The R&ER Magazine Number 232 March 2019

The Journal of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society The R&ER Magazine No.232 Editorial March 2019 Keith Herbert

In 1894 was built the third (and largest) of pioneer Sir Arthur Heywood’s six Published quarterly by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway 15in gauge steam locomotives – the 0-8-0 tank engine Muriel. His Duffield Bank Preservation Society Limited Railway sported gradients as sheer as 1 in 10, curves as tight as 25ft radius and Member of the Heritage Railway Association a trestle viaduct some 89ft long, and employed all the family’s children in its Editorial Team: Keith Herbert, Di Chase, Bill Seddon, Opinions expressed by contributors and operation. These included Muriel Heywood, one of seven daughters. Could she Mark Harrington, John Taylor in editorial comment do not necessarily have believed that the engine named in her honour would still be at work 125 Editorial Designer: Julie Hutchinson reflect the collective views of the Society. years after its construction? Or that she and her sisters were pioneers in their The R&ER Magazine is always pleased to receive own right, foretelling the involvement of women in the operation of railways in PRESS DEADLINE: Material for inclusion correspondence, photographs and articles for possible the decades to come, perhaps most notably in wartime. inclusion. Most nowadays arrive via our e-mail address, in the next issue of the Magazine must but postal contributions remain welcome. Please reach the editors not later than Over 125 years Muriel has been transformed from estate railway demonstrator, include a name and contact address with any prints. Thursday 18th April at noon. through stone train workhorse, to being recognised as the oldest working Scanning facilities are available. Please send material earlier if possible. steam locomotive of its size in the world under the name River Irt. Its milestone Society website: http://www.rerps.co.uk birthday will be celebrated at a gala event at Ravenglass over the bank holiday weekend of 4th–6th May. The Bug, the engine which helped to build the Romney, Council Chairman: Simon Thompson, ‘Hilltop’, Fen Road, Pidley, Huntingdon, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, is expected to be in attendance. Some more Cambridgeshire PE28 3DD. Email: [email protected] information is available on page 26. Hon. Secretary: Mungo Stacy, 34 Mayfield Road, Manchester M16 8EU. Email: [email protected] Meanwhile, 125 years since the days of the Heywood daughters working on the Duffield Bank system, the role of women in the preservation and operation of Hon. Financial Secretary: David Lees, 31 Water Street, Ribchester, Preston, Lancashire PR3 3YJ. heritage steam is also being celebrated. In June, women who work with steam Email: [email protected] engines – stationary, railway or road – will be showcasing their skills in a bid to Hon. Membership Secretary (enquiries, life membership, Nos. 1000-1999 and 2900 onwards) : encourage others to take it up. Sadly this event will not be at Ravenglass, but at Sarah Bennett, 2 Stanley Villas, Drigg Road, Seascale CA20 1NW. Email: [email protected] the Perrygrove Railway in the Forest of Dean, but it will be worth supporting if Assistant Membership Secretary (Nos. 2000-2899): Jim Wilcock, ‘Porthlow’, Neston Road, Ness, anyone can make it. Search for ‘Women Teaching Women’ on Facebook to find Neston CH64 4AZ. Email: [email protected] out more. Sales Officer: Kathryn Brissenden. Email: [email protected] In other news, a year after the Train From Spain’s restoration was completed Magazine Distributor: Cumbria Mailing Services Ltd. Penrith CA11 9FQ. at Bouth, another favourite Ratty loco has arrived there for overhaul. Bonnie Heywood House Bookings: Mary Harding. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 01229 717080. Dundee, since 2016 on loan to the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, was Volunteers: Peter Mills & Danny Duckworth. Email: [email protected] being overhauled in the Midlands, but has now arrived back in Cumbria for that overhaul to be advanced. Though the CCLR campaigned in these pages Operations Manager: Martin Cookman, R&ER Co. Ltd. Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SW. Tel: 01229 717171. for money to help fund the works, that fundraising appeal has now been discontinued. John Kerr, a director of the CCLR, provides us with an update on Editor: Keith Herbert, 7 Dalegarth Cottages, Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria CA19 1TF. the project to restore this locomotive on page 30. Email: [email protected] We are similarly buoyed by the arrival of a new nostalgist in residence, Sid Edwards, who regales us with stories of yesteryear in a new feature, Memory PLEASE HELP US KEEP Lane. My own earliest memory of the Ratty is the chance of a cabride with Sid on SYNOLDA STEAMING Search for ‘Synolda’ Perkins, at a Teddy Bear’s Picnic event the best part of 30 years ago. It’s funny Thankyou! justgiving.com what you remember, as his stories attest! 125 years from now, hopefully people will remember the efforts of some of us to enable the stories to keep on being Front Cover: River Esk in the year of its comeback in 2018. Photo: David Mart created. Good luck to everyone in 2019. 2 3 News from Ravenglass Again recognition for all the event planning and delivery that went into the Martin Cookman ghost trains, it really is a team event and we couldn’t do it without you. On TV The Great Model Railway Challenge was shown on Channel 5 and featured the La’al Ratty; it’s worth looking up. As I sit reflecting on the past operating season, much has been achieved and there are many success stories which have either been previously documented November featured the relaying of Miteside loop and the abundance of help or you will catch up on as you read through this edition of the Magazine. I can’t which we are very grateful for, followed by the Santa train season. We have remember a 12-month period in my time with the Company, or as a volunteer, enjoyed another successful Santa event with plenty of positive feedback from where so many things have been reviewed, updated, changed or adjusted. In our customers. All departments deliver a combined effort to make this the the modern world we all need to be aware of the need for change and keeping enjoyable event that it is. I think the word ‘traditional’ sums it up nicely. Thanks a profitable business financially viable. It is with great thanks that I commend to all. all the staff and volunteers in embracing the 2018 season and rising to the I’m sure many staff and volunteers will feel a great sense of loss as we say a challenges it brought. The work all of you have done is worth due recognition fond farewell to Janet Dickinson, as she moves on at the end of February to and is very much appreciated. adventures new. Janet has spent most of her life in and around the railway, As the season was coming to an end some of you will be aware that our General with 20 or so years running her own business from the old tea bar building, in Manager Peter Brendling left our employment to move on to new opportunities. generous support of the railway. Then in the last eight years, she has led her We wish Peter and his family all the very best for the future. team to grow the new, as it was then, Turntable Café to the success it is today. Even though this is more of a ‘see you later’, rather than a ‘goodbye’, many will Going forward, the Railway Company has removed the General Manager role feel that this is the end of an era. I’m sure you’d all like to join me in wishing from its structure and is in the process of creating two new posts: Janet all the best and success with her future. Railway Operations Manager: I will continue with my current duties and now Looking forward, I wish you all an enjoyable, exciting and rewarding 2019 season. take overall charge of all operational areas of the railway. In this role, I report directly to David Little, CEO. Railway Commercial Manager: this new role will be responsible for all commercial aspects of the railway including ticketing, visitor services, catering and retail. The post holder will also report directly to the CEO. For the interim period I will be overseeing all areas of the railway as a temporary arrangement. Since September the railway has enjoyed a varied array of events and activities, starting with a visit from BBC Radio Cumbria. The programme featured interviews with various members of staff and volunteers, plus our own Peter Mills having a go at the Big Quiz against Peter Frost-Pennington from Muncaster Castle. We also had a Macmillan coffee morning, held in our Turntable Café, which was well received, and a big thanks to all who organised it, plus those who gave generously. The railway featured in the magazine Narrow Gauge World, then in the same month the Arts Council awarded our museum accredited status. A very successful September I feel. October brought the challenges of running the railway at what is generally thought of as the hardest time of year for operations. A successful Peppa Pig Janet (fourth left) with some of her café staff, namely Chloe, Melissa, Bethany, event to start with, followed by the school half-term and Hallowe’en trains. Claire, Mandy, Linda and Alison, at the planting of a tree in memory of Caitlin Huddleston in 2018. Photo: Simon Thompson 4 5 Operations & Engineering Shelagh of Eskdale. The 1969-built diesel has been stripped and inspected. Martin Cookman Initial plans are being drawn up by Stuart Marsh and project costings are being worked on by me and Alex Sharphouse. Workshop We have had new axles produced, and are now just waiting for some test wheels to be cast at the foundry. Machining costings and a product route is yet to be The workshop building itself has been having an internal change around to confirmed but we are looking at the wheels being sent from the foundry to create a dedicated machine shop for the lathes and drills. Firm of electricians Complete Engineering, who will machine the wheel axle boss and wheels to the Bainbridge has been commissioned to rewire the machines and improve the correct profile. As Complete is producing the axles, that will then give us a kit general lighting. As part of creating the machine shop we have also taken the of parts for John Fowler Engineering to assemble (one axle and two wheels per opportunity to create a safe viewing area for both friends of the railway and kit). Our product will be more robust, contain more metal for a longer life and customers alike. From the viewing area you will be able to see the machine come with certification for both the axles and wheels. work being undertaken and also the main three lines into the workshop. You will have a good view of the two main inspection pits and also, yet to be built, Departmental Finances a waist-high bench which will be strong enough to support a locomotive whilst I have changed gas suppliers from Dixons to BOC; BOC deliver and collect having its underframe components and motion worked on. This stand will be whereas with Dixons we had to drive to Carlisle to change bottles. This change on a slight angle and just to the left as you walk into the workshop through makes a financial saving and is more convenient. the main doors. It will be a unique feature, giving visitors to the railway an opportunity to see locomotive works at close hand and discuss the engineering We have cancelled our contract with Safety Clean for a de-rusting tank and parts components of a steam loco with our engineers. We look forward to seeing you washer. We will be having just a parts washer from another supplier in 2019. when you’re visiting. This change will see a considerable saving per year. Locomotives and Coaches I undertook a free 30-day trial of a cloud-based software system called Carvue (www.carvue.com), which is designed for the use of small garages. I have loaded The wheelchair access coach Number 138 has been finished, tested and all our workshop, staff, parts and rolling stock details into it (81 items in all). I commissioned into traffic. This coach project has been worked on throughout am very positive this will be a great asset for the railway. After a successful free the season in between other works and has been very much driven forward by trial period, I have taken out an annual subscription at a very reasonable price. the volunteers who helped with the rebuilding of River Esk. As you can see we are going from strength to strength; this coming year will be The new prototype observation coach, which has been built by the team just as exciting and yet more productive. I would like to end by thanking those on at Boston Lodge at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways (F&WHR) has the team and invite anyone interested in joining to approach me. Many thanks. been delivered to Ravenglass, and now starts the testing and safety verification process. The coach is stunning and I’m sure will be well documented in the Magazine in future. Diesel locomotive Douglas Ferreira, complete from major overhaul by Forth Engineering, has worked well in passenger traffic use over the winter period. Wintertime loco repairs had been put on hold whilst we sorted out the workshop; with that well underway loco work started on 8th January, as follows: River Irt. This locomotive will be stripped for an overhaul of the rolling chassis, and will receive a new rear truck. Synolda. The boiler will be removed for its 10-yearly out-of-frame inspection. All the other steam locomotives will undergo annual boiler certification.

Perkins. Diesel loco Perkins will soon return from John Fowler Engineering, In May 2018 Whillan Beck and Northern Rock double-head past Fisherground Bouth, for testing and a return to traffic on winter works trains. crossing. Photo: Sam Dixon 6 7 Permanent Way Notes We were helped this year by a group of students from West Lakes College in David Moseley Workington on a work experience placement. Our thanks to them and their organiser Phil Graham – we hope to see them again at future Track Weeks. The first of this winter’s Track Weeks was our most successful November week With their numbers and the above average turnout of volunteers we totalled ever in terms of volunteer numbers. The project this year was the relaying of 133 man-days for the week itself. This excludes the weeks before and also the Miteside up and down loops, along with extensive drainage and earthworks. numbers of staff and volunteers working on replacing a long length of fence between Tom’s Crossing and Walk Mill dip. Starting immediately after the cessation of trains on 1st November, we had lifted the down loop by the end of the first day and both loops were lifted by the The fencing gang, having completed the fence in that location, then turned their end of the third day, with the track bed levelled and the old ballast re-used in attention to replacing another long length of fence between Gilbert’s Cutting several different locations. These include Rock Point where we shall be doing and Spout House. some realigning before services recommence in the spring. The inside of the Thanks must also go to John Wilson and his colleagues for their help and skills curve below Miteside loop (towards the halt) was also built up ready for Track in completing one of our muddiest projects. The site has now dried out but it Week in November 2019 when we hope to relay from the loop back towards was a little damp – certainly at the start of the week. Ravenglass on a new, smoother alignment. A special thank you to Janet Dickinson for feeding us at lunchtime through the John Wilson with his digger made short work of the track bed clearance and then week and also for the Saturday evening meal (thanks also to the Preservation turned his attention to improving the drainage by replacing three troublesome Society for funding it). This very sadly will be the last Track Week that Janet will cross-track drains with a new channel on the south side of the loop, linking to be catering for us, as she leaves the railway at the end of February 2019. We a large culvert at the west end. As part of these works the raised bank, which know we will see her around but it is the end of another chapter in the ever- was tight to the down loop, has been removed and the spoil used to build up evolving history of the railway. We wish Janet well and know that she will be the land on the north side of the up loop. The whole site has been levelled and missed enormously by not only the staff and track gang but also the number of generally tidied and now gives a much more open feel. Visibility for the points regular visitors that still regard the café at Ravenglass as ‘Janet’s Café’. has been dramatically improved, particularly for up trains. Guards should notice the improvement in ground conditions should they have to alight at the loop. Thanks to Tony Kuivala for the talk on Threlkeld Quarry on the Saturday evening. Unusually for us we re-used all the rails. New ex-Network Rail sleepers, cut in With Santa season in full swing the much depleted track gang replaced several half and fitted with Pandrol plates, were used. These sleepers – at 1.2m long – sleepers in the carriage are longer than our usual sleepers (they are the same length as our 2ft gauge shed with good railway friends use) but as space wasn’t an issue we didn’t bother cutting them sleepers salvaged from to our ‘standard’ sleeper length. previous relays. The drains running under We had completed all the packing by Friday, leaving just ballasting to make the the relaid headshunt track complete. Once that was done we cleared the site and took the surplus were also rodded sleepers on to the next locations for relaying. through to get the Back in 2017 we purchased some rails from the Eastriggs MoD site, when that water flowing as it site had closed and the track had been lifted. These had been stored on the end should – in an ideal of the engine shed headshunt at Ravenglass since purchase and we took the world these should opportunity, with a large gang, to move them up to Dalegarth where they were all have been dug to be re-used in the relay in January 2019. With the rails cleared we were then up and replaced to able to relay the headshunt, using the sleepers drilled back in October. This job correct the anomalies was completed by the end of the week after Track Week. in the fall, but we sadly didn’t have the time The usual roll call of thanks must go to all the people who helped in the run up or money so they will The Lakes College gang assist with reinstating the to Track Week, including the gang from the MLG who put out the sleepers in th have to suffice for track at Miteside loop on 8 November. September. now. Photo: Christopher Glover 8 9 The line has also been inspected and minor works carried out as necessary. Traffic News Several trees have been felled after winter storms caused them to lean and Peter van Zeller threaten the line. Our proactive approach to keeping the lineside clear of potential risk from tree damage has paid dividends over recent years but even The last days of the daily running service in October saw various combinations we couldn’t have foreseen a neighbour’s tree coming down (at Long Yocking of steam locos in service, apart from River Irt which was mothballed from Cottage) and blocking the line during the Santa season. Fortunately without September awaiting the opportunity for the workshop to start the projected damage to train or occupants, the resultant blockage necessitated Alaister bottom end overhaul. Douglas Ferreira has returned to working most of the Graham and Phil Brown being dispatched with chainsaws to clear a passage diesel passenger workings, day in day out without further issues, and Lady so the train could eventually continue to meet the man in the red suit. This Wakefield made an occasional foray moving materials for the impending track happened in some of the worst weather conditions imaginable. relaying. To counter poor rail conditions in the shadow of Muncaster Fell, where the sun doesn’t shine in winter, heavily loaded and strengthened trains for the After the last trains of the 2018 season ran, the track gang made a start on their local schools’ half-term, the 10.25 and 11.25 departures from 15th-19th October next project. The track outside Dalegarth Cottages has always been problematic were double-headed to Irton Road with a steam loco that then worked the 12.45 and difficult to maintain. A curious alignment and poor joints along with turn, usually scheduled for a diesel. On 28th and 29th October Northern Rock also inadequate ballast all contributed to the track tending to wander and ‘kink out’ took the evening special Hallowe’en trains, while Douglas worked the ghoulish in extremes of heat. Laid on some of the last sections of track laid on Murthwaite support crews to Fisherground loop. dust (Miteside loop was another section of track on this material) the drainage was not conducive to getting the water away. The rails were also poor having Lady Wakefield and Cyril then worked trains each side of the track severance been re-used from other locations. for relaying at Miteside loop in November, after which Cyril remained in the top sections with a short train for a fencing gang, stabled overnight in Irton New (to us) rail will be used to replace the poor rail, and the ex-Network Rail Road shed. On 23rd November locos were steamed for a trip out for the handing sleepers from the batch used at Miteside, fitted with Pandrol plates, will be used. back of the permanent way possession at Miteside, while Northern Rock was in These heavy sleepers should help to keep the track in place. the paint shop until 29th November. Santa Trains ran from 24th November with Whilst in the area the roadway alongside the track, where cars park for the a variety of steam locos in service, again apart from River Irt. On 1st December cottages, will be reinforced to prevent the road collapsing on to the track. Minor River Mite, decorated with ribbons and headboard, took an additional special realignment will give a little more room for trains and vehicles in future. wedding train to thread among the already tightly choreographed workings of the diesel passenger service, the Santa train and Santa’s sleigh. There are several other track jobs to Northern Rock itself had minor workshop attention following adventures on attend to before 8th December when gusts of Storm Deirdre split an unsuspectedly rotten tree trains recommence in the garden at Long Yocking Cottage that disrupted the final Santa train of and we do hope that day. The new LED steam loco headlights picked out the obstruction of the as many people line from its branches, although the train was by then running in the gathering as possible will be gloom. Lady Wakefield and River Mite were sent to assist, while an impromptu able to join us. Just chainsaw gang travelled up by road. Lady Wakefield drew the stock back to Irton a couple of extra Road and then took the train on when the track was cleared. The passengers, people each day nobly entertained throughout by Santa and his trusty elf, cheerfully stuck it out; makes a dramatic the final scenes of the departing sleigh at Ravenglass were duly played out in difference to what driving rain to their programmed conclusion, only 100 minutes late! the gang can achieve Everything else ran without incident until the end of the year, when River Mite and all help is most had also had its boiler drained and firebars removed leaving three serviceable By 15th November both lines have been relaid and welcome. steam locos to cover one turn daily between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. the nearside (down) road has been hammer-packed. Thank you for your On 29th December River Esk replaced Whillan Beck after a big end bearing Packing the up road and ballasting throughout support. squealed. The next day Esk’s steam air compressor was troublesome, and the continues. Photo: Christopher Glover 10 11 second steam run of the following afternoon was taken by Northern Rock Locomotive Mileages which had been fired up as the spare loco.Rock then suffered a leaking air hose Keith Herbert from its tender compressor, duly repaired for an uneventful finale of services! After the Christmas/New Year services, with the track now broken at Dalegarth Mileages to 31st December 2018 were as follows: Cottages, Lady Wakefield handled all the movements of staff and ballast required Steam 2017 2018 +/- while Cyril reverted to being Ravenglass top yard shunter. In the engineers’ River Irt 7,731½ 1,526 -6,205½ yard, coaches have been progressively lifted on to accommodation bogies four River Esk 0 2,518¾ +2,518¾ at a time, for their own bogies to be refurbished with wheels turned to the new River Mite 6,510 4,443½ -2,066½ profile, new springs and guidepins. Numbers 128, 129 and 113 have had the Northern Rock 5,693 7,649 +1,956 wooden end floors replaced with steel chequer plate before going into the Whillan Beck 126 6,460 +6,334 paintshop. Wroxham Broad 756 0 -756 The new observation car arrived from the Ffestiniog Railway on 2nd January Synolda 93½ 14 -79½ and was trialled around Ravenglass station for clearances before its first run Count Louis 118 28 -90 to Fisherground behind Douglas Ferreira on 10th January, enabling practical Katie 0 56 +56 confirmation of its designed kinetic envelope – the space it actually occupies as Sub-total 21,028 22,695½ +1,667¼ it moves – for the prototype saloon coach then being framed up in Boston Lodge Diesel Works. The pristine vehicle is now having the boxes ticked on its acceptance Douglas Ferreira 9,481½ 1,182 -8,229½ paper trail before entering full passenger service. On 15th and 16th January it had Lady Wakefield 4,164 10,233½ +6,069½ demonstration runs for the Company Directors and the coach project team with Perkins 0 0 N/A Ffestiniog Railway representatives, while details of future seating and internal Shelagh of Eskdale 0 0 N/A materials were confirmed for the next two new saloons. Cyril 136½ 170¼ +33¾ Les 0 0 N/A Across the fence the main line down platform is being given a new shelter Quarryman 4 0 -4 while passenger services in the New Year are now all worked by multiple Sub-total 13,786 11,585¾ -2,200¼ units. The curtailed Northern Rail loco-hauled services still ran Mondays to Total 34,814 34,281 -533 Fridays until 28th December; Direct Rail Services 37425 went north and 37558 Avro Vulcan XH558 took the final southbound, working push/pull with their Driving Van Trailers. On 11th January ‘Class 37 Farewell – The Cumbrian Coast Express’, passed through non- stop. 37409 Lord Hinton (immaculately repainted) and 37425 topped-and- tailed this special charity fundraising run with DRS passenger stock from On 26th October our 2-8-2s are reunited, as Carlisle to Carnforth and By the end of 2018 Lady Wakefield, here backing on to a train, had been River Esk pilots River Mite over Walk Mill return. available on an exceptional 97% of passenger operating days. Summit. Photo: Christopher Glover Photo: Dick Smith 12 13 Whillan Beck - the Train From Spain on 1st March 2016, using a diesel to push the chassis. A few weeks later on 17th Mungo Stacy March, the chassis was pushed to Dalegarth to confirm there were no clashes. A written scope for the Phase 1 work was provided to Old Hall Engineering on 13th April. As described in the last Magazine, the acquisition of Krauss 8457 progressed swiftly from the initial viewing in October 2015, to the decision to proceed at the The railway operates under the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems Extraordinary General Meeting in December 2015, and the arrival in Cumbria in (Safety) Regulations 2006, known for short as ROGS. These regulations apply February 2016. to heritage railways as well as main line railways, and implement the European Railway Safety Directive. Under the regulations, non-main line operators are The project team now needed to inspect the locomotive in detail and understand responsible for ensuring that they have procedures in place to introduce new exactly what works needed to be undertaken. It was planned to carry out work or altered vehicles or infrastructure safely. in a series of phases. Phase 1 would be initial works to get the locomotive moving under its own steam. Initial trials would then be carried out to see how Advice was sought from the railway’s safety advisors, Green Dragon Rail, about the locomotive performed. There would still be some significant unknowns at how the regulations applied to the new steam locomotive project. It was agreed this stage, given that the locomotive had not turned a wheel in nearly 90 years in discussions that the locomotive did not constitute a ‘new or novel’ vehicle and had had major refurbishment work carried out in Spain. Following this, since the railway already operates steam locomotives with similar characteristics. Phase 2 of the engineering works would be undertaken with a confirmed list of Therefore, upon the advice of Green Dragon Rail, in March 2016 Ron Whalley works to bring the locomotive into operational state. Further testing would then was appointed as a Suitably Qualified and Experienced Person to act as a be carried out to accept the locomotive into service. reviewer of the processes used and to provide guidance where appropriate. A priority was to arrange for the boiler inspector to visit, since the boiler Green Dragon Rail produced a framework for a technical file which would inspector has absolute say over safety of the pressure vessel. The boiler was be completed as the project progressed. The technical file would ultimately lifted from the chassis on 22nd February 2016. However, there was a frustrating describe the ‘as delivered’ condition of the locomotive, the key interfaces the wait for availability of the inspector. An initial visit was held a month later on locomotive shares with the railway, the work carried out and the testing and 22nd March, but it was only after the non-destructive testing was completed on maintenance requirements of the locomotive. 11th May that the scope of works was confirmed. An initial meeting was held with Ron Whalley to discuss the requirements for The inspector’s report confirmed the initial thoughts from the visit to Mataró: the technical file on th5 May 2016. The importance of the wheel-rail interface the boiler was generally in excellent condition. Building-up was required to was identified and trials were held with Ron on 24th May, using a special ‘GoPro’ some pitting where water had stood over time. In addition, and as known from camera to view the passage of the wheels over the track. The ‘GoPro’ camera the Spanish visit, the boiler was not originally fitted with a fusible plug to protect is about an inch cubed against low water levels so this needed to be installed. The washout plugs all and can be mounted needed to be re-installed. below the frames. It can be linked wirelessly to a The boiler inspector also confirmed that the superheater fitted in Spain could compatible tablet to allow not be accepted without documentation of its fabrication and testing, which for viewing and recording was not available. It therefore became a straightforward decision to remove the on the move and also for superheater and run the locomotive on saturated steam to give an arrangement freeze-frame analysis at in common with the other R&ER locomotives. leisure. The footage was In the meantime, the chassis was moved to Ravenglass at the end of February sufficient to establish that to test clearances. The locomotive has a profile similar toRiver Esk and River the existing wheel profiles Mite, and considerably smaller than River Irt and Northern Rock, so it was not did not present a risk for expected that there would be any clearance issues. However, clearance issues testing during Phase 1. could potentially arise nearer track level or at the platforms, in particular given Phase 1 works the drain cocks projecting below the cylinders. Remarkably, the project RHDR-manufactured safety valves in the Krauss’ Low-speed trials were held over the pointwork in Ravenglass and up to Miteside, team was able to acquire boiler at Bouth. Photo: Alex Sharphouse 14 15 two scanned complete sets of drawings of the Krauss locomotive. Graham progressed steadily. A set of safety valves was ordered through Kim Richardson Worsnop was able to obtain a set through contacts at Siemens, which ultimately at New Romney, using the CNC pattern which had been used for the valves for absorbed the Krauss company. Steve Wood was able to obtain a set through his River Irt. They were ordered in March 2016 and delivered in June. contacts with the Stuttgart railway. The water feeds were extended into the boiler to reduce the differential A series of meetings was held to review the initial findings and confirm the temperature stresses which could be caused when cold tender water is injected scope of works for Phase 1 with the objective of achieving running condition to close to the firebox. Boiler fittings and a manifold were installed in August. allow for initial trials. A meeting was held at Old Hall Engineering on 23rd May The injectors were changed over to ¾-inch and ½-inch injectors, similar to the 2016 to confirm the scope of works to the boiler. A design decisions meeting other R&ER locomotives. With other works carried out, the boiler was ready for was held in Ravenglass on 11th June and the agreed scope was confirmed in its hydraulic test on 20th August 2016. Its first steaming in nearly 90 years was writing to Old Hall Engineering. carried out on 3rd September. The chassis was returned to Old Hall Engineering on 13th June. Promptly The boiler inspector visited on 26th September and confirmed his satisfaction. thereafter, the main driving wheelsets were sent away to Responsive at Lillyhall The boiler was reunited with the chassis, and the boiler certificate was issued by for non-destructive testing including ultrasound proving of the axle and dye- the inspector on 9th November. penetration testing of the spokes. The wheels were given a clean bill of health The tender on 29th June. Thoughts were also turning to the tender. Whilst it was anticipated that the Given that the wheelsets had been removed for the testing, it was decided to Phase 1 testing would be undertaken using the existing tender, it had many take the opportunity to turn them to the railway’s standard profile. The railway’s problems which would need to be addressed. The water tank leaked; the wheel engineer, Graeme King, visited Old Hall to advise on the standard techniques tyres were considerably narrower than the standard R&ER wheel profiles, which used by the Ravenglass team to build up the profile by welding to allow for could cause them to drop at pointwork and damage the point frogs; the driver’s them to be turned to the correct profile. This reprofiling was carried out during position was high and left the driver exposed to the Cumbrian elements; and July 2016. considerable modifications would be needed to install ancillary equipment Another interface with the railway which was of interest to Ron Whalley was including air generation and braking, battery and radio. the braking system. In common with the modifications carried out to the From around March 2016 it was looking preferable to build a new tender. The railway’s other steam engines during major overhauls, it was required to have experience of the No.12 project team was sought regarding the design that the locomotive brakes had been developed. The major constraint on tender design is the length of operated by the train the turntables. At this time, there was some discussion about installing larger air system, such that the turntables, but this did not progress to fruition. The general approach was based locomotive and train around replicating the design of the River Esk tender, since this would avoid a brakes act together rather ‘new or novel’ designation, hence ease the approvals for the vehicle. than having separate systems. The locomotive Stuart Marsh expressed an interest in becoming involved in the project, and was originally fitted from July 2016 rapidly developed the design for the tender. A design decisions with a steam brake. To meeting held on 14th September 2016 fixed the main parameters of the tender, compensate for the lower including its appearance with straight-sided shoulders and beading and the air pressure compared bulkhead behind the driver’s position. with boiler steam pressure Extensive debate was had about the braking systems. It was agreed with Ron and to provide an Whalley that, since the tender was a new vehicle to the railway, it should be fitted equivalent braking force, with its own air brakes. Ron was also keen that the locomotive/tender consist a new larger air brake was fitted with a parking brake, since the air reservoirs tend to leak empty cylinder was sourced and rd overnight and hence the air brakes come off. It proved impractical to make a On 3 September 2016 Jack Dibnah looks on as installed in August 2016. TFS raises steam for the first time in decades. parking brake linkage on the locomotive, hence a hand-operated mechanical Photo: Alex Sharphouse Works to the boiler brake was designed for the tender. All this made the tender bogie designs 16 17 significantly more complicated than the railway’s existing fleet of tenders. were held to update Ron Whalley on progress, on 13th October 2016, and with Martin Cookman of the Railway Company, on 16th November, to agree Options for the air generation equipment were also debated at length. It was the programme and practicalities of testing the locomotive on railway metals. agreed sensible to include two sources of generation, one of which was likely In particular, either Jack or Alex from Old Hall Engineering would remain to be an axle-driven compressor. An option for a battery-driven pump would responsible for and with the locomotive during testing, and Peter van Zeller provide a reliable off-the-shelf pump, but experience with Typhoon, visiting was nominated as the railway’s driver to oversee the testing. over the 2016 summer season, highlighted the high current consumption and potential for the battery to run flat. An option for an alternator to charge the The locomotive and existing tender were moved to Ravenglass on 18th battery while on the move was considered, but would have required a layshaft November 2016. Balancing and valve setting were undertaken. A press day was arrangement to increase the revolutions to suit standard automotive alternators. arranged for 22nd November to celebrate its first time in steam at the railway, A steam turbine pump was considered, but commercially available units did not and photographs of the event had over 8,000 views on social media within a appear to come in small enough sizes. Various designs of steam air pump were few days, illustrating the power of this form of coverage. investigated, including drawings from the park railway in Dresden and parts The first trip beyond Ravenglass station limits occurred on 23rd November, for a Knorr air pump kindly loaned by the Bressingham museum. The eventual with some trepidation given that the locomotive had not run since the 1930s. solution was a pump similar to that used on River Esk, kindly donated by Alan Normally, an ‘engineering steam test’ such as this would expect to go to Miteside Keef and Co. and back to check the performance of the wheels, motion and cylinders. The bogie design was considered at length. An option to mimic the Romney- Miteside was reached and nothing seemed to be amiss, so the trial run with style bogie was seriously considered, given their good riding qualities and a single support coach continued on to Irton Road. Again, a check over the taking advantage of being able to view the details on the visiting Typhoon. locomotive showed no signs of bearings running hot, so the team pressed on, However, the Railway Company was also considering a new bogie design reaching and returning from Dalegarth at the first attempt. for use under the prospective fleet of new carriages and, at the time, limited Other key tests included the new air brakes on the locomotive, which showed engineering support for the project was available at Ravenglass. It was decided that it achieved the target deceleration rate of 0.7m/s2. Further runs were to avoid creating a ‘one-off’ bogie design, hence the design was adopted by carried out with progressively increasing loads, up to 12 empty coaches which copying from existing tender bogies. is representative of a regular loaded eight-coach train. The opportunity was also The new tender design included a sprung drawbar to smooth out the piston taken for each of the railway’s usual steam drivers to try out and comment on strokes from the locomotive. A water capacity of 970 litres (256 gallons) was the Krauss locomotive. Over 190 miles were run. specified, sufficient for a round-trip and standing time. Coal capacity of 0.37 Generally the tests were very successful and demonstrated the capability of cubic metres, enough to carry about 7cwt, is available, sufficient for three the locomotive. Further works were identified, in particular, to correct steam round-trips. The new tender was designed to the same width as the Krauss leakage on one of the locomotive, which was built in metric with an overall width of 1.0m. This gave strokes, likely to require it an extra width of 10cm compared with the 3ft width of the imperial River Esk, new piston rings. All in all which proved useful for incorporating the required capacity and all the desired a positive end to 2016 and features. the first year of work on Stuart Marsh produced a full set of CAD drawings for the tender, and these were the locomotive. issued to Old Hall on 14th October 2016. The project team had also received an The expenditure to the approach from the Stuttgart railway which wanted to construct a new tender end of December 2016 for its locomotive Santa María and was keen to use original parts. Following was £213,801 including confirmation of our intent to build a new tender, it was agreed to release the the purchase price, and existing tender to Stuttgart. They arranged for collection of the tender, and it the fundraising total was was collected in due course on 2nd March 2017. £25,532. Phase 1 testing [To be continued in the As works progressed and the locomotive became closer to operating, meetings next Magazine…] TFS on Dalegarth turntable, Christmas Eve 2016. Photo: Jackie Pharaoh 18 19 Chairman’s Report many visitors will be prepared to spend a little extra to experience a ride in it. A Peter Hensman OBE first class railway deserves a first class carriage. Looking more generally at 2018, after a miserable, cold spring and early Easter, In 2018 the R&ER enjoyed many successes. In May, the Society’s new locomotive, something which is never very good for traffic, we enjoyed a wonderful summer. Whillan Beck, was welcomed into the fleet. Not only is it a great looking engine, This compensated for the slow start so that, by the end, passenger numbers much appreciated by visitors, but it has more than proved itself as a reliable were on a par with 2017. We can all share a sense of pride that our customers workhorse over the summer. Our thanks to the Preservation Society for consistently give excellent feedback on their visit, whether it’s the friendly staff providing it for us. and volunteers, the cafés and food, the beautifully maintained locomotives or a combination of the railway, the scenery and the walks. Indeed over 93% of our It was also a delight to welcome back River Esk after its seven-year absence. Trip Advisor reviews rate their day out at 4 or 5 stars, with nearly 70% giving Nigel Day, assisted by several very committed volunteers, did a wonderful job us five stars. Of course we don’t always get everything right every time, and bringing this locomotive back up to a very high standard. This meant that, for continue to welcome feedback about how we can improve the experience. the first time for several years, we were able to operate throughout the summer with five serviceable steam engines. Unfortunately the same cannot be said Our much better performance on the engine front has been helped by the new about the diesel engines. The problems that surfaced during the major overhaul arrangements with John Fowler Engineering. The expertise of Alex Sharphouse of Douglas Ferreira meant that we had to survive the summer with only one and his team has assisted our own staff to sort the day-to-day problems more diesel, perversely in a year when fire risk meant that more diesel power would quickly to the satisfaction of all. have been really helpful! It is also pleasing to be able to report that across the car park, the Museum Another engine which reappeared at the Railway during the year was Katie. Trust has also had a successful year. In its first full season, the new museum has It left the Railway in 1919 in pretty poor condition. It has returned in pristine proved very successful with some 31,000 visitors. The family-friendly activities condition thanks to the restoration work organised and funded by the and quality displays have added to the enjoyment and knowledge of many of Preservation Society Trust and it now forms a major attraction in the museum. our visitors. Finally on the subject of rolling stock, it was disappointing that production Finally, you will all probably be aware of the difficult management problems we problems at Boston Lodge delayed the completion of the new First Class have encountered following Trevor Stockton’s retirement as General Manager. Observation Carriage until well after the end of the season. Thankfully, it is now Our attempt to bring a more commercial slant to the role created difficulties and on site and first impressions are that it has been worth waiting for. We hope that forced us to make the role redundant. We now recognise that the operations tasks and the commercial tasks require very different experience and skills and are looking to split the role into two with both specialists reporting direct to the Chief Executive. The Board is grateful to all staff and volunteers for their patience and continued support The observation carriage in the Ravenglass workshop nd Whillan Beck and River Esk line astern at Ravenglass, 11th May 2018. through this difficult on the night of 2 January 2019. Photo: Nigel Day time. Photo: Christopher Glover 20 21 125 Years of Muriel and River Irt

Sir Arthur Heywood’s Muriel with wagons. It arrived at Ravenglass in 1917. By 1972 River Irt was undergoing further changes. It is now taller, but the new Photo: RRM Archive boiler would not arrive until 1977. Photo: RRM Archive

Muriel was rebuilt as River Irt in 1927, here passing a camping coach and River Irt departs Eskdale Green in 2018. Photo: Peter Trimming volunteer accommodation Skid Row on 19th June 1963. Photo: Frank Harvey 22 23 From the Secretary’s Desk A sealed bid auction was held for a painting of Whillan Beck by artist David Mungo Stacy French GRA. The winning bid of £1,500 contributed much-appreciated funds to the Train From Spain Appeal and in support of Whillan Beck’s ongoing maintenance. The Society is grateful to the artist for contributing the painting in Railway operations support of the project. Welcome to the 2019 season. The controller is looking forward Plans continue to be developed for the overhaul of River Mite, most likely over to welcoming lots of volunteers to the railway this year. the coming winter. Douglas Ferreira continues in service and has performed Please remember to book in for an induction before you start well following its overhaul. volunteering this year to hear about any changes that apply from the start of the season. The online HOPS rostering system Locomotive movements is live for bookings; slots filled up quickly last year, but if your Whillan Beck has been invited to visit the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch preferred role is already taken, then please ask for an alternative. Railway’s gala on 11th–12th May 2019. In the mean time, Katie will visit Beamish Contact Anna Tilsley at the railway for details of inductions and from 11th–14th April 2019 and Fairbourne on 25th–27th May 2019. the roster system. Events Society Council A gala event will be held at the early May bank holiday, 4th–6th May 2019. The The Society is run by a Council of up to 20 members. Each year at the AGM event will celebrate the birthdays of some of the locomotives: in order of age, th (this year on 13 July 2019), there is the opportunity for new Council members River Irt (Muriel) 125, Perkins 90, Whillan Beck 90. Shelagh of Eskdale will be to be elected. We are always interested in hearing from potential new Council 50, although is not currently planned to play an active part in the celebrations members. Please contact the Secretary for a nomination form if you are given its current non-operational status. An evening event for Society members th interested in standing for Council. The closing date for nominations is 14 May will be held at Dalegarth on the Sunday evening, 5th May 2019. Early planning 2019. has begun for the 60th anniversary of the Society in 2020. The Council has elected a new Sales Officer, Kathryn Brissenden, and thanks the outgoing officer Terry Williams for his efforts over the years. The Council was invited to dinner with the Railway Company directors at the Old House, Kendal, on 21st January 2019. Heywood House There were 180 bed nights at the Society accommodation, Heywood House, during the last period, with an income of £810. Ravenglass is not the easiest place to get to, and Heywood House continues to provide reasonably-priced accommodation for Society members working on the railway. It has five bedrooms, arranged with a mix of single and bunk beds. For further details, please contact the warden, Mary Harding (details on page 2). The windows are showing signs of deterioration in the sea air, and replacement windows are being investigated. The windows were one of the bits of building fabric not renewed during the refurbishment in 2009. Locomotives The Society’s newest steam locomotive, Whillan Beck, has won the Heritage Railway Association Coiley Award for Locomotive Engineering, at an awards dinner on 9th February 2019. This is a stop press announcement! River Mite glides down Hollin How with a train during bank holiday weekend, May 2018. Photo: Sam Dixon 24 25 Membership Matters loco leaving the R&ER in 1919; it will also work two return trips to Murthwaite sidings on the Saturday for guided viewings of the crushing plant. As I write Sarah Bennett we are in the final stages of organising 50% discounts for members on the £10 Murthwaite shuttles. Happy new membership year to you. Thank you to all of you who have sent in your renewal forms early to keep Jim and me busy. I’m not sure what my postie On the Saturday evening a photography event will take place at Ravenglass thinks! Quite a few renewals have gone to the station again this year, despite my station from around 17.30. This will include false departures and special line- pleas! Neither of us live there and, in the winter months, visits are infrequent, so ups of all five steam locomotives as well as most diesels. This will be free of please send them to us at home (see page 2 for addresses). Regarding cheque charge with donations taken for the Preservation Society Steam Locomotive payment, we are waiting for a period of approximately 10 days for clearance Maintenance Fund and the Ravenglass Railway Museum. Food and drink will before sending out membership cards, so please ensure you fill out cheques be available to purchase from the Turntable Café. The new observation carriage fully to avoid delays. Also, please do not staple cheques to your renewal form; is likely to be out all weekend and on Sunday is to be used for a round-trip to Jim has had to buy a staple remover as he tells me it is playing havoc with his include a commentary during the journey. The Sunday evening will see a special nails! But all joking aside, the banks do not like you to staple or fold them either. train, hauled by Whillan Beck, travel to Dalegarth for a ‘birthday party’ with cake and buffet, this being reserved for members only and will cost £10 per head. A reminder sheet can be found on the reverse of the address sheet if you are yet Please contact the Ravenglass office with your details and membership number to renew. Replacement copies can be found on the renewal page of the website to book a place. It is likely that the train will depart Ravenglass around 18.00 by clicking on hard copy in the text. Please do it soon to keep receiving your and return before 21.00. On Monday museum loco Katie will be on ‘Driver for a Ratty Magazine; I would urge you not to leave it until the last minute if you are Fiver’, which can be pre-booked via the Ravenglass office. Some services might travelling to the area on holiday. We Membership Secretaries also need holidays be double-headed throughout the weekend. and may not be around. Please remember also that you need some ID to obtain privilege tickets. And finally, thank you for supporting the Preservation Society During the event there will be many volunteer roles available, including: guards, through your membership. station masters, drivers (we’ll need plenty of them) and many more… it is a gala, remember – and yes, I just said ‘gala’! Volunteering Update I’m very proud of the resilience and hardworking attitude of all of the volunteers during 2018 in what could be described as an ‘interesting’ 12 months with Danny Duckworth changes aplenty. My thanks go out to you all for your commitment. I’d like to start by thanking all those who volunteered their time during January By the time you read this we’ll already by in the third month of 2019 and I hope to help with the track relaying project at Dalegarth Cottages. I know I speak that everyone is enjoying themselves, volunteering or not – but especially the on behalf of the staff when I say that volunteers make a huge difference and volunteers. I will continue to do my best to answer all the emails and phone are greatly appreciated; the job wouldn’t get done without you. At the time of calls that come my way, so if you’re reading this and thinking you’d like to get writing this, I’ve seen the largest number of volunteers on the track at once has involved then please, don’t hesitate, get in touch. I receive many emails from been around 15, which is an excellent representation for a task that I know can people who don’t know what role they’d like to volunteer in but instead tell be hard at times – at the end of the day it becomes rather clear who regularly me their skills and experience and let me me make the decision for them; does track work and who doesn’t (I was part of the doesn’t!). I don’t mean to I am more than happy for people to do this and I will do my best to make put anyone off; it is thoroughly rewarding. It’s been excellent to see the regulars recommendations. and some new faces getting involved to help to maintain the best little railway, My aim in my role as Volunteer Liaison Officer is to recruit and retain volunteers with the best little track! whilst supporting them throughout their time at the railway; if you know 2019 promises to be a good year and I hope that many of you are considering someone who’d like to volunteer or if you’re a volunteer that would like a volunteering your time for the many events taking place throughout the year chat about something then feel free to contact me – it’s what I’m here for. I’m as well as the normal day to day running. A highlight for 2019 will be the ‘Big committed to ensuring every volunteer has the best experience possible whilst Birthday Gala’ to celebrate the birthdays of three locomotives – River Irt (125), volunteering. Whillan Beck and Perkins (both 90). Katie will play a hugely important part in the event by running a centenary special to celebrate the memory of the 26 27 Who’s Who - Society Chairman customer experience, that close working relationship must continue and develop. Simon Thompson Periods of change are never easy to manage and we need to ensure we support, are consulted and advise where necessary, to ensure that visitors want to return.” I first became acquainted with La’al Ratty back in We have seen a number of further changes in railway personnel since this, but it 1972 when a school friend of mine said “We must still remains a top priority for me. go to Ravenglass some time, you will love it!” So ii) “We need to be able to engage with our existing and, more importantly, we did and he was right; I did love it and have potential members and volunteers.” had a close association now for some 45 years. I am fairly sure we came up by train from South Look back in your R&ER Magazines and you will always see the plea for Buckinghamshire for a weekend (you did mad volunteers, but I want us as Society to start to build a programme to engage and things like that when you were teenagers). We then encourage the younger members. I speak to a lot of people when guarding and it came back to volunteer for three summers in 1975- never ceases to amaze me the number of people who visited the railway in their 1977, living in what was then the luxurious camping formative years and are returning much later with fond memories. We need to coach, spending all day working and then all night Simon Thompson have a means of keeping that interest going. I know of other societies who have reviewing the state of the railway and the nation in Photo: Courtesy Simon a specific programme that provides experiences and training for all ages and I the Ratty Arms. Oh how things have changed. Thompson would hope we could do something similar. During the 1980s and 1990s I was not able to volunteer so much, as I had to iii) “We have a good track record as a Society of enticing people to become leave student life and start working. I married Denise in 1982 and we had our members. We have an excellent attraction in one of the best parts of the country. honeymoon in Ravenglass, as I wanted to show her Eskdale and of course the We are in a digital age dominated by social media and we need to ensure that our Ratty. She too became enchanted with the area and the railway. During this period presence in this field engages with and attracts people to the Society as well as we had two daughters and I was not able to devote the time I had previously, as I the railway.” was now working all over the world and had family commitments as well, but we Whilst I am not a social media user myself, I do recognise that we need to enhance never stopped coming for a visit. our presence as a Society in the marketplace. We perhaps need to look at our During one more recent AGM, there was a plea for more volunteers, especially online presence to ensure we’re engaging with as many people as possible. guards (same old story), so I decided to have another go. It really is like learning iv) “Whilst our current financial position is sound, currently we do not have the to ride a bike, once you get it, you never really forget. I decided a couple of years resources available for any more immediate major works, so we need to review ago to stand for Council; I wanted to be more active than just guarding, and last and decide what projects we should lead, those we should support and those we year I was elected as Chairman. feel are worthy but beyond our current capabilities.” Outside of Ravenglass, I now work for a large French company though am We own three wonderful locomotives, but they all need ongoing attention and looking to retire in two or three years to devote more time to leisure activities. we must ensure that resources are available for them. Whillan Beck has consumed We recently bought a motor home and use this now to travel to Ravenglass from substantial funds but has become a most worthy asset. River Mite will need a our home in Cambridgeshire, often just for a weekend (you still do mad things major overhaul next year and Douglas Ferreira has been overhauled this year, in later life). I am Churchwarden for our local church and enjoy walking, with or but has not been without trial and tribulation. On top of this we have a number of without our dog, some gardening and photography. other projects needing our support. I appeal to anyone with project management When I put myself forward for Chairman, I had four priorities: experience to consider whether you could assist in some small way, or do you have other skills such as web design or publicity? Not every role needs to be i) “To ensure that the strong relationships built over many years with the previous Ravenglass-based; modern technology means much can be done from home. General Manager and all of the Railway Company staff are maintained during the transition to new leadership within both the Company and the Society. In 2020 we shall celebrate 60 years of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway I do believe that we need to have a period of stability and consolidation. We Preservation Society and we need to shout from the rooftops about all we have need to remember that as a Society we can only exist with the full cooperation achieved in those years. I am not going to single out any project or person, they of the Railway Company and, as changes are introduced to enhance the overall are all important, but we will be having a major event on 5th September 2020 in Gosforth, so watch this space for details. 28 29 Bonnie Dundee For now, I wish the Ratty and every other railway a busy and successful season John Kerr and I thank you for your continued interest and support in the restoration of Bonnie Dundee and the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. After a period of nearly two years of very slow progress due to a few hiccups, we at the CCLR are very excited to announce that work on returning Bonnie Dundee to steam has finally recommenced. When Dundee first arrived at the CCLR in 2016, it was clear that we had greatly underestimated the amount of work that was required to get her back into service. Much of her had been cannibalised to keep the rest of the Ratty fleet going. It was to prove very costly and time-consuming sourcing new/replacement parts whilst some of her missing components were found scattered across the country. The latest news, however, is that I’m very pleased to announce that after sitting in store for the summer months of 2018. Bonnie Dundee is now with Alex Sharphouse of John Fowler Engineering at Old Hall Farm, Bouth. She moved there in early January, with plans to start work on her very soon. With the success of Whillan Beck, we were very happy to offer the contract to Old Hall Farm with the thinking that we too will have a loco that will also not just look the part but will be capable of hauling passengers once again, just this time on the other coast. Plans to reinstate the original Stephenson valvegear are also on the table and some other minor upgrades/tweaks are also being considered. Hopefully it won’t be too long before Bonnie Dundee is steaming again and I for one as am sure like many other people can’t wait for that moment. With Southern valve gear at the 15in gauge centenary in 2015. Photo: David Mart If you’d like to see more regular updates, then you can like the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway’s Facebook page or even pop down to Old Hall Farm to see how work is progressing.

Bonnie Dundee with Stephenson’s valve gear in the 1980s. Photo: Bob Tebb Bonnie Dundee in the JFE workshop, 2019. Photo: Jack Dibnah 30 31 As well as the historic axle and cranks, Shelagh’s history and the iconic looks Correspondence make me say we should not significantly alter it. We may forget it is older now than River Esk was in 1960, and no-one would dream of saying Esk should have new traction power when its boiler needs replacing. From David Wrottesley, Sheffield: I think that progressing the traction of the railway is worth considering, but not at The picture on page 3 of Number 231, of passengers with umbrellas on a “train the expense of an icon of the 1960s. Should we not be updating the electric loco heading for the mountain panorama” reminds me of my first experience of the we have (Greenbat has been left to rot for over 12 years) with modern batteries, line. We had in our family house in London, in a prominent position, a drinks controls and solar charging, to give experience of the possible advantages and tray, with a coloured picture under glass. It showed an idyllic scene of Colossus problems, and then going for a long-term new-build or be ready to work on hauling a short train of open carriages in bright sunshine near Irton Road. It had Douglas when, as we are told, it requires major work in 10-plus years? been a wedding present to my parents. The 1995 edition of the Handbook states “Some of our greatest enthusiasts prefer to travel outside, in the open air, even From John Mansfield, by e-mail: in the winter, when trains convey both open and heated, covered carriages.” With the recent centenary of Armistice Day it is sobering to think what grim In 1957 my father, a dedicated railway enthusiast, who had been on the line sights and cargos our camping coaches, Elmira and Maid of Kent, must have in the 1920s, decided on a family holiday at Seascale. August 1957 was a very witnessed at, and following, the end of hostilities. They were originally built as wet month, and the day we visited the line it rained continuously. My mother ambulance cars for use in the First World War. and sisters were less than impressed as we boarded the open carriages at There is no doubt that our coaches, British Rail parlour camping coaches 022261 Ravenglass. I sat next to my brother, but the seat next to me was taken shortly and 022262, are rare examples of their class. They have spent the last 50 years before departure by a five-year-old girl, put on the train by her mother. I was as camping coaches and are historical vehicles in that respect as well. Seeing cold and wet, but trying to enjoy myself. I recall River Irt was getting into its them in Ravenglass during the November Track Week I was concerned that the stride towards Muncaster Mill when the girl said to me “When do we get back?” running gear is now hidden behind unsightly boarding. I said “I think it will take 20 minutes and 20 minutes back again.” Her response was to burst into tears, and she said repeatedly “I want my mum!” Can I make some suggestions? Despite the attention of both my sisters and mother, other concerned passengers 1. The Preservation Society urgently offers to help restore and maintain and my father’s supplying of correct timetable information, the child was very the coaches, with the intention to have them available in summer 2019. upset, and wept for the entire journey to Dalegarth. On arrival, at last, the crying 2. The coaches should be economically refurbished bearing in mind stopped. A frantic mother had appeared, running down the platform, looking their historical importance. The aim should be to continue their role as for her child. My father assured the lady that we had all been trying to take care low-cost family accommodation which will engender a love of Ratty, of the child, but wondered how the problem had occurred. The response: “I providing Ratty enthusiasts of the future. thought it was a ‘Peter Pan’ fairground ride, a merry-go-round railway in a loop, that went round the back of the sheds and came straight back.” 3. If the springs on the suspension are really thought to be a safety issue could they be jacked up to relieve the springs in question? I am pleased to say that, since 1957, I have had numerous enjoyable rides in both open and closed carriages on both sunny and wet days and the railway 4. Perhaps the Preservation Society could offer working weekends in the remains as delightful as ever. I have not yet been hauled by Whillan Beck but less busy months to help paint and restore the coaches. Is there a lull look forward to it. between the frantic activity of high season and the Track Weeks, when Society members might be happy to lend a hand? From Bob Brook, by e-mail: 5. It would be a real shame if these irreplaceable coaches were lost from The correspondence in the December Magazine has again worried me about the Ravenglass scene where they occupy the remains of the standard the future of Shelagh of Eskdale. The previous workshop regime had discussed gauge siding and provide heritage holiday accommodation of immense substantial changes to an historic machine, which I understand are thankfully character at the heart of the Best Little Railway in the World. not now progressing, but ideas of major traction changes, bring to the fore what is important heritage and what can be replaced.

32 33 Ravenglass Railway Museum Synolda Overhaul Bob Tebb & David Rounce Secondly, followers of our social media presence will be aware that we have launched a crowdfunding campaign on JustGiving.com to raise £5,000 towards The end of 2018 has seen the successful completion of our three-year Heritage a programme of restoration works on Synolda, scheduled over the next Lottery Fund project. The final expenditure of the total £477,053 received three years. Although currently operational, Synolda’s condition could best has been on making improvements to the exterior traverser, currently being be described as ‘tired’ and, as we approach the 40th anniversary of its initial undertaken by John Fowler Engineering, and despatching the three Theakston restoration by BNFL apprentices in 1980, we need to ensure the little blue loco granite wagons to Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum for restoration. is in tip-top shape to steam into the next 40 years. Winter Maintenance and Archive The campaign went live on 9th January and within hours had received donations of over £300. Please visit our JustGiving page to learn more about the project; We are taking advantage of the winter closed period to perform routine we are of course sincerely grateful for donations of any size. The web address maintenance including painting the floor – considering much of the entrance is: (www.justgiving.com/campaign/ravenglasssynoldaappeal). area was repainted last winter it is remarkable how much the traffic of 30,000 visitors has worn the paint away. The archive too has been receiving attention, Happy Camping with a small band of volunteers working to process the estimated 2,000 object The two Pullman Camping Coaches Elmira and Maid of Kent have now spent backlog of incoming artefacts. Recent additions to the collection include many years at Ravenglass; during that time many Ratty families have enjoyed drawings by pupils at Sand Hutton School, York, of Synolda’s 2012 visit to their their comforts and idiosyncrasies. playground and a 1908 invoice from Irwin & Myers, Coach Builders and Joiners of Ravenglass who, it is speculated, are possible builders of the 3ft ‘Big Saloon’ They have an amazingly long and interesting history pre-Ratty as well, and their coach. More archive volunteers are very welcome, sparing even one morning a full story will be worth telling in future years. What we are seeking now is to week will be of great assistance. record more of their history as camping coaches by collecting reminiscences and, particularly, old snapshots of families using them – from any time, though Exhibitions the longer ago the better! It is hoped to make some incremental improvements to the permanent Can you help? If so please contact David Rounce at the Ravenglass Railway exhibitions over the next couple of months, so keep an eye out for new features Museum ([email protected]). on your next visit! We are excited to welcome the Romans in Ravenglass Archaeology Group whose display will be seen in our Community Exhibition Gallery from February half-term until June. Bob Tebb’s unique Bassett-Lowke petrol locomotive Blacolvesley will shortly be returning home, however we are pleased to announce that, such has been the popularity of its appearance in Ravenglass, the National Railway Museum has agreed to extend the loan of Little Giant until the end of 2019. Funding Being a museum these days means being on an eternal quest for funding. At present there are two irons in the fire – we are currently awaiting the outcome of an application to the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund (how do they come up with such catchy names?) to make a number of improvements to the museum climate including UV window filters, industrial ventilation units and extending the biomass heating. Hopefully this will stabilise the internal environment which, among other factors, is at present too hot in summer and too cold in winter. The camping coaches and their ‘unsightly boarding’ (see Correspondence for reference). Photo: John Mansfield 34 35 Faces Behind The Window Memory Lane by Sid Edwards

When I first became involved in the Ratty in 1975 the booking office was situated at one end of the wooden building now sandwiched between the modern shop/ticket office and the Society Sales coach. The booking office was so small that one booking clerk was known to answer the phone with “Broom cupboard”. You could hardly see the booking clerk from the outside but you could see hands dispensing tickets and collecting cash. This was way before the railway started accepting plastic [cards] in 1995. The regular booking clerk in those days and up to 1995 was ABK (John) McCullagh, a highly entertaining chap and a very good friend to the railway, its staff and volunteers. There is a plaque in memory of John in the modern Sid Edwards on Greenbat. Photo: RRM Archive booking office. John helped greatly by providing accommodation for visiting volunteers, me included, and seriously assisting with the purchase of Heywood who was famous for dispensing her homemade burgers at the AGM of the House, the Society hostel. Usually, so that John could have alternate weekends Murthwaite Locomotive Group! Malcolm had previously been a volunteer off, a volunteer who held many senior posts in the Society over the years, and guard whom I first remember meeting during Easter 1976. Part of Malcolm’s was one of the first volunteers, Dai Pickup, covered booking office duties. past working life had been spent on the Travelling Post Office running nightly between Workington and Huddersfield. A seat in memory of Malcolm and In the early 1980s the booking office moved into what is now the shop, together Doreen is at Muncaster Mill, where they spent a lot of their later years looking with the Tourist Information Centre which had previously been located in a after the station. caravan in the station car park. The booking office occupied roughly a third of the building at the southern end. Again for a good many years Dai provided On one occasion my parents called in at the railway whilst on holiday, hoping to relief and assistance on bank see John McCullagh whom they had previously met, but found Malcolm staffing holidays. Unfortunately John would the booking office. On introducing themselves, Malcolm promptly closed the sometimes start cursing and seemed booking office and took them to the Tea Bar for a cuppa! to think that pulling the blind down Another regular in the booking office was Andrew Graham who hailed from in the ticket window would stop any Harrington. I will never forget turning up at Ravenglass station on my wedding waiting customers hearing him. It day to find that Andrew had spent most of the previous day, when I was out did not! of the way working at Dalegarth Booking Office and shop, decorating the His regular salutation was “Oh p*** wedding train and providing headboards which varied for each direction of the off – Booking Office” if the phone journey. On the day after the wedding Ann and I went by road to commence rang when he was engrossed in our honeymoon, by train from Whitehaven. Andrew was there to help with something else. Usually he used this luggage and had a badge on his cap saying Wedding Porter. Apparently as salutation just before picking up Graham Withers did not know which train Ann and I had planned to catch at the phone – but his timing was not Whitehaven, this had been Andrew’s second attempt. Being well known to the always accurate. local BR staff he had flagged down the first empty stock train from Workington to Whitehaven and, as we were not at Whitehaven, he returned home to During this era Malcolm Wilkinson Harrington, arriving at Whitehaven again on the next train. You do not forget spent several seasons part-time in gestures like those of Andrew. the booking office, combined with driving Lady Wakefield on certain During 1991 John McCullagh missed the whole season owing to being John McCullagh in control. trains. Malcolm had retired and now hospitalised in Newcastle for several months. Various staff and volunteers filled Photo: RRM Archive lived locally with his wife Doreen, the gap and I remember spending most of my 1991 holidays from my proper 36 37 job, working in Ravenglass Booking Office. It was so busy on the Tuesday after after we lost John. I remember Andrew Graham saying to me once that the two Spring Bank Holiday that Graham Withers decreed that when I took the takings of us were a bit of a novelty; we had worked in RBO and lived! for banking at the Post Office I should have a bodyguard. The bodyguard was I left the full-time staff in 1996 and was replaced by David Taylor, who had none other than well known volunteer and one time member of staff, Colin covered during John’s temporary vacancy during the 1991 high season. David’s Cable. Unfortunately Colin got lost down the street and ended up in the days off were covered by Graham Withers, who had of course to be replaced in Pennington Arms. It took so long for Don and Barbara, who ran the Post Office, control on these days. Louise Stewart also covered one day a week for a while. to count the money that I had time to shuttle back and forth to the Penn to keep Colin company. I also remember that this lengthy wait allowed me to have three After this time the booking office closed and tickets were sold in the shop, pints with him! after a bit of a reorganisation. I have a feeling that Dave Jenner worked in the old booking office for a very short while before moving to the main office on In July 1992 I joined the staff, where I was supposed in the main to assist in the platform 1. The shop had moved into the building taking over half of the TIC booking office during the season, together with diesel driving for five days a during the late eighties or early nineties, the TIC eventually closing when local fortnight, and guarding as required. At one time I regularly did one round trip a authority funding ran out. day which could not be covered by the rest of the guarding turns, and I worked in RBO before and after this lunchtime trip. As John’s health deteriorated I more Various seasonal diesel drivers/guards and some other volunteers were often or less took over RBO, and John spent a lot of time at Dalegarth, especially pressed into service at various times over the years. I do remember that during helpful as Betty Sim, the long-term incumbent, had quite a lot of sick leave at 1995, with ill health among this time. Gladly she is still with us, if not rushing about. John never seemed to various booking clerks tire of his regular trips on the train to and from work at Dalegarth. I think that on the line and Graham he also entertained quite a few passengers during these journeys, pointing out Withers’ mother not being various things of interest. Sadly John passed away in July 1995. well, I was frequently called to cover control for I think it must have been during 1993 or 1994 that the team was joined by Joyce a few hours. Anyone who Knox, who covered shortages in RBO. She was a lovely lady who really looked had a bit of experience after the passengers. She also provided flowers in the toilets on platform 1. I was pressed into service remember that she was normally unable to work on Mondays as she volunteered in RBO to allow me to at the Monday Club in cover the signal box. the parish hall, which was a club for the elderly Two in particuIar that I of the village. There was always grateful to were nasty rumours were Chris Little and Sam that she was not actually Dixon. Chris thought helping at it – she was he was on holiday from one of the elderly! Joyce his usual job, in the BR always denied this. On Travel Centre at Exeter Bank Holiday Monday St. David’s, guarding on mornings she would the Ratty, but actually however come and work spent most of the holiday as a volunteer in RBO, in RBO. In Sam’s case I selling the tickets whilst happened to know that he I attended to the weekly had spent time as seasonal paperwork. staff on the Manx Electric Railway at, I think, Laxey, Joyce joined John in that hence his also being Ex-booking clerk Sam Dixon (r) handed over big ticket office in the persuaded to stand in for chairmanship of Council to Simon Thompson in sky around 12 months Dave Jenner. Photo: RRM Archive me. 2018. Photo: Courtesy Sam Dixon 38 39 Forty Years Ago mainly been sold by the lorry load. 650 Christmas trees were sold, and 2,000 John Taylor trees have been ordered to plant the area above Muncaster Mill. A project to start a trout farm on the swampy ground between the Mill Race Edited highlights of previous editions of the Society’s Newsletters/Magazines: and the railway, immediately behind Muncaster Mill, is well underway. Five ponds have been excavated and, subject to official approval, it is hoped to have Issue No. 73: dated Spring 1979. rainbow trout in the first tank before summer. The aim of this is to offer trout The cover picture showed a young volunteer cleaning carriage windows for sale. illustrating the importance of the perhaps more menial tasks of volunteering. For the second year running, a copy of our film Along These Lines was loaned News from Ravenglass to the Lake District Centre at Brockhole, Windermere, from April to November. It was seen by an estimated 25,000 people and the Society has agreed to lend it The annual overhaul of the four steam locos has continued, the only untoward again for the 1979 season. A letter from Brockhole said: “It has easily been our event being the discovery that River Esk’s boiler will need major attention before most popular film, often showing to two houses.” long. The boiler has been repaired sufficiently to pass hydraulic and steaming tests for a further season. Shelagh of Eskdale has been completely rebuilt. This 2,000,000 has entailed the overhaul of the hydraulic pump, the fitting of a 6-cylinder This year, probably in the first fortnight in July, we look forward to booking our Perkins in place of the 4-cylinder Ford engine, complete rearrangement of all two-millionth passenger. It was at 4.30pm on 2nd May 1973, that on platform 1 cooling systems, the fitting of air brakes, the changing of the suspension from at Ravenglass, using ticket machine No.80, the one-millionth ticket was issued. rubber to leaf-springing, the turning up of the driving wheels, etc. The loco That took 13 years to attain, but our second millionth has been reached in only is now back in service and the general improvement in performance is most six years. Daily in the booking office at Ravenglass the small team who note impressive. the various totals are working quietly away, and from their labours come our New rail on Jarrah sleepers now extends from Dalegarth to west of The Green statistics. station and more new track has been installed in the Miteside area. Despite the And finally weather, upgrading of the line has continued unabated – a very satisfactory winter. In addition, much necessary fencing has been done along with repairs The questions they ask: heard at the booking office at various times in 1978: to bridges. “Can my child travel on a Cornflake packet?”[I guess this was a BR offer – Ed.] The cold weather has held up work on the new toilet block at Ravenglass. But “Do all your trains have engines on them?” since it has been found possible to have sandstone cut to our size at Burlington Slate Quarries, work has gone ahead rapidly and most of the building is now “If five of us go, up to the first-floor level. Completion will not be until the middle of the season. do we all have to come back?” The alterations to the tea bar are almost complete. The plumbing and delivery of the new pine furniture should be completed by Easter. The shop looks a “Are grannies great deal more attractive with far more space for display, and in which to move allowed on the around. train?” In the museum, improvements to the displays and the rearrangement of the “Do the trains go early history part of the museum are well in hand and should all be ready by anywhere?” Easter. British Nuclear Fuels have agreed to overhaul Prince Charles (Synolda) “Can we see in the autumn as soon as it is no longer needed in the museum. anything from the The hard winter has meant that the only useful forestry work which could be train?” done has been the clearance of more land ready for planting. This has resulted [I wonder what in remarkable opening up of the view in some areas – especially at Rock Point the answers were! – and in the bringing out of large quantities of timber for firewood which has – Ed.] Synolda at the Sand Hutton Railway. Photo: RRM Archive 40 41 From the Archives XXIV Ratty Diary 2019 Dave Simpson E&OE. Please check dates and details nearer the time before travelling

We have been adding some 2,000 new images DATE EVENT CONTACT into the RRM Archive, MARCH taken by Nigel Day during the rebuilding of River Saturday 9th Council Meeting, Ravenglass Secretary Esk. These will provide a Saturday 16th Start of daily service Ravenglass record of current activities, which are as important to APRIL the Archive as Mary Fair’s images of the conversions Thursday 11th Beamish Great North Steam Fair featuring Ravenglass/ th of Ella and Muriel in the - Sunday 14 Katie and River Irt Secretary 1920s. Many show the Thursday 18th Press deadline, June issue Editor complexity of the build and the work put into MAY the production of parts by Nigel and the group Saturday 4th ‘Big Birthday’ Gala Weekend including Ravenglass - Monday 6th visiting engine The Bug (RH&DR) of engineers supporting Making history: an array of parts made by Nigel him, and are taken in an Day and team for River Esk. Saturday 11th Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Secretary area normally ‘off limits’ Photo: RRM Archive/Nigel Day Collection - Sunday 12th Gala featuring Whillan Beck for practical reasons, so their inclusion in the RRM Archive is all the more useful. I thought it was worth Saturday 25th Fairbourne Railway Gala featuring Katie Secretary mentioning that we are not stuck permanently in the last century! - Monday 27th

JUNE Anne Tyson 1927-2019 Trevor Stockton Saturday 8th Council Meeting, Ravenglass Secretary

Anne was born in Dearham but, after achieving a grammar school JULY education she moved to Randle How in Eskdale, at the age of 18, to teach in the village school. Marrying and moving to Moss Grove, overlooking Saturday 13th Society AGM Secretary Irton Road station, Anne and her late husband Alan had six children; Liz, Christine, Tom, Helen, John and Elaine. Anne was a well respected member of the local community, serving on the parish council as well Full details of all Railway events can be seen on the website: † Please book in advance as the WI, taking a full part in village life. Anne worked for the railway http://ravenglass-railway.co.uk/events/ for many years, at Dalegarth in the café with Margaret Todd, and latterly in the shop and booking office with Betty Sim. Anne’s children Christine, Helen and Elaine also worked for the railway in the cafes and booking offices. Anne is survived by 10 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. Back Cover: What have the next 125 years got in store? Photo: John Taylor Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time. © 2019 Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society. The R&ER Magazine is published by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society Ltd. 2019. 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