RAVENGLASS & ESKDALE RAILWAY GROUP & EDUCATION PRESS PACK 2014 DO THE LOCOMOTION WITH R&E! January 1, 2014 Locomotion’s Heaven Will Thrill Lake District Group Visitors In 2014 The endearing and much-loved Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway will be continuing to thrill groups visiting the Lake District in 2014, with both its regular narrow gauge services and a packed events programme, which might just give a group an added reason to visit. Twelve exciting events add to the romantic experience of travelling by steam along the longest narrow gauge railway track in Cumbria, through hidden valleys and awe-inspiring landscapes on an amazing seven-mile journey. Events range from wildlife days, including an RSPB Activity Weekend (June 7 and 8) and a Conservation Day (October 12), to a Family Fun Weekend (May 3-5) and a visit from Postman Pat® (October 4 and 5). Ravenglass and Dalegarth for Boot are the two stations between which Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway gives passengers a really memorable day and atmospheric journey. Ravenglass is the Lake District’s only coastal village and Dalegarth, nestles close to England’s tallest mountains near the village of Boot. Groups of railway enthusiasts always find much to thrill them at the line known locally as ‘The Ratty’, but this year they can get up close to the locomotives Bonnie Dundee and Synolda, which will be on static display at the Family Fun Weekend. Other group visitors to the Railway are often to be seen wearing walking boots – and little wonder! There are many trails and walks to explore from the Railway, whether you are brandishing binoculars and in search of birds, or wandering in search of a waterfall. Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway has its own little gem of a walks booklet in the form of ‘Walks From Ratty’. This was especially written for the Railway by renowned walker, Arthur Wainwright, and it features 10 detailed and illustrated walks, each of which starts and ends at a station on The Ratty’s line. A day out with Ravenglass and Eskdale gives a group the opportunity to drink in stunning scenery, while enjoying the longest and oldest steam railway journey in the Lake District. Passengers are always engrossed in their trip, which features a 1:55 gradient at times and highlights such as Rock Point, hidden Miterdale and the mighty Scafell range. Whether dropping 20 feet to the valley of the River Esk, or slowly climbing the track, there is something to talk about en route throughout the tranquil journey. Services on the Railway start to run again, following a short winter break, during February half term 2014, with a full service commencing in the middle of March and going right through to November 2. During late November and December, the Santa trains run for children and schools and services carry on through the Christmas and New Year period before the locos are allowed to have a little rest. Added to all this are some new developments for 2014. There are new interpretation line panels at key stations thanks to funding from the Hadrian’s Wall Trust and a brand new commentary App to download from www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk or the Railway’s social media pages. Using these tools, you can find out much more about the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Additionally, there is free wi-fi available in both cafes now and also a new webcam at Ravenglass. Bring your group to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and you’ll have a great day out that’s full of memories. More details are at www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk or available by ringing 01229 717171, or emailing [email protected] - ends - Press calls: Jane Hunt, Catapult PR, 01253 891114 – [email protected] New Features At ‘The Ratty’ For 2014! The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, known locally in the Western Lake District as ‘The Ratty’, has introduced some brand new features for 2014. New interpretation and information panels have been installed at the stations of Ravenglass, Dalegarth for Boot, The Green, Fisherground Halt, Irton Road and Beckfoot Halt. These all explain a little bit about the area around the station and provide visitors with some historic background too. At Ravenglass, visitors can read about the Roman fort at Glannaventa and the Eskmeal Dunes, while also learning about wildlife, cycling and the First World War original Pullman coaches that provide unique holiday accommodation. At Dalegarth, there is reference to Scafell Pike, the Eskdale Corn Mill and Hardknott Fort. The Green’s panel informs the visitor about great train photography opportunities, exciting walks and some of the buildings in the village, while at Fisherground, the emphasis is on where the locos can have a drink (at a water tank), and on the wealth of local wildlife. Irton Road’s panel presents the history of the station and references Irton Hall, while Beckfoot Halt’s explains the former importance of iron ore mining in the area and the role of the Beckfoot Quarry. Other new features introduced by the Ravenglass and Eskdale are free wi-fi both at the Turntable Café in Ravenglass and the Fellbites Café at Dalegarth and a new commentary App, which passengers and visitors can download for free, to get more information about the Railway and its local area. This can be downloaded from www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk or the Railway’s social media pages, from which a new webcam at Ravenglass can also be accessed. Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway’s marketing manager, Rachel Bell, says: “Our visitors and passengers are always hungry for more information about The Ratty, because it is such a lovely and very different steam railway, travelling through some amazing countryside, on a long 7-mile line. To satisfy the curiosity of our visitors, we have created information panels for those who wish to learn the traditional way and an App for those who prefer more modern ways of learning. With free wi-fi too, passengers can always get online while enjoying a refreshment or meal and access any other information they seek.” The Ratty will start its services again during February half term, which will give passengers the first opportunity to use the new features and not only travel by steam, but also satisfy a hunger for more facts and figures. ENDS 25 Reasons Why You Should Let Your Group Do The Locomotion With R&E 1. The R&E has a great events programme to enjoy all year round. 2. The line has a heritage stretching back to 1875, when it began life as a three-foot gauge line. 3. Locomotives at the Railway have featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine series. 4. Locomotive River Irt is the oldest working 15” gauge locomotive in the world (built in 1894) while Northern Rock (1976) is the most powerful. 5. The line has an exciting 1:55 gradient for the locos to tackle, plus other challenges, such as twists and turns and rises and falls that all passengers can appreciate during their journey. 6. You will journey through hidden valleys such as Miterdale and Eskdale – the latter being much appreciated by the poet William Wordsworth and Alfred Wainwright, who described it as one of the loveliest of Lakeland valleys. 7. You can travel in an open carriage, an open-sided carriage, or a cosy covered saloon. 8. There is a free line guide for all passengers, a visitor guide for tour leaders and a Meet and Greet service available on request. 9. There are two excellent cafes serving homemade food and two well-stocked gift shops too. You can have reserved café seating for your group and access special group menus as well, if you book ahead. 10. Your journey lasts seven miles – the longest narrow gauge heritage steam train trip in the Lake District – taking 40 minutes each way. 11. The Railway is only 60 minutes from the M6, Junction 40 to the North and Junction 36 to the South and just 50 minutes from the Central Lakes. 12. There is free parking for coaches at Ravenglass. 13. Your group can be assured of level access from the coach to the platforms, cafes, toilets, shops and trains and the carriages are designed to accommodate wheelchairs. 14. You can reserve carriage seating for your group and choose from different reserve options. 15. Drivers and guides travel and eat free. 16. There are toilet facilities at both ends of the line. 17. You can access bespoke interest tours on request, combining train travel with a tour of the Railway’s Museum at Ravenglass. 18. You can visit at any time from March to November and there are also winter trains on specified dates, which can offer you festive food options as an add-on. 19. Your group will start its journey in a coastal nature reserve and end it at the foot of England’s highest mountains. 20. There’s a wide variety of flora and fauna to spot en route, from whitebeam and oystercatchers, to sessile oak and kingfishers and red squirrels and roe deer. 21. Your group can take a unique ‘Walk from Ratty’ following up to 10 special routes written for the Railway by famous walker, Alfred Wainwright. Each one starts and ends at one of our stations.. 22. Your group can see a waterfall that can more than rival Aira Force, if you visit Dalegarth Force on one of the Walks From Ratty. 23. Kids can play in the excellent children’s playground at Dalegarth, which was opened by HRH Princess Alexandra. There are picnic and play areas at both Ravenglass and Dalegarth.