News
Lake cruises with one big difference - location!
Buy a full line return ticket on the Railway and receive a voucher to cruise on one of our 'Steamers' at half-price.
www.ullswatersteamers.co.uk
Glenridding Pier House, Glenridding, Cumbria CA11 0US - 017684 82229
All our news is good news!
Forthcoming happenings, news and views, opinions and nostalgia - that's the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway E-newsletter. Fill in your details on our 'Contact' page - (message box - E newsletter please) and the job's done!
Who's got the 'ESK' Factor? YOU DECIDE!
Here at the Railway, we love all our locos; however, over a period of many years we have overheard snippets of conversations, debating which train is the 'fastest', 'longest' and even 'prettiest'. It occurred to us that everyone who visits the Railway, young and old, has a favourite engine!
This year our locomotives will be going head to head to battle for the affection of The Nation, to finally determine which of our engines is the peoples favourite in our 'Esk' Factor Facebook Poll. Are you infatuated with Irt or a devoted Douglas Ferreira fan? It's time to vote. Visit our Facebook page to take part in the poll and help decide who has the 'ESK' factor!
You will need to be logged into your facebook account to view our page.
Santa Claus has come to town!
That's it for another year! Santa Claus has come to town, he's spread his magic and delivered presents for all the good little boys and girls. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway was no exception! Saint Nick made some very special appearances throughout December on our magical Santa Express and spread some Christmas cheer throughout the land! One of our very special visitors was lucky enough to capture jolly old Santa in a photo! To ensure you catch a glimpse of the man himself, booking for our 2012 Santa Express will be going live soon. So watch this space!
Statesman Rail
Back for another year is our popular excursion option for Statesman Rail. Board the fantastic steam loco 'The Lakelander' and prepare yourself for a picturesque West Coast steam journey, taking in some of England's most outstanding scenery! You can now combine a trip on 'The Lakelander' with a journey on The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.. For full details and to book these exclusive tours visit: www.statesmanrail.com.
Private Functions
Just in time for the New Year, our new Private Charter and menu options are now available.. So you can celebrate your special occasion with steam and style! For more information on Private Charters please refer to the Ravenglass and Dalegarth pages for hire information or call 01229 717171.
Wild Zone
Visit our media pages to find out about Wild Zone - helping to promote the wildlife and wild places of Cumbria www.wildzonecumbria.org
Party Time
The new Childrens menus for both cafes, private function & train charter options plus special group menus for great days out are now ready to view. Visit the Ravenglass, Dalegarth and Group pages for our NEW menu options at both ends of the line.
2011 – A Celebratory Year
2011 saw the 50th anniversary of the saving of the Railway from closure. Under the ownership of the Wakefield Family of Kendal, the Railway has seen great advances. In recent years the old station at Dalegarth has been replaced by a brand-new purpose built visitor centre with Fellbites Cafe, Retail Emporium and Railway themed outside Play Area. This year we have a NEW cafe at Ravenglass "The Turntable" with another fabulous outside Adventure Playground by the engine terminus.
We’re hoping you’ll visit us this year, take advantage of the new facilities and of course continue to marvel at our little steam engines ranging from River Irt, now a sprightly 117 years old, River Esk, 1923, an octogenarian still but rapidly approaching 90, and the youngsters, River Mite 1966 and Northern Rock 1976. That’s us in a nutshell really. Modern facilities designed to afford maximum comfort and an inbuilt love of heritage steam now of 50 years standing.
Check out our events page …
The Visitor’s Guide
We’ve always tried to offer a little extra to our visitors in terms of a souvenir booklet about the Railway and its surroundings. Late in the 2009 season our latest (and certainly most lavish to date) Visitor’s Guide made its appearance. Extending to over 50 pages this new version is packed with both colour and archive photography and takes the reader for a fascinating journey along the line, through its lengthy history and beyond to the surrounding fells, flowers and fauna. Retailing at £4.90, here’s a guide we think you won’t want to miss.
The Pullman Holiday Coaches
The two Pullman Holiday Coaches “Elmira” and “Maid of Kent”, owned by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, are the last of these historic vehicles still available for public hire. Situated alongside the R&ER Station at Ravenglass the coaches provide an ideal base from which to explore the largely unknown delights of the Western Lake District.
There has been a community at Ravenglass since Roman times and today it is an unspoilt village situated on the estuary of the rivers Esk, Mite and Irt. There is a small Post Office and General Stores and two inns that serve meals. “The Ratty Arms” is the Railways’ own pub and is a conversion of the main line station building.
Originally built as Ambulance Cars during the First World War these coaches now each provide comfortable holiday accommodation for up to six people in three separate bedrooms. All bedrooms have double power points and heaters. One has twin beds and the other two have full size bunk beds. Bedding is provided but towels etc. should be brought with you. There is a washbasin with cold water in each bedroom. The kitchen is equipped with electric hot water boiler, cooker, microwave, fridge and all the necessary pans, crockery and cutlery. During the evenings enjoy the style of the Edwardian, inlaid-wood panelled, Living Room that comes complete with such modern comforts as colour television and night-store heater and electric fire. Each coach has its own toilet and self-heating shower compartment. Electricity costs are included in the hire fee.
For the duration of your stay you can explore to your heart’s content as a free ticket to travel on the Railway is given to the person booking the coach, while everyone else in the camping coach can travel at quarter fare for the duration of the holiday. A reduction is also given for entry into the Castle and Grounds at Muncaster.
To check availability in 2011 please send a message via email or call 01229 717171
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - Tel: 01229 717171 | Email: steam@ravenglass-railway.co.uk | Site by Cypher