30th August 2015. Photo: Ian Pilkington 30 31 am sure all guards have their own incidents. A round trip on the engine follows Joan Stott 1924-2016 for me. I had done this many times before – but purely as a guest. Now I am Trevor Stockton training to be a guard, so I do the radio under the driver’s instruction, turn the injectors on and off, blow the whistle and even experience, briefly, the reverser and regulator during the run round at Dalegarth. I appreciate the requirement Joan first came to Ravenglass in 1965, staying in the original BR camping coaches that the guard needs to be able to make the locomotive safe, and hope the for a week’s holiday with the family, and often reminisced about that visit. situation never arises. The day makes me appreciate how much there is to do She didn’t return to Ravenglass until 1969 when, on a day out from Padiham, on the footplate – and all by one person. I also experience my first, managed, Henry negotiated both Wrynose and Hardknott Passes with the family in his emergency brake application. This is all very well, but what about a genuine Ford Anglia. The family welcomed a stop at Dalegarth and, seeing the timetable, situation? The answer comes sooner than I expect, with a passenger putting decided to use the Ratty rather than brave the twisting roads back to Ravenglass. his feet out and pushing against the ballast as we leave Dalegarth station. He This chance visit was the start of regular family holidays both in the R&ER does not appreciate the danger of catching his foot with consequent sprains coaches and in the cottage at Dalegarth which benefitted when, being a carpet or broken bones. I applied the emergency brake and counselled against such fitter by trade, she supplied and fitted new carpets. She wasn’t the most active behaviour, and my driver, to my relief, has no qualms about me bringing the volunteer in the Preservation Society but she helped where she could, going train to a swift halt. out litter-picking on the line with her children and grandchildren and doing a And so, in due course of time, comes the day for “passing out.” Actually my regular evening stint sweeping out the coaches at Ravenglass during her two- previous turn had been the busiest I had experienced, and I felt I was being week holidays. She was very vocal about singing the praises of her Ratty, in reviewed to see how I coped. On the day, all went well on the 9.25, and on later years often at the wrong time – her ophthalmic surgeon, paramedics and return to Ravenglass I am passed out. The next train, 12.45, will be mine. The hospital doctors all had to wait until she had extolled the virtues of a visit to ‘first time’, as I am sure you all know, is quite exciting, if not a bit intimidating. Ravenglass before they could get on with the job at hand. But it is thoroughly enjoyable. After all, I am “The Guard” and it’s “my” train! I Joan spent her last two-and-a-half years in a Padiham care home from where we feel privileged to be a small part in the continued operation of our wonderful managed to spring her for a trip to Ravenglass. However, it was very tiring for little railway to the fells. her and we felt that it was to be her last visit. Unfortunately, being at the end of the season, there weren’t many of her old friends on duty that day, but she did enjoy being back on’t Ratty. One of her many old friends on the railway, the late Dai Pickup, jokingly used to call her his ‘Lancashire Witch’ – and he may well have been on to something... She passed away peacefully at the care home in the wee small hours, with her family by her side after a very short illness. At the exact same time as she died a crow outside her window cawed three times, not before or after. So perhaps Dai was right after all, and this was her familiar saying goodbye.

A guard’s-eye view of River Mite rounding the curve to Fisherground Halt. Photo: Mike Powell Joan Stott. Photo: Courtesy Trevor Stockton 32 33 Correspondence

From Bob Brook, by e-mail: I found John Bate’s article in the December Magazine most informative, and it filled in some gaps in previously published material. Having done some work on ICL No.1 recently, and also some research along with the photographs David Rounce has found in the archive, I think I can answer John’s questions on the bogies of this loco.

! Photo: Bob Brook The rear bogie as John says is a modified Greenly Theakston bogie with, Thebasically, rear justbogie the asframes John and says suspension, is a modified no pivot, Greenly attached Theakston rigidly to the bogie loco with, basically, ! frames. It may have been from a coach but could have been built specially for it. justThis the bogie frames was in and place suspension, when the Ford no enginepivot, wasattached fitted rigidlyin the springto the of loco 1927 frames. It may The front bogie is of plate frame and riveted construction, with what appears to be a forged haveand hasbeen had from different a coach diameter but wheels could fittedhave beenat least built once speciallysince then. for When it. Thisthe bogie was in equalising bar supported by two springs. Its pivot not only swings but slides to give the placeloco first when appeared the Ford in September engine was 1926 fitted the rear in bogiethe springwas the ofsame 1927 design and as thehas had different required movement. This bogie is in all the pictures of the loco from the 1926 Douglas front from the glass coach. It seems that in May 1927 this bogie was used as the diameterbasis for thewheels Scott scooter.fitted at least once since then. When the loco first appeared in engine form until the present time, the only variation being the height of the supporting September 1926 the rear bogie was the same design as the front from the glass coach. spacers as rear wheel diameter changed. This bogie was photographed under the Sand It seems that in May 1927 this bogie was used as the basis for the Scott scooter. Hutton glass coach in August 1924 was assumed to have come from Sand Hutton, but earlier photographs are inconclusive. Photo: Bob Brook ! ! The front bogie is of plate frame and riveted construction, with what appears to The rear bogie as John says is a modified Greenly Theakston bogie with, basically, be a forged equalising bar supported by two springs. Its pivot not only swings just the frames and suspension, no pivot, attached rigidly to the loco frames. It may Thebut slidesfront tobogie give isthe of required plate frame movement. and riveted This construction,bogie is in all thewith pictures what appears of the to be a forged have been from a coach but could have been built specially for it. This bogie was in equalisingloco from thebar 1926 supported Douglas by engine two formsprings. until Its the pivotpresent not time, only the swings only variation but slides to give the being the height of the supporting spacers as rear wheel diameter changed. place when the Ford engine was fitted in the spring of 1927 and has had different requiredThis bogie movement. was photographed This bogie under is in the all Sandthe pictures Hutton glassof the coach loco in from August the 1926 Douglas diameter wheels fitted at least once since then. When the loco first appeared in engine1924 was form assumed until tothe have present come time, from Sandthe only Hutton, variation but earlier being photographs the height areof the supporting September 1926 the rear bogie was the same design as the front from the glass coach. spacersinconclusive. as rear wheel diameter changed. This bogie was photographed under the Sand It seems that in May 1927 this bogie was used as the basis for the Scott scooter. Hutton glass coach in August 1924 was assumed to have come from Sand Hutton, but earlier photographs are inconclusive. ICL No.1 during its days as a van for the permanent way department. Photo: Bob Tebb 34 35 Forty Years Ago in overheating, and ultimately a blown cylinder-head gasket. Its activities are John Taylor mainly confined to the last and first trains and the 9.10am round trip. River Mite is now in a thousand pieces. Even more faults than expected have Edited highlights of previous editions of the Society’s Newsletters/Magazines: been found, and after major rebuilding she should be a finer engine. At their meeting on 9th July, the Society’s Council agreed that Mite should be painted in Issue No.66: dated Summer 1977 a colour as near to Furness Red as possible; the locomotive will also be re-lined. The cover picture showed the new railcar Silver Jubilee leaving Ravenglass on On Sunday 28th June, a sack of Stan Wilson’s oats was milled, the first grain to go its inaugural trip. The centre spread entitled “News on Camera” showed Silver through Muncaster Mill since 1961. Jubilee’s naming ceremony, and scenes from inside the new Rander Base. The poor weather at Easter and the unsettled spell over the next few weeks, “Silver Jubilee to Rander Base” plus the financial climate generally, have caused a drop in passenger traffic; and although during June it has been back to normal, a drop of almost 10% so far Using the radio-telephone fitted to Silver Jubilee, Lord De La Warr, Managing this year must be recorded. Director of the Rediffusion Group, obtained authority for the new railcar to proceed to Dalegarth on her inaugural run at 2.45pm on Saturday 28th May. This With much regret we record the death of Billy Bell at the age of 82 years. Billy was not only the launch of the new railcar, named in honour of the Queen’s had been associated with the Railway since 1922 when he joined the Holland Silver Jubilee, but also the inauguration of the Radio Control system. To a Brothers in re-opening Beckfoot Quarry, and worked there as a blacksmith until rousing version of “Do you ken John Peel” the railcar drew smoothly away the Quarry closed in 1953. He was then one of the Quarry workers who were from the station. Guests, who could not all be accommodated in the Silver retained by the Keswick Granite Company and he worked on the permanent Jubilee railcar, were much impressed by the riding qualities at varying speeds; way. He was doing this work when the Railway changed hands in 1960 and the acceleration capability was amply demonstrated on the straight from Irton we still remember his heroic labours at that time. Failing health made him take Road towards Walk Mill Summit on the return journey, when approximately things easier in 1968 and he finally retired in 1969 after 47 years working in 40mph was attained with little apparent effort. Eskdale. Rediffusion’s press releases proclaimed “Britain’s First Radio Controlled Passenger Train” and “High Speed Train Comes to Cumbria”. However... the Silver Jubilee train trip which followed the Society’s AGM on Saturday 18th June got off to a bad start! As the railcar stood ready with a full complement of passengers, it became obvious that the driver seemed to be having difficulty in engaging forward gear, apologising for the jerky forward movements. A few minutes later the smooth transmission came into action and the train glided smoothly away from Ravenglass. Just beyond Eskdale Green, cries of alarm were heard; “We’re on fire!” A pall of smoke was emerging from the engine compartment. Stopping at Fisherground loop, inspection revealed that the engine had grossly overheated, and the journey was terminated. The new radio system came into full use as the problem was reported to Rander Base. Northern Rock appeared at the head of the 6.00pm down, passed the railcar and cleared the loop, and then reversed to connect the rear coach to Silver Jubilee, which was then towed back to Ravenglass.

News from Ravenglass Since 28th May Silver Jubilee has made many runs to Dalegarth. The train’s record has been spoilt by a number of failures, mainly due to no more than a link-belt to the dynamo and water-pump which are not reliable enough for the job, resulting The Silver Jubilee railcar at Ravenglass. Photo: Bob Tebb 36 37 The Queen’s Silver Jubilee has provoked a great deal of thought about how our Ratty Diary 2017 country has changed in the past 25 years, and we can reflect how La’al Ratty has fared in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. At the time of the Queen’s accession, E&OE. Please check details before travelling the quarrying activities at Beckfoot and Murthwaite were on their last legs. The subsequent events which gave birth to our Society are, of course, well known. The Society can be justifiably proud of its efforts to save the Railway in 1960 but DATE EVENT CONTACT for which it is unlikely La’al Ratty would have survived to celebrate this Jubilee JUNE year. With a sense of humility the Society too acknowledges the track record of the Railway’s management and staff these past few years. Saturday 10th Council Meeting, Ravenglass Secretary JULY The Things They Ask! Saturday 8th Society AGM, Dalegarth Secretary Shortly after the inauguration of the radio control system, a passenger asked a th driver during Wimbledon Week if he knew the result of the Women’s Singles Thursday 20 Press deadline, September issue Editor Championship. When he said that he didn’t know, she asked “Don’t you get the Saturday 22nd DRS open day at Carlisle Kingmoor depot Chairman news on that radio set?” featuring the Train From Spain SEPTEMBER

Saturday 9th Council Meeting, Ravenglass Secretary

OCTOBER Saturday 21st - Oktoberfest event featuring German-built Ravenglass Sunday 29th steam locomotives at Ravenglass

Full details of all Railway events can be seen on the website: † Please book in advance http://ravenglass-railway.co.uk/events/

Blast from the past: Cyril collects museum-bound coach 6-27 from Irton Road on 4th May 2017. Photo: Jackie Pharaoh

Geoffrey Walden RIP Christine Turkington Wroxham Broad under the gaze of Scafell in July 2014. Photo: Will Tilston The ashes of Society member Geoffrey Walden were scattered by his son and family on the Railway on 7th May. Geoffrey was a long-time visitor to Ratty and always rode in the Back Cover: Wroxham Broad in glorious sunshine at Dalegarth. rear carriage; his son and family did the same in his memory. Photo: Christine Turkington The R&ER Magazine is published by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society Ltd. 2017. Registered office: The Station, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SW. Incorporated in England. Registered No. 697768. 38 Printed by Craven Design and Print, Shropshire. www.cravendesignandprint.co.uk 39