The R&ER Magazine Number 231 December 2018

The Journal of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society The R&ER Magazine No.231 A Feast for the Senses December 2018 Editorial by John Taylor

On a Monday in September whilst on holiday in the Lakes, my wife and I spent Published quarterly by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway the day on the Railway – and what a great day it was. Arriving at Ravenglass early Preservation Society Limited for the 11.25 departure we first had a look around the museum; and although it Member of the Heritage Railway Association wasn’t my first visit, I again found it to be a wonderful introduction to the Railway; Editorial Team: Keith Herbert, Di Chase, Bill Seddon, Opinions expressed by contributors and and what a sense of history it conveys through exhibits, photos and words. Mark Harrington, John Taylor in editorial comment do not necessarily Editorial Designer: Julie Hutchinson reflect the collective views of the Society. The 11.25 was filling up nicely so, armed with coffees from the tea bar, we took The R&ER Magazine is always pleased to receive our seats in an open coach – and then the heavens opened – heavy squalls of correspondence, photographs and articles for possible PRESS DEADLINE: Material for inclusion rain and hail made most passengers dive for the saloon coaches; but with hoods inclusion. Most nowadays arrive via our e-mail address, in the next issue of the Magazine must up we braved the elements as, headed by Northern Rock, the train departed on but postal contributions remain welcome. Please reach the editors not later than time – we even got a sympathetic wave from the controller, snug in the signal include a name and contact address with any prints. Thursday 17th January at noon. box. But we were right to stay out for, by the time we were crossing the Marsh, Scanning facilities are available. Please send material earlier if possible. the rain had stopped and a delightful mountain panorama lay before us. Society website: http://www.rerps.co.uk Riding in an open coach is one of the great delights on the Railway and soon we Council Chairman: Simon Thompson, ‘Hilltop’, Fen Road, Pidley, Huntingdon, were enjoying the sounds from Northern Rock as it effortlessly pulled the train Cambridgeshire PE28 3DD. Email: [email protected] up through Mill Wood, with clouds of steam from the loco condensing in the saturated air. Sights of historic industry were noted as we passed Murthwaite, and Hon. Secretary: Mungo Stacy, 34 Mayfield Road, Manchester M16 8EU. the scenery gradually became ever grander, the mountains being a feast for the Email: [email protected] eyes and an uplift for the soul. By the time we reached Dalegarth, the sun was out Hon. Financial Secretary: David Lees, 31 Water Street, Ribchester, Preston, Lancashire PR3 3YJ. and we had begun to dry out; a walk to Boot for lunch completed the process. Email: [email protected] Hon. Membership Secretary (enquiries, life membership, Nos. 1000-1999 and 2900 onwards) : Our feast for the senses continued with a walk to Dalegarth Falls, with the sun Sarah Bennett, 2 Stanley Villas, Drigg Road, Seascale CA20 1NW. Email: [email protected] Assistant Membership Secretary (Nos. 2000-2899): Jim Wilcock, ‘Porthlow’, Neston Road, Ness, Neston CH64 4AZ. Email: [email protected] Sales Officer: Vacant Magazine Distributor: Cumbria Mailing Services Ltd. Penrith CA11 9FQ. Heywood House Bookings: Mary Harding. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 01229 717080. Volunteers: Peter Mills & Danny Duckworth. Email: [email protected] General Manager: Peter Brendling, R&ER Co. Ltd. Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SW. Tel: 01229 717171. Editor: Keith Herbert, 7 Dalegarth Cottages, Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria CA19 1TF. Email: [email protected]

150 years of Ratty history ravenglassrailwaymuseum.co.uk @rermuseum Whillan Beck glides into Irton Road on 14th October in the wake of stormy weather. Photo: Sarah Bennett Heading for the mountain panorama behind Northern Rock. Photo: John Taylor 2 3 warming our backs and the sights, sounds and smells of the woodland adding to work put in by the engineering staff and volunteers; I can only remember it failing our enjoyment of the day – we even saw a red squirrel, and spent time just standing once during the season. Talking of engineering, it has been really nice to see the and watching it leaping around amongst the twigs and branches. As we passed workshop working well as a team, bringing together the team from John Fowler St Catherine’s church and graveyard, I pondered as I looked at the tombstones, Engineering, our own staff and volunteers under Martin Cookman’s leadership. on the lives once spent in the valley and on those who would have known the Our shops have had a good year, which has been helped by an increase in Railway from the beginning and throughout the ups and downs of its history. railway-related items being sold. The staff have also embraced the new uniform Our return journey was by the 15.50, hauled once more by Northern Rock; we which gives such a positive first impression to passengers when they arrive. sat again in an open coach and this time were able to chat with the guard. The The drivers and permanent way staff have both had to deal with extremes in return journey is quite a different experience as we are now heading downhill weather; with snow and freezing temperatures at the start of the season, then the to the coast; the loco doesn’t have to work quite as hard, and the landscape heatwave where we were seriously worried about the possibility of lineside fires ahead is opening out. Soon we were speeding across the Marsh on a glorious and, now, finishing off the season with more typical Lake District wind and rain. afternoon, the wind in our faces and the smoke from the loco blowing across the fields – surely one of the great moments on a journey down to Ravenglass. As mentioned before there has been a lot going on behind the scenes too. We are changing the company we use for our railway safety advice and looking at What a wonderful day we had; a train journey hauled by a steam locomotive, our whole safety management system (usually abbreviated to SMS). We have rain followed by sun, grand mountain scenery and intimate woodland environs, also been doing a lot of other health and safety work for the other areas of the wildlife both bird and mammal, a sense of history and the story of people – truly operation. We have introduced a new system for online booking which will a feast for all the senses – sight, smell, sound, taste and touch. hopefully help speed up the booking process. Now THAT is the total visitor experience! Whilst it has been a good year, not everything has gone to plan. We are currently still waiting for the new observation coach, which has been held up mainly because General Manager’s Report of the curved glass which goes at the end of the coach. I suppose it shouldn’t have Peter Brendling come as a surprise as, if you watch Grand Designs, the thing that always holds up the build is the glass. It was As I write this I realise I am doing so after the deadline set by the Editor for also decided that the camping copy. So first thing is an apology to Keith for being late in getting this to you. coaches needed to have some The reason I am late in writing this is it has been a busy few months both with major work done to them regards to the side passengers see and also behind the scenes. We have had a before we should be letting good season in lots of ways. them again. We are currently working on ways to fund the One of the major successes this year has been the Cream Tea Experience, with work needed. nearly three times as many people taking them this year as against last year; I would like to give special thanks to the catering and booking staff that have Looking forward I believe dealt wonderfully with the extra teas. Whilst talking of catering, both of the we are in one of the best cafés have seen an increase in business this year. At the start of the season we positions we have been in changed the layout of the shop and café servery at Dalegarth, which seems to a long time, with a full set have worked well. We will be looking at Ravenglass this winter to see what we of steam locomotives, two can do to improve the layout there. working diesels and Perkins not far off completion. I It has been a good year for locomotives, too. Whillan Beck has been the star would still like to see more attraction this year and must have had its photo taken more times than the volunteer involvement, going Queen this year. It is wonderful to have River Esk back in service too, with many forward, but would like to The fine workmanship of the Ffestiniog improvements made by Nigel Day. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when thank everyone who has Railway’s Boston Lodge Works; delivery of we finally managed to getDouglas back in service. Lady Wakefield did sterling given up their time to help the curved glass panel is still awaited on 22nd work as the only diesel throughout the summer. It was kept running by the hard make this a good year. October. Photo: John Dobson 4 5 Operations & Engineering regular boiler washes at Martin Cookman this time and removing sediment from the boilers and waterways The operational and engineering team has worked well over the summer season has not only kept the to keep the steam loco fleet available for duties, as well asLady Wakefield, which locos running better was the one diesel we had serviceable at all times. Project work has slowed with the balance of water down over this period as running repairs have taken priority and the staff have treatment but has also been released to take holidays. prevented significant The railway’s engineering department made it to its first six-month point with failures being caused by John Fowler Engineering (JFE) and I have taken the opportunity to visit owners sediment in the system. Alex & Charlotte Sharphouse at Old Hall Farm to check that everything has River Irt – stored, been running smoothly with regard to the practicalities of this relationship. serviceable. The loco They confirmed all is well and they are happy to continue as planned. I thanked has run well through them on behalf of the Railway Company and made them aware that we greatly the summer season and appreciate all the practical help and verbal advice that has been given; this has is still in serviceable undoubtably enabled us to achieve so much so soon and put us on the right On 20th August a stricken River Irt lays over in condition, awaiting road in developing the department to support railway operations. Irton Road sidings, awaiting rescue by ICL9 Cyril, a suitable time to be meanwhile River Esk passes with a train almost 50 Locomotives and Coaches withdrawn for its minutes late. Photo: Christopher Glover bottom-half overhaul. We have taken delivery of two new axles from Complete Engineering which This will include reprofiling all the wheels, renewing brass bearings and have been produced in line with the development of coaches at the Ffestiniog fabricating a more robust rear pony truck. The loco suffered a failure in service & Welsh Highland Railways (F&WHR). These will be used as an initial trial for on 20th August when the left-hand piston head became detached from the fitting JFE wheels, thus forming our new in-house-produced wheel sets. Final piston. At first it was thought to be a catastrophic failure which had damaged unit price costings are still to be produced. the casting, however, on closer inspection it turned out to be a repair with little A new air system brake valve has been sourced and tested on a coach at long-term damage incurred. Graeme King and Peter Fitzwilliam set to, and had Ravenglass. All tests indicated that it operated in exactly the same manner as the loco repaired and returned back into traffic in no time at all. our current obsolete stock of valves (which are no longer in production). The River Esk – in service. The loco has been used in traffic often and now has most F&WHR have been informed of these results and fitting one to the observation drivers trained on her. After running 1000-plus miles she has developed a few car will now take place. The delivery date for the observation coach is yet to be issues with the brake hangers and steam sanders. The brake hangers have been confirmed. We will need to develop a testing programme which is workable secured more robustly to prevent sideways movement. The steam sanders have for the R&ER and the commissioning group from the F&WHR, and which been removed and replaced with manually operated ones – this has had to be merits safety verification and approval from Green Dragon Rail. On successful done to ensure reliability for the winter season. completion of these trials, we will need to have in place a practical plan of how it’s used, where it’s kept and what the marketing aspirations are. River Mite, Northern Rock, Whillan Beck – in service. All three of these locomotives are performing well in traffic. General maintenance is taking place and we are now starting the routine of reprofiling wheels again. The permanent way fleet is being lifted, checked and Synolda – stored, serviceable. Synolda is due a ‘boiler off’ inspection and greased before winter service, with the final wheelchair and cycle coach being overhaul this winter. Initial thoughts are that the work could be split into three worked on by our volunteer engineers. This coach has had the bogies built up sections (boiler, wheels and motion, tender) and carried out over three winter and overhauled, all the air piping fitted and the electrics for the lights/heating periods, therefore keeping it operational and available for summer season work. assembled. It will soon be sent to the paint shop for the final finishing touches, Katie – stored, serviceable. Serviceable and available for use by the museum. before being commissioned into traffic. Douglas Ferreira – in service. The rebuild of Douglas by Forth Engineering The weekly service plan is holding up and seems to be going well. Carrying out 6 7 was completed on 24th September. Following two days of trials and testing, I am Traffic News very pleased to say the loco was accepted as fit for purpose and commissioned Peter van Zeller back into the running fleet.Douglas has completed 518 miles in traffic to date, working up towards the 100-hour point, and will then be withdrawn for filters As this goes to press after days of rain culminating in Storm Callum, it is hard and fluids to be changed, along with having a comprehensive check of all to remember the heat of early summer. With the continued dry weather then components. causing severe disruption on many heritage railways, to limit potential fire risk I think it is fair to say that this rebuild has been far harder and generally more from spark throwing from early July all R&ER trains were limited to eight coaches testing than could ever have been predicted at the start. A huge amount of thanks plus the Eskdale Belle (which invariably only has a couple of passengers). This for their time and hard work goes out to Mr Graham Worsnop for leading the loading restriction was relaxed by the first week in August with the onset of project, Mr Brett Rogers, Forth Engineering, Complete Engineering, John Fowler a ‘normal Lakeland summer’ which quickly reversed a prospective regional Engineering and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway engineering department. hosepipe ban and reverted the balance of our local mains water supply from 50-50 to the normal 80-20% ratio from Ennerdale Water and the Egremont Having spent time making new relationships and progressing works so far this boreholes. At least with proper warning given by the utility company this year, year, the above list of skilled companies we are working with is an excellent the loco water treatment was temporarily increased by half and the steam loco example of why we very much feel part of a team and no longer struggling as boilers did not, consequently, suffer any serious leakage of stays and only a an individual. This is a great result; well done to all. couple of incidents of bad priming from the relatively significantly changed Lady Wakefield – in service. This loco is in daily traffic and being rested where feed water condition. possible, when we can cover its work with steam engines. Lady Wakefield is to The other general concern, the lack of a second big diesel loco, continued long be withdrawn and prepared for winter permanent way duties. after the initial return of the bogies for Douglas Ferreira and testing under the Perkins – under repair. Perkins has been transported to Old Hall Farm for final loco in the engineers’ yard on 29th-30th July. A close inspection duly revealed bodywork fabrication by John Fowler Engineering. We are hoping to see the the culprit of the hunting on its earlier test run to Murthwaite, in a previously loco return soon and take up winter working duties. unsuspected but seized torsion bar, but also concern with the ultimate security of the wheels themselves on to axles with their seats now worn by approaching Shelagh of Eskdale – under repair. This loco is in the workshop being assessed 150,000 miles of service. The bogies were duly returned from further work at for project plans for a rebuild in the budget year 2019. So far, it has had the Carlisle on 17th September; a light load test run went to Dalegarth the following rolling chassis removed for inspection, the main driving wheels have been evening, followed by an empty train on 24th September, loaded trials and a first turned and we are hoping to overhaul the bogies. A project team for this rebuild service train two days later. Douglas then took over the diesel trains, other than is being assembled, with design work and costings carried out before work in when newly passed and trainee drivers were rostered. Meanwhile the newly re- earnest is undertaken. It is our intention to have this loco operational during engined Perkins’ chassis was collected by John Fowler Engineering transport next season 2019. for fitting out its new bodywork, controls and brakes on 11th September, and Operational Health and Safety. reached the fresh heights of the Corney Fell road on its journey. Otherwise our main line diesel traction continued to be provided by Lady Wakefield. We welcome Dr Liesel von Metz, with her company TGD Solutions, to our team. TGD Solutions will be taking over the role that Green Dragon Rail has provided Throughout high season, whenever steam locos and drivers were available, for the last 10 years. We wish Ian Hughes and his team all the very best and there were four 42-mile steam turns, so the normal peak ‘yellow’ service four-trip thank them for all their help. 56-mile diesel turn was cut back to the very last run of the day. This sometimes featured in the lower level ‘red’ and ‘green’ services too. There were constant Liesel has so far carried out a gap analysis (the comparison of actual performance observations and a few disappointed travellers expecting internal combustion with desired performance) and will be updating our Safety Management on the advertised trains, alongside many other happy customers. Lady Wakefield System. She will coordinate the amendments to our rulebook and oversee had very occasional ‘moments’ such as the breaking of the gear/direction lever its introduction next season. She will also be carrying out a full audit of the cable on 31st July, when it managed the rest of its day being reversed directly engineering workshop. at the gearbox. Otherwise the benefit of the substantial rebuild at TMA, fitting I’d like to finish by expressing thanks to everyone. The positive attitude, and the the then brand new Perkins engine in 2013, has been entirely justified. On 20th willingness to make all this work, is very much appreciated. Thank you! August the loco recovered River Irt and train from Long Yocking, then worked 8 9 a lightly loaded but 16-coach train – its own plus the stock from behind Irt – yet had virtually no significant issues throughout that period. It was rested for from Irton Road back to Ravenglass. Then presaging its normal winter work, it a washout from 10th September, then displaced a cylinder drain cock (scaring took a permanent way train with new sleepers for the Miteside Loop area on sheep!) at Irton Road on 15th September, to be relieved by Lady Wakefield, 22nd September while steam power substituted on the first and midday trains. towed back to Ravenglass by River Mite, with Whillan Beck rapidly steamed in its place. Rock was back in service on 22nd September. River Mite has itself Meanwhile the bonus availability of five large steam locos on many days has worked as required largely without issues. Indeed it has had more Thunderbird continued to provide almost every permutation in service, bar all five of them moments of its own, called to the rescue of other locos at short notice. Then on working trains together, and consistently few problems beyond shunting the 10th October dragging coaches on a rail coated with dew in Mill Wood required loco shed the day before to make the changes. banking assistance from Lady Wakefield. The following morning testing the Whillan Beck has continued to work steadily day after day with a variety of injectors revealed a problem that could not be solved with the boiler in steam, drivers. Its value accumulating, approaching 6,000 miles of service now, speaks so Douglas took the heavily loaded 11.25, as Whillan Beck was lit up for the for itself. It was appropriate that it was available to give a footplate ride on 6th 12.50. August to visitors from the Parc de l’Oreneta Railway in Barcelona, founded River Esk was gradually brought into full service punctuated with short visits to by the previous owners and initial restorers of our Krauss No 8457. On 14th the engineers’ workshop for attention to the old Trojan steam air compressor, August it exceptionally suffered steaming difficulties, with a blower problem first fitted in 1989, and the new steam sanders. It lost a run on th14 July after killing – not creating – smokebox vacuum, and hence needed diesel assistance catching a sandpipe on the Ravenglass bridge walkway. Then on the morning from The Green back down the line. It was back in service from 22nd August. of 26th August, Esk lost a brake shoe climbing Katie Caddy bank from Miteside, On 23rd September it worked the last Fish ‘n’ Chip special in the dark – with its stopped for examination and then reversed its train back to the loop for River headlight shining brightly. Mite to take over. After workshop attention, the loco took the last steam turn Northern Rock was also in very regular operation throughout as new driver Sam later that afternoon, but only ran two trips the following day. Otherwise its first Wake was first trained and then initially only passed out on that machine. The 250 miles of testing and 1,500 miles of service have been, remarkably, without loco had run an impressive figure of over 5,000 miles by the end of August, any bearings running warm or major problems. After further attention to brake shoes and a reversion to gravity sanding, the loco did a light engine trial on 22nd September and was back in service the following morning. The new Lempor exhaust system is so effective that the tender of coal is refilled every other day, and the next task is to quantify the savings it makes. River Irt was failed at Miteside on 8th August with a tender journal problem that stripped the tender air compressor drive belt. Two days later with further concerns of a repeat nature, it lost its last two trips to a rapidly steamed River Mite, but these proved a false alarm after which it returned to service. On 20th August it stopped with a down train at Long Yocking, with a loud knock in the motion, was towed to Irton Road siding and returned to Ravenglass by Cyril later in the afternoon. A loose piston was found to have stripped its securing thread on to the left hand side piston rod, but thankfully all had remained in line or terminal damage to the cylinder could have resulted. After workshop attention, Irt was available for service from 29th August, although not required until 1st September, then retired only five days later to await its bottom-end overhaul. Katie was steamed for ‘Driver for a Fiver’ along the engineers’ sidings headshunt on all the peak ‘yellow’ service Tuesdays, a special morning hiring on 11th August, another on 15th August for the visit of the Chairman of the Heritage ICL8 Lady Wakefield recovers River Irt’s train from Irton Road on 20th August. Lottery Fund, and 30th August for the BBC Radio Cumbria live outside broadcast Combined with its own train, the consist now measures 16 coaches long! from the railway. Photo: Christopher Glover 10 11 Permanent Way Notes confirm they are quite heavy. The track in this area will be relaid and realigned David Moseley in January 2019. Several of the rails in this area will need to be replaced with the ex-Eastriggs rail we bought last year. Writing these notes in the signal box on a cool, windy day in October, it is hard to We have also drilled, ready for installation, 100 cut-down ex-main line sleepers. remember just how hot the summer was up to the beginning of August. Certainly These sleepers will be used in the loco shed headshunt where the track laid it had been the longest spell of dry weather most people could remember. Day some 12 years ago is now looking decidedly poor. This is a task we can attend after day we were on the highest level of fire risk with extreme care taken to to once the Santa Specials are in full swing. prevent lineside fires. We returned to typical ‘soft’ Cumbrian weather more or A reminder that January 2019 Track Week will take place from Saturday 12th less when the school holidays began and, whilst this was good as far as the January through to Sunday 20th January. Food is provided at lunchtimes through railway operating staff were concerned, it did put a metaphorical dampener on this week and there will be an evening meal and talk on the last Saturday. traffic levels. We shall be out on the track from Wednesday 2nd January 2019 – any help you The track gang returned to regular strimming and fortnightly line walks can give would be very welcome as there is quite a lot of things to complete attending to any minor issues as they arose. A huge thank you to the regulars before the trains are out of their boxes in mid-February. who have improved the lineside out of all recognition – the fire risk this year has been contained thanks in no small part to our efforts at keeping the vegetation As usual we would be delighted to see you. cut back. Plans were made for this winter’s relays with 500 sleepers arriving with our Overhaul of Douglas Ferreira contractor for drilling and plating in early August. The first batch of these arrived Graham Worsnop at Ravenglass in early September and were dropped at Miteside loop, ready for November’s Track Week, by a gang shortly after. In the June Magazine, I reported that an initial test run had been aborted at We also received and moved to site some 14ft long timbers for reinforcing the Murthwaite due to the loco crabbing and that investigations were ongoing roadway at Dalegarth. These were ex-main line crossing timbers and we can to determine the cause of this. This proved extremely difficult to diagnose, despite measuring everything in sight. Forth Engineering even checked the wheels in their lathes and found difficulty in getting some to run true. However, when reassembling the wheelsets for one bogie, three wheels sat on the axles correctly, but the fourth would not sit true. It was true when placed on the axle, but as soon as the taperlock fittings were tightened, it pulled out of true. This proved to be the key, as we were then advised that this phenomenon could only happen if the wheel bores had fretted. We then discovered that all the bores had fretted to a taper to some extent. This is because the taperlocks are at the outer edge of the wheel bore, but the flanges are on the inside edge, and thus going round curves would cause the wheels to flutter on the axles, causing this fretting. The effect of the fretting was that the wheel centres had been machined to take the tyres to a false datum. Several attempts were taken to try and correct the problem, including fitting a different type of taperlock which should have been able to hold the wheel true without relying on the bore being true. They could – but not with the addition of nearly seven tons of loco sitting on the wheels. As a result, the rears of the wheel bores were fitted with bushes to hold the wheels The rolling chassis of old permanent way favoruite Perkins takes the high road true – but these will need to be replaced every time the wheels are re-profiled. to John Fowler Engineering at Old Hall Farm, Bouth, over Corney Fell. The wheels were also reprofiled to correct the false datum issue, which will take Photo: Peter Mills some life out of the tyre – but we should still get 20 years of life. The machining 12 13 facilities and skills of Complete Engineering Ltd. at Carlisle have to be seen to Passenger Numbers be believed. R&ER Co. CEO David Little Our Chief Engineer, Alex Sharphouse, also noticed that the body movement while the loco was sitting on its bogies (most of the investigation was done on The table below gives the total passenger numbers and the profit/loss for detached bogies) was just a bit odd. This revealed that the side control linkages the past five years (the profit shown is after tax, with any exceptional items had seized. The replacement of these was an oversight by everyone. Due to removed). their location, they had been missed. Refitting everything, the wheels at last sat true, and also their flanges were clear Year Profit after tax (£) Total Passengers of the rail heads. Moving the loco around the workshop yard confirmed this and 2013 10,350 96,544 led to a successful light test run to Dalegarth and back. Following some minor 2014 60,861 108,660 adjustments and replacement of weeping hydraulic hoses, a test run with a full 2015 119,308 113,475 rake of carriages was carried out. This was successful. The hose issue is still 2016 -32,100 111,194 being monitored and the clamps may need replacement – and for guards, the Ravenglass air pipe was replaced before entry into service as it wouldn’t stay 2017 -88,431 110,310 coupled. The loco was returned to the carriage shed on 25th September and the Visitor numbers have remained reasonably static over the last couple of years, first service train was hauled on 26th September. with 2018 plotting a similar course. Interestingly the way people book their We have learnt a lot about the design of the locomotive and the maintenance tickets is changing, with around 9% of ticket sales now being made online, needed, which should stand us in good stead for the future, and the next with the headline online price being held since 2015. We have invested in our step is now to assemble a list of parts, so a suitable spares holding can be IT systems to increase the type of tickets available online and, along with a established. Following that, I will be working with Martin Cookman to establish continued discount off the standard fare, we hope to further increase online a maintenance regime to try and prevent some of the issues which we have had ticket sales to 15% in 2019. recurring. The R&ER’s turnover continues to be split 55% from fares with the remaining 45% from secondary spend, such as cafes, restaurants, car parking and self- catering. Despite the disappointing performance of 2016 and 2017, we feel the R&ER is now in an excellent position. Now that we are getting on top of our engineering problems and again have reliable motive power (both steam and diesel) we hope to be able to build on the significant investments we have made in recent years. Whillan Beck is a great addition to the fleet and our thanks go out to all those involved with its restoration. We are extremely grateful to the Preservation Society for its vision and drive to make this a reality. We must also thank Nigel Day for his dedication in returning River Esk to traffic. Our new observation carriage should be ready for the start of the 2019 season, giving visitors an exciting new option for travel, and we are working up the prototype saloon carriage, which we hope to have in service by summer next year. Thank you to everyone who expresses a view about the Railway. Although we are not able to act on every suggestion, it is heartwarming to know the affection in which La’al Ratty is held by so many. Douglas Ferreira back in familiar territory, as River Mite awaits departure time. Photo: Jackie Pharaoh 14 15 Whillan Beck - the Train From Spain and, at the next board meeting on 28th June 2012, confirmed that they would Mungo Stacy be agreeable to a new Society steam locomotive. The General Manager, Trevor Stockton, has been a strong supporter of the project throughout. As Whillan Beck is welcomed into service, it is apt to review the Train From Spain Steam options project. Much happened in the two-and-a-half years since the Extraordinary During 2012 and 2013, explorations and enquiries were made about obtaining General Meeting in December 2015 at which it was decided to proceed with the existing 15-inch gauge locomotives. Discussions with various railways were project. However, the origins of the project lie much earlier. carried out but none was successful. Due to the demands of running on the Origins and beginnings R&ER and the scarcity of available and capable existing locomotives, it began to look like a new-build would be required. During the late 2000s, the Society Council had observed that increasing numbers of trains during the high season seemed to need to be operated by diesel. This Interest in developing a new-build proposal was expressed from several parties. was contrasted with the days of the late 1990s when the railway was able to Proposals were invited and discussed at the December 2013 Council meeting, field five locomotives in steam, includingBonnie Dundee. Although the diesel which included a general review of options. services benefitted the introduction of a new volunteer diesel driving scheme, The meeting heard that a Krauss locomotive was apparently for sale in Spain as which commenced in 2008, the Council noted that the railway’s selling point is part of a job-lot, with a price of €500,000. The minutes of the Council meeting its steam service. Indeed, the railway’s 2018 timetable features prominently the noted the challenges of doing a deal internationally, working in a foreign words ‘steam railway’. language, with a group where we have no previous relationship, for locomotives At that stage, the desire for a new steam engine was probably little more than where we have no history. wishful thinking, although the prospect did receive a mention in The R&ER The outcome of the discussion was that a new-build along the lines of Northern Magazine in March 2008. These thoughts received a stimulus in October 2009 Rock appeared most favourable. Owen Ryder was asked to take forward the with the notice that the Society Trust would be likely to receive a significant proposals, which evolved into the ‘No.12’ project. bequest from the estate of my predecessor, Dai Pickup. Realising the value of the estate took several years and hard work on the parts of the executors, Peter van Zeller and Graham Withers. The property market was slow following the credit crunch of 2007 and the sale of Mr Pickup’s property took several attempts. The Society’s Financial Secretary, Ian Leigh, emphasised that the Charity Commission strongly recommended Charities such as the Society Trust to have a clear policy on the level of reserves held and an explanation of why they were held. That is, it was not considered good practice to hold large sums of money for an undefined purpose. Therefore, at the Society Council meeting in March 2012, a discussion took place on the uses of the bequest. Ideas discussed included supporting an extension to the railway museum, and acquiring other locomotives or rolling stock. Costs were estimated at £350,000 to £500,000 for a new-build locomotive. From the early days of the Society and Railway Company, the Society has been represented on the board of the Railway Company by a nominated director. The position was used to good effect by Iain Aldred, the Society’s nominated director, to make a formal approach to the Company’s board meeting on 13th March 2012 about the acceptability of the Society providing a new steam locomotive. The approach came as something of a surprise to the Company’s directors, who A postcard view of the Seville Exposition, featuring one of its four locomotives had not considered this might be a possibility. They duly considered the matter (could this be No.8457 Pinta, alias No.12 Whillan Beck?). Photo: Magazine Picture Library 16 17 Extensive concept design work was carried out during 2014 and 2015 by the exhibitions or railways in public parks. Three further locomotives were built to volunteer team of Owen Ryder, Duncan Webster and Dominic Wells. This work a slightly modified design by Krupp of Essen in the 1930s, and these include included meetings with R&ER engineers, drivers and staff. Key parameters such Black Prince at the RH&DR and Rosenkavalier and Männertreu at Bressingham. as wheel configuration were agreed at a design decisions meeting held over 12th Another two locomotives were built by Krupp in the 1950s for the Stuttgart line. and 13th June 2015. Should a similar proposal be developed in future, then the The locomotive No.8457 was one of four purchased to run at the Ibero-American design reached following these discussions would be a useful starting point. exposition in Seville in 1929. It ran daily during the fourteen-month duration of Visit to Mataró the exposition, then occasionally until 1932. In early 2015 the possibility of acquiring the ‘Spanish Krauss’ was raised again. During the Spanish Civil War, the locomotive was stored without damage, and The situation had changed with the items in the job-lot now being offered for remained in store until the 1960s. The locomotive and its sisters were acquired sale individually. In particular, one of the three locomotives, No.8455 Santa to run at a park attraction in Madrid. It appears that the locomotive was not María, had been sold to the Killesbergbahn in Stuttgart in 2014. No.8457 was run, but did donate its wheelsets for use under one of the other locomotives, now being offered for sale for €200,000. No.8473, which was converted to a diesel locomotive. At the June 2015 Council meeting, costs for a new-build were estimated at During the 1990s Society members Geoff Holland and Chris Mounsey visited around £450,000 with a build time of four-to-five years. It was noted that the the park in Madrid to view the locomotives. Krauss option could see a locomotive in service at Ravenglass in a quicker time In the early 2000s, the locomotive and the other park rolling stock were and for less outlay. The acquisition of an existing locomotive from Europe purchased by a Barcelona-based group, with the aim of starting a railway along also offered an interesting heritage angle which could add to the locomotive’s the seafront in Mataró, which lies along the coast from Barcelona. The group attraction at the railway and be beneficial during fundraising. was unable to start the railway, but did continue to overhaul the locomotive The risks involved were also discussed, and it was agreed to send a team to No.8457, and its sister No.8455. The group also had the chassis and parts from Spain to confirm, so far as possible, whether the locomotive would be suitable. the diesel conversion, No.8473. The fourth member of the family, No.8456, was A review ‘on paper’ showed the loco should have comparable power and restored in the 1990s as a static display at Seville. performance to the other R&ER locos. However, the condition of the locomotive The review team found that the locomotive was in excellent condition and in was completely unknown. nearly complete state. Considerable work had been undertaken by the Spanish In August 2015, Steve Wood visited the Stuttgart railway. He noted that group including fitting new tyres and roller bearings to the main driving wheels. Stuttgart were pleased with their purchase and that their locomotive was well- The boiler and frames were in a condition consistent with low use over the engineered and the class should be capable of handling the Ravenglass loads first year of its life in the and hills. Stuttgart had decided to strip down and overhaul the locomotive late 1920s and subsequent before entering it into service. storage in dry conditions, and are effectively ‘as new’. In October 2015, a team of four travelled to Mataró, near Barcelona, to visit the The locomotive had been locomotive. Di Chase navigated a tortuous route through the collective diaries changed cosmetically to to find a timeslot that everyone could make. Mungo Stacy, Keith Herbert and something approaching a Peter van Zeller were supplemented by Bob Garnett, one of the Company’s British-style outline. boiler inspectors, to provide advice on the boiler. The boiler inspector Background to the locomotive considered that the boiler The locomotive, No.8457, was constructed in 1929 by the German locomotive and firebox were in manufacturer Krauss of Munich. It was one of a series of 15 locomotives built excellent condition with to a design by Roland Martens. The narrow gauge world appears to have been minimal signs of wear a ‘small world’ then as now, and it is clear that Martens was in touch with Henry on rivets and stays. Spot Greenly, designer of River Esk. The same ratios of one-third full scale on a 15- thickness measurements Boiler inspector Bob Garnett tests metal inch gauge were used for the Krauss engines which were destined for temporary were as expected. The thicknesses on No.8457 in the Mataró workshop. inspector considered that Photo: Keith Herbert 18 19 boiler certification could be achieved readily and the boiler should provide On Cumbrian soil many years of service. Karl Bartlett offered to act as fundraising coordinator, and inspired the team with Governance and agreements the need to think about the story of the project and the branding. In consequence, the team knew that a catchy name was required. The clear winner emerging from Backtracking a little, the Council considered it essential that a formal agreement several sources simultaneously was ‘The Train From Spain Appeal’. was put in place with the Company to cover the provision of a new steam locomotive. Negotiations commenced in March 2014 during the ‘No.12’ project With a name for the project, Mungo Stacy developed the website, including and a meeting with the Company Chief Executive was held on 16th April 2014 to online donations, and this was launched on 15th January 2016. A fundraising discuss terms and conditions. group was established and a donations leaflet printed and issued. Discussions continued and in November 2015 wording was agreed. The new A second trip to Spain was arranged, this time to supervise the loading of steam locomotive hire agreement incorporates both River Mite and Whillan the locomotive. Peter van Zeller, Stuart Harrison and Karl Bartlett travelled to Beck and supersedes the old River Mite agreement. The opportunity was taken Mataró on 20th January 2016. The locomotive was successfully loaded on 21st to use more modern language similar to the Douglas Ferreira agreement, rather January, and the balance of payment made. Film-maker Graham Whistler kindly than the legalese of the former River Mite agreement. The terms are largely arranged for filming of the loading. In order to keep costs down, the transport based on the River Mite agreement, whereby the Company undertakes regular occurred as part of a back-load and the locomotive therefore endured a 2000- running maintenance and pays a notional annual hire charge, whilst the Society mile trip around Europe before arriving at Old Hall Engineering on 1st February. pays for major maintenance. Visits to the locomotive quickly followed. General Manager Trevor Stockton The team which visited Spain reported back to the Society Council and a special arranged a visit with the Ravenglass engineering team on 4th February. The discussion was held on 4th November 2015 using teleconference facilities. The fundraising team arranged an open day on 6th February and was successful in special meeting endorsed the recommendations of the review team to acquire the obtaining radio and newspaper coverage of the unloading. locomotive. However, due to the scale of the expenditure, it was decided to hold The expenditure to the start of March 2016 was £164,600 including the purchase an Extraordinary General Meeting to offer Society members a say in the decision. price, and the fundraising total was £13,280. The Extraordinary General Meeting was held on 15th December 2015. A postal [To be continued in the next Magazine…] vote attracted votes from an unprecedented 43% of adult members, with 99% in favour of the proposal. A budget of £250,000 was set for the project. A sale agreement was drafted and signed with the vendors on 17th December 2015, confirming the contract to purchase the locomotive, together with payment of a 10% deposit. Various engineering firms were approached to undertake the works that would be required to the locomotive. The preference lay with Old Hall Engineering at Bouth, near Newby Bridge in Cumbria, due to the relative proximity to Ravenglass and also existing relationships, particularly between the Society’s Stuart Harrison and the Old Hall team. A meeting was held at Old Hall Engineering on 4th January 2016 with Stuart, Peter van Zeller and Phil Taylor attending, to discuss with Alex Sharphouse and Jack Dibnah the work involved and agree terms and conditions. A letter of instruction was issued to Old Hall on 28th January. Meanwhile, arrangements were made to transport the locomotive to the UK. Stuart Harrison arranged a haulier and made the necessary insurance arrangements.

Discussions continued on the hire agreement with the Company, and this was The Train From Spain touches down at Old Hall Farm following delivery from nd duly signed at the Company Board meeting on 22 January 2016. Spain. Photo: Peter Mills 20 21 The Visitor Experience

Mill Wood, beyond Muncaster Mill, is the best place on the railway to spot red Two crows chase off a buzzard in a commonly seen – and always entertaining squirrels at this woodland feeder box. Photo: Diane Glover – aerial display. Photo: Dick Smith

Passengers can admire everything from grazing sheep to the majesty of Scafell. Whillan Beck drifts down to Rock Point, Scafell in the distance and the River Photo: John Taylor Mite flowing below. Photo: Tom Brackenbury 22 23 From the Secretary’s Desk Locomotives Mungo Stacy The Society’s diesel locomotive, Douglas Ferreira, returned to operations on 26th September 2018. Council offers its considerable thanks to the overhaul The September Council meeting was the first chaired by the project manager, Graham Worsnop, for his efforts. A number of challenging Society’s new chairman, Simon Thompson. problems relating to the wheelsets had to be resolved, in order to achieve the expected performance compliant with the railway’s wheelset standards. Events in 2019 The Society and Murthwaite Locomotive Group have jointly paid for a new A Society event featuring Katie and River Irt is proposed over (reconditioned) engine for Quarryman, in order to return the locomotive to th th the early May Bank Holiday weekend of 4 -6 May 2019. The running condition following its engine failure earlier this year. event is likely to feature Katie running the full length of the line and double-heading with other locomotives. Whillan Beck has been notable for the lack of anything of note – the locomotive has continued to run reliably ever since its launch at the start of the season. st th National Volunteers’ Week takes place from 1 -7 June 2019. It River Mite also continues to provide sterling service. However, River Mite is is proposed to hold a ‘come volunteering’ event to link in, potentially over the due a major overhaul over next winter, 2019/20. Proposals are being drawn st nd weekend of 1 -2 June. up to obtain and keep sets of spares of significant components for both steam Arrangements for both events are being led by Danny Duckworth. He would be locomotives. grateful to hear of interest in organising or assisting at the events. Heywood House Katie’s travels The fire alarm panel was replaced after it developed a fault. The Society’s The rebuild of Sir Arthur Heywood’s locomotive Katie has attracted widespread policy remains to provide subsidised accommodation for volunteer members interest and this has been reflected in invitations to visit several other railways. working on the railway. Currently, income for Heywood House covers running It is currently expected that Katie will visit the following: Beamish 11th-14th April costs but not major repairs. There were 230 bed-nights in the last quarter with 2019; Fairbourne 25th-27th May 2019; Kirklees 14th-15th September 2019. income exceeding £1400. Diamond anniversary 2020 The 60th anniversary of the railway’s preservation will occur in 2020. It is likely that a range of events will take place to mark the occasion. The Magazine team is looking to producing a 60th anniversary booklet [see page 29 for more information - Ed]. The Society has also been offered the temporary exhibition space in the museum from June to December 2020. Volunteering Applications are invited for candidates for volunteer driving for the 2019 season. The railway is looking to train one volunteer shunter and one volunteer diesel driver. Applicants for shunter must have two years’ experience as a guard on the railway (passed out in 2016 or earlier). Applicants for diesel driver must have five years’ experience as a guard on the railway (passed out in 2013 or earlier). A formal application process will be run. Application forms are available from the Secretary and set out the full list of eligibility and selection criteria. The deadline for applications is Monday 21st January 2019. The Society is working with the Company on updates to the rulebook, for likely issue at the start of the 2019 season. River Mite climbs up grade to Ravenglass with a Peppa Pig train on 6th October. Photo: Christopher Glover 24 25 Membership Matters Volunteering Update Sarah Bennett Danny Duckworth

Another membership year is drawing to a close (all annual memberships lapse As 2018 draws to a close I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the at the end of February 2019) and we are preparing to receive your renewals for volunteers who have given their time in 2018; it’s been a rather turbulent 12 the 2019 season. You will find your renewal form on the reverse of the address months with changes aplenty but, as always, volunteers have remained positive sheet with this Magazine and we would be grateful to receive your renewals and professional to ensure the railway runs as smoothly as possible. early so we can fill those dark winter evenings. Please note a small increase in 2018 has seen the introduction of the staff and volunteer Facebook group, the subscription rate this year and send your application to the correct person which has massively aided communication mostly between the controller (either Membership Secretary or Assistant Membership Secretary, for details see and volunteers. Whilst the group has had its teething problems, I believe it is a page 2). Please fill in cheques fully to avoid delay and only for bank accounts successful and now vital method of communication, especially at short notice, which are still active. Cheques will need to clear before membership cards are so; if you’re a member of staff or a volunteer and are not part of this group, I sent; email notifications will not be accepted for travel on the railway, when would strongly suggest joining! I do understand however that not everyone is applying online. Please ensure you have ID along with your membership card on Facebook and in 2019 I will be looking at more methods of communicating to obtain tickets for travel. Thank you for your support of the Society; if you’d with those not on social media. like to support us further by becoming actively involved, please get in touch! In the last Magazine issue you will have read Michael Hill’s article about being a Subscription rates from 1st October 2018 are as follows: Life: £380; Adult: £22; station master. I was overjoyed reading this, for someone to find such satisfaction Senior: £20; Junior (5-17): £11. in a newer volunteer role that I was pushing so hard really is excellent, and just shows that there is plenty to do at the railway; even if guarding is what you enjoy, there’s no harm in trying something new and gaining new experiences, as you may enjoy it just as much, or even more! Station master and ‘meet and greet’

River Esk crosses the Whillan Beck at Dalegarth with a train on 10th October. Douglas Ferreira on a short test train at Dalegarth in September. Photo: Chris Townend Photo: Graham Worsnop 26 27 really is an excellent opportunity for those who may want to slow down their It’s been a lot of fun... volunteer activity or those who find it hard to find gaps in the roster at short Di Chase notice, as it keeps your hand in and gives you another perspective of the railway. It’s very easy for me to put into writing what the role of a guard is or what a …And still is! volunteer is expected to do, but the truth is, no two days are the same. There Older members will probably remember that a stand-alone booklet called ‘It’s are many factors that influence how a volunteer will carry out their role on a been a lot of fun!’ was produced by John Taylor and the editorial team in 2000, day to day basis, so; if you’re put off volunteering because you think it sounds to mark the 40th anniversary of the R&ERPS. This booklet included a history of repetitive, or possibly boring, then I would challenge that and ask you to speak the Society, named the Officers of the Council over the years, and incorporated to a current volunteer, to understand the many different experiences they contributions from many key people, including the General Managers and the will inevitably have had. Volunteering at the railway is anything but boring! various drivers of River Mite – the only Society loco in those days – and personal Learning from others’ experiences is something that I believe can be very memories from many members, both old and young. It also included pairs of beneficial to the volunteering process which is why I am exploring the idea ‘then and now’ photographs which made very interesting viewing. of Mutual Improvement Classes for the coming season, to try and ensure no volunteer is left in a situation where they feel uncomfortable or undertrained/ A lot has happened in the intervening years, and the editorial team would like inexperienced. to produce a follow-up booklet (suggested names on a postcard, please!) to mark the 60th anniversary of the Society in 2020. Rather than starting from the The new volunteer e-newsletter ‘The Ratty World’ has gone down very well with beginnings of the Society, we will focus on the past 20 years, and summarise the readers, but I am still keen to increase its audience; the railway has approximately major changes – which are not insubstantial! – both in terms of the Society and 150 volunteers and many of these are reading the newsletter. The newsletter is a on the Railway, hopefully to include: the formation of the R&ERPS Trust; the very useful way for volunteers to keep up to date with the specific and relevant Society’s new locos (the diesel Douglas Ferreira and the steam locos Whillan goings on at the railway all year round. If you’re a volunteer and wish to sign Beck and Katie); the workshop fire and the new engineers’ workshop; the death up to the newsletter then just drop me an email. My belief is that all volunteers of several key individuals (Douglas Ferreira, Barbara Cowan, Graham Withers should be kept well in the loop and shouldn’t be returning to the railway after a and Dai Pickup, to name but a few); the new museum; the refurbishment of the few months away without any knowledge of changes. picnic area at The Green; and the various changes in staff on the Railway. There are many events that will require significant involvement in 2019 so This is an invitation to you all to contribute to this booklet. Please give us your please do keep an eye out to see if you can help. I will again do my best to attract suggestions, write down your memories, dig out those photographs you took, as many new volunteers as possible next year to build on what, I believe, has and send us your ideas! Please address everything c/o The R&ER Magazine been a successful 2018, with many new volunteers joining the railway family in (contact details on page 2). Even if we cannot include it all in the updated many different roles. booklet, your contributions will be very useful additions to the Ravenglass Every single volunteer, whether you help five days per year or 50, is an essential Railway Museum archive! cog in the machine that is the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway; without those vital cogs the machine wouldn’t work. Our volunteers are among the best in the country, their dedication and passion for the hobby is unrivaled and whilst we may be desperate to help in more ways and extend our skillset, we must be patient and continue to show our commitment. The Ratty is the best place to escape reality... Let’s be honest, life at the railway can be far from normal but that’s what makes it so amazing. I’m a university student and I am always desperate to get home and back to the railway as it is a place I feel welcome and can escape from deadlines and other responsibilities, volunteering really means a lot to people and we should never forget that. As usual, if you have been inspired by my intentional advertisement of volunteering at the best little railway in the world, then please contact me at This is a lot of fun, too! Northern Rock arrives at Irton Road while Whillan [email protected]. Beck and River Esk wait with an up train. Photo: Will Sands 28 29 Steam Tour ‘93 Worth Valley Railway, and visiting the National Railway Museum in York (to see Greg Naylor the original full-size K1) while we waited for the Garratt’s ship to arrive. It was indeed a memorable event, finally to open the container doors at the Barking container base and see the Garratt in as perfect and shiny condition as when we During its many years as a narrow gauge icon, the Ravenglass and Eskdale had closed the doors back on the other side of the world. Soon after that the loco Railway has of course regularly enjoyed many visitations from locomotives took its next low-loader road journey to Ravenglass, where I instantly knew this across the country and around the world. 2018 marks a quarter-century was going to be a wonderful adventure and, guaranteed, a successful programme. milestone of one such visit. It is also a personal milestone, celebrating my own introduction to the Ratty, back in 1993. This was when I had a career highlight I’ll never forget filming everyone who had gathered around to watch the Garratt as a television documentary maker, when Alister Matheson asked me to being pushed across the turntable and then down the platform road upon create a programme about taking his half-scale K1 Garratt from the Bush Mill its unloading. I can still hear the crackle of the first fire being lit outside the in Tasmania for a six-week tour of England. The result of that (easy) decision workshop. In beautiful autumn weather the little green Garratt had found its was a wonderful excursion around the country, running the Garratt at both the way on to a train and, despite being a design for high power at slow speeds, it Ravenglass and Romney railways, and from which stemmed my love of La’al quickly managed to fit into the normal timetable, albeit at speeds that made the Ratty and its delightful valleys. That documentary remains the most enjoyable exhaust beat become a continuous roar! In addition to the regular passenger and satisfying of my career, and enabled me with some pride to promote the trains, one highlight for us was to assemble a goods train with all the Heywood Railway internationally, with a ratings-winning programme. stock pressed into service for an after-hours historic trundle up the valley and back. For the rest of the time it was a popular attraction for all visitors to I already knew Alister and his railway well from a television programme I had the Railway, including a touring group of the Australian Railway Enthusists’ made there earlier (and from subsequent return visits to ‘cadge’ the occasional Association, who were delighted to find a locomotive from their home country drive of the engine up their steep and winding 15-inch track!). The filming of the on English rails. I think it is a tribute to the engineering skills of Lester Jones 1993 documentary began down at the Bush Mill, preparing the loco for its journey that the Garratt ran a faultless daily service throughout all its time at the Eskdale in our winter of that year. This work was carried out in the same location as where Railway and then for the same time again down at Romney. the locomotive was originally built. I think it is one of the most remarkable aspects of the story that Lester Jones had handbuilt the Garratt at the Mill, and he did so Much as I thoroughly enjoyed filming the Garratt mastering the journey up the without having had any formal engineering training. As much as the interest in line, filming the Railway itself in its picturesque location, combined with the the Garratt concept, and its history on Tasmanian mining railways, for me the delightful people that really make a railway, created some wonderful images, excellent engineering carried out by Lester is what I remember. It was a delight along with many indelible memories. The tangible spirit that flows throughout to drive, it did a superb job on the challenging Bush Mill tracks, and as such was a the R&ER played a very significant role in the success of my documentary. tribute to the tenacity and skills of both Alister and Lester. One of my favourite interview pieces was with Trevor Stockton, then track foreman, when he said “It’s just a friendly atmosphere, you get a good craic I was impressed with how relatively straightforward the transportation process all round, everybody was, as a result of the loco fitting neatly into a standard shipping container. The works together and we engine sat on a simple ‘track’ made from rectangular hollow section tubing with have a really good time”. lateral extension arms to keep it central. I even managed to put the camera down This to me still perfectly for a while when I had the pleasure of designing and building the triangulated encapsulates the R&ER frames that bolted to the track and the coupling mounts to hold down the loco and I followed in the safely. The run-around loop down at the ‘Fox and Hounds’ station was cut into programme script that and pulled around to facilitate running the engine into the container. In a short the infectious enthusiasm time the loaded container was heading up the highway on a low-loader, bound of Trevor was part of for the docks ahead of its long ocean voyage. the attraction for a A few weeks later, our little group of four from Down Under was also headed visit to Ravenglass. In a for Ol’ Blighty: Alister and Lester for the railway contingent, plus me and my broader sense, it is the assistant Charles Clancy for the filming contingent (along with 85kg of camera enthusiastic ability of equipment!). We spent the first week exploring London, riding the Keighley & all of you operating the The Garratt at Bush Mill, Tasmania. Railway to impart your Photo: Charles Dean 30 31 own enjoyment to the paying passengers that is vital to the Ratty’s success. Nowadays lightweight video cameras digitally recording on to little memory cards are a far cry from the shoulder aching monsters that I used back in 1993, With apologies to our current controllers, I’m afraid that I cannot see the signal that recorded on to videotapes as big as a decent-sized paperback book. Yet box at Ravenglass without also seeing and hearing Mr. Withers in there, and the when I replay that old programme today, in all the important measures, I see the segment we did with him was so pleasurable and so interesting, well beyond Ratty much the same as it is now, and I rate that as a very special achievement the fact that I love the lever frame in that box. There are just so many shots that for the railway. you could possibly need of pulling levers, and of course a television producer needs to know how to operate the frame in order to properly write about it! I To throw in my tuppence worth, I believe traditional entertainment will become think Graham swallowed that story anyway... more and more valuable as our world becomes increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven, and steam railways play a vital role in that achievement. The There were so many highlights and interesting memories from our time in the R&ER has some unique features to place it at the forefront of that special value. valley, such as George Staniforth taking the time to help me understand the The visiting public is presented with a real steam railway, yet with the added unusual nature of River Irt’s valve motion, learning the history of the line with quaintness of its small size, though still with grand looking steam engines being Peter van Zeller, the day we spent up at the Eskdale Mill, and several delightful operated in traditional style. To cap it off, they experience a railway running evenings at the Ratty Arms. From a railway perspective, the many hours of through the most spectacular scenery in the country, and all operated with a footage derived from all the Ravenglass trains made editing the programme friendly atmosphere that is priceless. An invaluable subconscious feeling is back home a highly pleasurable task. Of course I still have the ongoing pleasure instilled in the visitor from the aroma of coal burning, the hissing of steam, even of vicariously ‘living’ at Ravenglass by regular viewings of that 1993 programme. the humble guard’s whistle and the movement of the red signal arms. I don’t The departure day from the railway was equally brilliant weather as it had been think we can ever underestimate how all these things that we love about steam for its arrival. My final shot of the Garratt, on its last train, was from up on the old are creating a nostalgic connection with a slower paced earlier time that is so Ravenglass footbridge showing a crowded platform as the little green engine welcome amid today’s hectic lifestyles. pulled into the station in front of them. I cannot think of a better tribute to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway meeting There is one observation that I can make about the 25 years that have passed this demand for nostalgia than to see another steam locomotive being added to since I made that documentary, and for me it is a compliment to the true character the roster, so I believe Whillan Beck is a symbol of a very promising life through of La’al Ratty. For all the immense changes that have taken place in technology the next quarter of a century for the best railway in the world. It seems therefore throughout that time, no more so than in the television production arena, my fitting that seeing the new engine is a fair excuse to return from the antipodes original documentary remains a good representation of the Railway today. and celebrate my 25 years of knowing La’al Ratty!

Entering Gilbert’s Cutting on a journey up the line with a five-coach train in The filming is in full swing as the Garratt leaves Irton Road with a down train. tow. Photo: RRM Archive Photo: Charles Dean 32 33 Calling All Collectors The Film & Book Club David Mosley Reviews

Some while ago the Society was given a Ratty-related box of ‘ephemera’ from, Whillan Beck DVD of all places, the engine shed shop at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Graham Whistler Productions Railway. The items were categorised and eventually offered to the museum Review by David Moseley at Ravenglass where, thankfully, the majority of them are now safely housed. Produced over the spring and It was felt appropriate to see if an appreciative home could be found for the summer of 2018, this DVD is a record remainder. of the first few weeks of the Society’s There is no intention to hold an auction, just an expression of interest and a new steam engine in service. donation will do, contact details follow at the end of the piece. Wonderful Cumbrian weather shows What remains and is on offer is as follows: the railway looking its very best, with superb drone filming from Romney’s 1. Old style Ratty guidebooks; one first edition, one second, one third and three Chris Munn giving unrivalled views of fourth, all in good condition and just right to fill that hole in your collection. the trains in the landscape. Nicholas 2. An inevitable selection of postcards; colour and black and white, ‘historical’ Owen provides an authoritative and and showing the railway in the late 60s/early 70s (about 40 in all). professional commentary. 3. A box of Arthur Howarth, late Sales Officer, colour slides; 70s again and a Although mostly filmed this year small number of used tickets – when a return fare was 6 shillings! there is a long section rather oddly covering a trip up the line behind 4. River Mite ephemera; ‘Story of River Mite’ booklet, flyer for new locomotive Northern Rock, some of which was appeal, used stubs of raffle tickets for new locomotive funds. filmed in the summer of 2017. 5. ‘General’ ephemera; four black and white pictures (early 60s), two used Equally odd is the almost complete greeting cards, sheet (12) of centenary year ‘railway stamps’, first day cover absence of details of the acquisition Photo: Graham Whistler Productions RER 1969, three paper window stickers ‘R&ER running daily’, leaflet guide to and restoration of Whillan Beck itself. The only reference is a brief paragraph Muncaster Mill. on the back of the DVD case saying it was covered in a previous DVD. If any, some or all of the above items are of any interest to you please contact There is an all too brief section on the naming of Whillan Beck by Trevor me, David Mosley, at [email protected] or on 01629 733641 and we Stockton but none of the speeches has been included. will see what can be organised. Whilst this is a lovely snapshot of the engine in its new home, perhaps fleshing I look forward to hearing from you – otherwise, sadly, the skip awaits! out the fascinating history of the engine both in Spain and during its restoration and subsequent launch would have made this DVD an exceptional record.

Magazine Binders Binders for your R&ER Magazine collection remain available to purchase at a cost of £5.50 each or three for £15. P&P is £3 but collection from Ravenglass is free! In the absence of a Sales Officer, please contact the Editor (see page 2).

Front end detail on Whillan Beck. Photo: Peter Trimming 34 35 R&ER has often been at the forefront of technical innovation, and mindful of Correspondence advances being made in both rail and road traction, might there be a possibility of some form of hybrid/alternative traction being tried out? (I write as the satisfied user of a hybrid car!) Something like this could, if feasible, be a good From Mick Sasse, by e-mail: source of publicity for the Railway and burnish its environmental credentials – I learned recently that, after a protracted sojourn in what seemed to me to be and possibly even attract sponsorship from the commercial sector. the wilderness, Shelagh of Eskdale has now been transferred into the Ravenglass From Andrew Jackman, by e-mail: works and a strip-down begun. In warmly applauding this, I’d like to highlight the historic importance of this unique locomotive – in the context of a hope that The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway has been fortunate throughout its life as a our Railway retains a balanced approach to traction and, perhaps, resists calls to 15-inch gauge railway to benefit from the pioneering work of Heywood and expand its steam fleet still further. Bassett-Lowke in the use of what was then modern motive power, in the form of both steam and diesel traction. The railway now has the opportunity to build on Shelagh has not only been a regular feature and stalwart performer on the that pioneering work through moving our traction needs into the 21st century. R&ER for almost five decades: her construction built – literally – on some of our earliest history as a 15-inch gauge main line, incorporating components from Shelagh of Eskdale exemplifies this pioneering spirit in that its chassis both Heywood’s Ella and ICL No.2. As such, she has as much claim to historical incorporates the crank webs and centre sliding axle of the former ICL No.2 prominence as any Ratty loco – and arguably more than some! and Heywood loco Ella. The railway is planning to rebuild Shelagh over the coming years – could it not be rebuilt as a battery-powered electric engine? The The R&ER has never in my lifetime (I both took my first steps and spoke my engine compartment is big enough for a large battery pack of modern batteries. first words in Elmira or Maid of Kent – I forget which!) been ‘just another steam Typically the diesel does three runs a day with, say, up to six hours’ running railway’, and I hope it never will be: it should be about historic heritage (but time. The first run in the morning would be after an overnight full charge, then not inauthentic nostalgia). Even aside from the realities of history, the idea that the two later runs could be after top up charges, and additional energy could be ‘heritage equals steam’ from a public point of view is clearly outdated – as a look generated on the downhill sections on the railway. over the fence at Ravenglass will confirm. It seems odd even to need to say this in 2018, but diesel heritage is a big thing. Is the railway going to be forward thinking in doing this, or backward in just continuing to preserve the existing? But, more than this, the R&ER has always been at the forefront of showing what is possible on 15 inches – from the line’s initial gauge-conversion through its handling of heavy mineral traffic and the pioneering adoption of radio-based train control, to its early adoption of disabled access. In that spirit, while I know little about the loco’s present mechanical condition and what renewals might be required, if a significant mechanical rebuild is on the agenda, one thing I have wondered (as a non-engineer) is whether there might be scope to consider Historic importance on show: Royal Anchor pilots HM The Queen travelled on the Royal Train hauled by Shelagh of Eskdale at non-traditional Shelagh of Eskdale into Ravenglass – the pair looking the 1984 Liverpool Garden Festival – if not a bank of batteries, perhaps we forms of traction/ superb in matching blue liveries. Photo: RRM Archive should fit a crown… Photo: RRM Archive transmission... The 36 37 Ravenglass Railway Museum Accreditation Accolade Bob Tebb & David Rounce The museum is delighted to announce that it has been awarded full accreditation by Arts Council England. “Money well spent! Thank you, Lottery players!” The accreditation scheme sets nationally agreed standards for UK museums A quite humbling comment for those of us deeply involved in its coming to which cover every aspect of operation from visitor services to volunteer fruition, in the Ratty Museum’s Visitors’ Comments book on 15th August – for it management, forward and emergency planning and collections care. By had just been written by Sir Peter Luff, Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund becoming fully-accredited, Ravenglass Railway Museum officially meets the (HLF) and of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, whose HLF organisation same standards as the British Museum and V&A, together with hundreds of had provided some £0.5million towards its creation; this HLF funding had been other museums across the UK. supported by other organisations, including of course the Preservation Society Sarah Maxfield, Area Director, Arts Council England said; “Museums play – so well done everyone! an important part in our local and national heritage, and so it’s good to see Just over a year after its formal opening to the public on 24th June 2017, we were Ravenglass Railway Museum’s accredited status. Reaching the national standard delighted to receive an official, though hardly formal, visit to the RRM that day of Museums Accreditation shows it has appropriate governance in place, its by several representatives of the HLF, both locally and nationally. The museum collections are well managed and are accessible to the public. It is a significant itself was well represented by regular workers who were pleased to show the achievement and one the team at the museum should be very proud of.” result of that investment to our visitors. A short background presentation by Becoming an accredited museum is a long process which, for us, culminated in David Rounce and Peter van Zeller was followed by a thorough tour of the a review visit by an Arts Council accreditation officer on Monday 20th August, museum, guided by volunteers and staff, where its Ratty storyline continuity assessing everything from the welcome museum visitors receive to how the and presentation made quite an impression on our guests. collections are cared for. The benefits for the museum of reaching this national This was followed by a visit to the museum ‘outpost’ of the Furness Railway standard include greater access to funding opportunities and partnership working signal box, after which Sir Peter Luff and others (including Tiffany Hunt, Chair with other institutions and, of course, a shiny certificate to hang in the entrance. of the HLF North West Committee, who had helped formally open the museum the previous year) were invited to try their hand at driving Katie. A most successful and satisfying day for all.

Peter van Zeller plays host to delegates from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Katie is put through her paces by Peter van Zeller and HLF Chairman Sir Peter Photo: Charles Rounce Luff. Photo: Charles Rounce 38 39 Forty Years Ago Looking back, it is now almost 13 years since Ravenglass was deprived of its John Taylor regular long-distance trains, the last “main line” timetabled trains were whistled away on 16th April 1966, on which day Ravenglass had departures for London Euston (complete with buffet car), and Manchester. Northbound there were Edited highlights of previous editions of the Society’s Newsletters/Magazines: through trains from London to Whitehaven, the 0802 conveying sleeping cars. Issue No.72: dated Winter 1978/79 From 1966 on, diesel multiple units became the familiar sight north of Barrow. Journey times in recent years however, have been reduced thanks to the The cover picture showed Northern Rock minus nameplate receiving admiring progressive electrification of the London-Glasgow main line and this has made glances as it steams towards the turntable vacated by River Esk. it possible for day excursions to be contemplated over much longer distances, News from Ravenglass and very appropriately the first ever day excursion from Euston to Ravenglass was sponsored by the Railway Company on 18th April 1970. Of course, not all The 1978 season saw the Railway operating virtually to capacity during the busiest charter or excursion trains since, have been run exclusively to the Ratty; many six weeks, with over 302,000 passenger journeys made and over 5,000 journeys on have been run in conjunction with other attractions. Nevertheless, in 1978 there certain days. The busiest times are midday and early afternoon trains, especially were 33 main line arrivals at Ravenglass and it is fair to assume our business on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the BR steam excursions are at Ravenglass. from BR increased quite substantially for the first time in many a year. The new super-loos at Ravenglass are at last being built. These replace the old Some Facts and Figures ones and almost fill the space between the bungalow outhouse and the tea bar. The two storey building with storage or offices above is nearing first-floor Passenger journeys have increased by 12.5%. level. Although the exterior of the tea bar remains the same, the interior has Muncaster Mill was visited by 13,300 people, plus 28 school parties. been transformed. Countless thousands of cups of tea have been served since a serving hatch was knocked through into the old shelter in 1961. 18,321 pounds of flour were milled and sold this year. The enormous task of tarmacing the car park at Ravenglass cannot be considered The Railway Museum was visited by 23,621 people. at present, but ten loads of gravel have been spread over the surface so far; this Station Name Changes should reduce the number of puddles and also the dust problem in the summer. During busy periods appreciable delays have been caused at Ravenglass Although the firebox ofRiver Esk has been giving cause for concern, maintenance Booking Office whilst it has been explained that “Eskdale” was not the end of the of the loco is up to schedule. On the diesel front however, problems have been line. Many passengers, having booked to “Eskdale Green” under the impression many, and on too many occasions the only unit able to move has been Quarryman, that it was the terminus, have remained on the train and travelled to Dalegarth the old faithful. Perkins has received a replacement engine twice; Shelagh has without paying the excess. Neither the timetables nor the display board by the been stripped for some time and the rebuilt shaft for the hydraulic pump is only Booking Office window have had any effect, so the delays have continued and now ready; Silver Jubilee’s complicated pneumatic/hydraulic system still does not the Railway has been losing revenue. The stations involved are therefore having work correctly and a much simpler system is about to be tried. their names changed as follows: The increased traffic this year shows up well in the increased total of locomotive Eskdale Green becomes “The Green” mileages – an increase of 190 additional trips over last year. The diesel share fell as there were all four steam locos in service from mid-July to September, also Dalegarth becomes “Eskdale (Dalegarth)” the diesels have all had lengthy spells off duty for various reasons. River Esk put Some do of course regret the change, but the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in the highest mileage this year, beating its own record of 1975. does now run from Ravenglass to Eskdale. Amongst ourselves Dalegarth will no On the main line doubt remain Dalegarth – but at least we will no longer have people asking for “Dallygarth”. One of the more pleasing features in recent times has been the appreciable increase in the numbers of passengers arriving at Ravenglass by British Rail, And finally: more especially by charter and excursion trains. 1978 undoubtedly witnessed A would-be traveller was told that the evening train went up the line at 4.40pm, the pièce de resistance of it all with the arrival British Rail’s sponsored Cumbrian the next one back from Dalegarth being at 7.45am the next morning. “What on Coast Express from Blackpool on 6th June. earth do the passengers do in the meantime” was the surprising response! 40 41 From the Archives XXIII Ratty Diary 2018-2019 David Rounce E&OE. Please check dates and details nearer the time before travelling

While the First World War was shuffling to a bloody close in September 1918, Mary Fair photographed Sans Pareil with one of the final services to the Boot DATE EVENT CONTACT terminus. Looking rather poorly, the toll the reborn Ratty exacted on the flimsy DECEMBER scale locomotives is readily apparent, especially given that Sans Pareil had only been on the railway for three years at this point. It could perhaps be argued that 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, † Santa Express Ravenglass th th nd the lack of running boards lends something of a pleasing American air to the 15 , 16 , 22 , rd locomotive! 23 Saturday 8th Council Meeting, Ravenglass Secretary

JANUARY 2019

Saturday 12th - Track Week Ravenglass Sunday 20th

Thursday 17th Press deadline, March issue Editor

FEBRUARY

Saturday 16th - February half-term, followed by weekend Ravenglass Sunday 24th running

MARCH

Saturday 9th Council Meeting, Ravenglass Secretary

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

And finally... No running boards and its tender carried on a flat wagon – nevertheless Sans The R&ER Magazine draws your attention to its statement of copyright, which can Pareil continues to work in 1918. Photo: RRM Archive/Mary Fair Collection be seen at the foot of this page. Unless you are the author of an article, photo, etc., you should not reproduce any content in whole or in part without permission. The Editor welcomes interest in our news from other publications and will be happy to answer any queries or make clarifications in the interests of accurate reporting.

Back Cover: An oystercatcher nests in the top of a post on Barrow Marsh. What will you see on your next visit? Photo: Dick Smith

© 2018 Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society. The R&ER Magazine is published by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society Ltd. 2018. 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