Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Media Pack 2015 ‘ALIGHT AT THE MUSEUM!’ - Why 2015 will be a 100th Anniversary to remember at Ravenglass & Eskdale Press calls: Catapult PR: 01253 891114/07711 628661 [email protected] Ravenglass & Eskdale Celebrates 100th Anniversary By Inviting Visitors To ‘Alight At The Museum’ A much-loved heritage railway tourism attraction is marking 100 years of its 15-inch narrow gauge line in 2015, by creating a year of celebrations, including the re-opening of the Railway Museum and an August Bank Holiday weekend of heritage railway activities and insights. Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, operates a seven-mile line, running between the Lake District coast at Ravenglass and the Dalegarth (for Boot) station, located in the shadow of England’s highest mountains. This idyllic line, often said to offer England’s most beautiful heritage railway journey, was re-gauged in 1915, from 3-feet to 15 inches. The original 3-foot gauge line was the earliest public narrow gauge railway in England, built from 1873 and typical of such works in difficult terrain, hugging the mountainside with side cutting, sharp bends and severe gradients. Ravenglass and Eskdale’s two surviving buildings from that time – the Ravenglass loco shed and Irton Road Station, are little altered from their first construction. The decision to re-gauge the line was taken by acclaimed miniature railway engineer, WJ Bassett- Lowke. He and his friend, R Proctor-Mitchell, representing Narrow Gauge Railways Ltd, acquired the line in 1915 – in the midst of World War 1 - and used it as a base for testing their model locomotives in fairly harsh operating conditions. By 1916, the re-gauged line ran as far as Irton Road, before being extended to cover the full length of the line by the end of 1917. This is just part of the rich history of Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, which stretches back to 1873. All will be celebrated through the opening of a brand new Ravenglass Museum in 2015, where more exhibits than ever will be on display and available for viewing. Although the Railway has previously had a museum (located in the Ravenglass station car park) a grant from FLAG and Sth Copeland Community Fund, has facilitated a programme of renovation, conservation and sustainable development. This has broadened the museum’s educational remit and encouraged new ways of delighting 21st century visitors and local residents, using artefacts and unique insights into local and engineering history. Ravenglass and Eskdale is staging key events in 2015 tied in with the line’s centenary and the launch of the new museum. Roman History Weekend – the history of Ravenglass Harbour This exciting event will reference the Roman history of Ravenglass and the Eskdale valley in anticipation of the re-opening of the museum in late May/early June. A Roman soldier, complete with glittering armour and shields, will be an eye-catching visitor to the Railway, while Roman- themed activities will offer something very different, from making torc bracelets and Roman army dogtags, to putting children in costumes from a dressing-up box that will whisk them back in time. Eskdale ranger, Chris Berry, will lead informative guided walks to Ravenglass beach and the historically important Roman Bathhouse, with two of these opportunities to learn more about Roman Ravenglass scheduled on each day. All activities will be free-of-charge, but donations to the Museum fund would be appreciated. Centenary Celebrations An official 100th birthday party for the 15-inch, re-gauged Ravenglass and Eskdale line will be held between August 28 and 31, 2015 and will be an extravaganza of heritage-focused delights for railway enthusiasts and families alike. The mood for this event will be established at both Ravenglass and Dalegarth stations, which will both be decked out and adorned with vintage bunting. Cafes at both ends of the line will serve special anniversary menu creations throughout a weekend that will transport Ravenglass and Eskdale visitors back in time and brim with nostalgia and retro insights. Synolda, one of the most cherished locomotives at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, is set to step into the limelight. Painted in the royal blue livery of Narrow Gauge Railway Ltd, she was built for the Sand Hutton Railway in 1912, by Bassett-Lowke – the engineer who re-gauged the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. By 1978, she was in a derelict state and was rescued from Belle Vue Zoo by employees of BNFL, who restored her to full working order. However, she is too lightly built for everyday use, so only makes rare appearances, as she will at the 100th birthday party for the 15-inch re-gauged line. Over the party weekend, her younger brother, Count Louis, (Evesham Vale Light Railway) will be joining her, to pull a double-header service on special centenary gala journeys from Ravenglass to Muncaster Mill. Synolda and Count Louis will be top and tailing this service, of which there will be six per day, each carrying 60 passengers. This exquisite experience is bookable in advance as part of a day ticket, which costs £20 for adults and £10 for children aged 5-15. This covers all-day travel and a seat on the special gala train. Ticket holders will also receive a commemorative badge and ‘Edmundson’ ticket (a heritage-style ticket that can act as a memento of this special occasion), plus a chance to enter an exclusive prize draw to win a day on the footplate – every train lover’s dream. These trains will depart Ravenglass in the morning at 9.50 and 11.40 and in the afternoon at 13.00, 13.40, 15.40 and 17.20. The journey will last around 15-20 minutes each way, with an immediate turnaround, to return to Ravenglass as soon as it has reached Muncaster Mill – the point to which the re-gauged line first ran. Once back at Ravenglass, visitors can board a scheduled service and head to Dalegarth if they wish. Other visiting engines will be steaming in to help Ravenglass and Eskdale’s own locos celebrate 100 years of the 15-inch line on which they are running. These include Sutton Belle (Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway), Lydia (Perrygrove Railway) and Katie (Ravenglass and Eskdale – though originally Eaton Railway). This will create numerous photographic opportunities for visitors to capture on camera. Eskdale ranger, Chris Berry, will also be leading guided walks, including a historic circular walk to Beckfoot and then back along the old line to Boot. Another walk will head to Girder Bridge, to visit the old iron works and then return across the stepping stones at St Catherine’s Church. These walks will be available on Saturday 29, Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August 2015. Although free-of-charge, donations to the Ravenglass Museum would be much appreciated. These are just two of the events taking place in the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway line’s 100th year, with full details at www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk Other highlights include behind-the-scenes photography days, A Teddies Go Free Easter offer, a visit from children’s characters Shaun the Sheep, Halloween Ghost Trains and Santa Express services. Ends Press calls: Jane Hunt, Catapult PR, 01253 891114 – [email protected] Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Offers Year-Round Reasons To ‘Alight at the Museum’ 2015 will see a packed calendar of events being run by Lake Distict tourism attraction, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, as it celebrates the centenary of its 15-inch line by including as many visitors as possible in its landmark year. The events schedule kicks off in February, when the locomotives again start steaming up and down the seven-mile scenic line, following their short winter break. Fish and Chip Suppers will get the ball rolling on February 13, when the 6pm departure from Ravenglass chugs out, taking passengers up to Dalegarth, for a delicious fish and chip meal served in the Fellbites Café. These experiences will also run on March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, September 11 and October 9 and cost £10.50 per person, including their meal. All can be booked by calling 019467 23192. On March 9, visitors and local residents can join the Railway for a Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth Day, as the visitor attraction has been chosen to be one of the relatively few locations at which an official Commonwealth flag can be hoisted and flown. Easter at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway will be focused on Teddies Go Free, with all children under age 15 travelling free between April 3 and 16, if they bring their teddy bear along. Teddy could win a special rosette in a daily ‘Best Bear’ competition and there will be complimentary HARIBO treats for younger passengers, as well as a fun Easter line quiz. This Teddy fest will kick off on April 3 with Bay Radio in attendance and can tie in with a visit to Muncaster Castle, which will host a teddy bear picnic over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and also allow free entry to children travelling with their #BFF teddy. On this offer, one child travels free on the Railway with a full-fare- paying adult. This cannot be run in conjunction with any other offer. In May, the Roman History Weekend with a Roman theme, which will see a Roman soldier, complete with shining armour and shields taking centre stage (please refer to lead press pack release for details of this event). This event is in anticipation of the museum re-opening in late May/June – guided Roman Bathhouse and harbour walks over the weekend too with Eskdale Ranger, Chris Berry.