Statesman Rail
We are delighted that Statesman Rail’s Lakelander will be visiting the
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway again in 2012.
The excitement here in Ravenglass is palpable on Statesman days! Anyone who can be, is out there to greet the ‘Big’ engine with the Satesman Carriages as it ventures into Ravenglass. These magnificent engines dwarf our own narrow gauge engines who whistle their respect to the big boys!
Passengers alighting from the Lakelander will be met by a member of Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway staff and directed the short distance from the mainline station onto La’al Ratty. Then the day is yours!
Pause and visit the “Turntable Café” on platform 1 at Ravenglass for refreshments, watch the engines on the turntable and soak in the atmosphere, before boarding one of our own trains. Or you may prefer to head ‘up the line’ straight away.
Whatever you decide, our narrow gauge trains – the majority of which will be steam hauled - will be running at least twice an hour to take you on the glorious 7 mile journey through spectacular scenery from the Lake District National Park’s only coastal village into the heart of the Eskdale Valley. In Eskdale you can view the skyline from Scafell to Harter Fell, take a gentle stroll to St Catherines Church or along the banks of the River Esk. Discover our lovely waterfall or admire the workings of England’s oldest working water powered corn mill at Boot.
There are a number of pubs offering good beer and good food within walking distance, or you can remain on Dalegarth Station where there is our own Fellbites Café and Scafell Gift shop. Linger and browse for Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway souvenirs, Lake District mementoes or that special little ‘something’.
There are 3 Lakelander excursions visiting the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway next year picking up at a huge number of stations – there’s bound to be one near you!
Saturday 28 July 2012 Departing From:
Kettering (06.00/22.45) Market Harborough (06.15/22.30) Leicester (06.30/22.10) Loughborough (06.50/21.45) East Midlands Parkway (07.00/21.35) Langley Mill (07.20/21.15) Alfreton (07.35/21.00) Chesterfield (07.45/20.50) Chinley (08.30/20.10) Hazel Grove (08.40/19.55) Stockport (08.50/19.45)
Saturday 4 August 2012 Departing From:
Milton Keynes (06.30/22.30) Northampton (06.50/22.10) Rugby (07.10/21.50) Coventry (07.30/21.30) Bedworth (07.40/21.15) Nuneaton (07.50/21.05) Tamworth (08.10/20.45) Lichfield (08.20/20.35) Stafford (08.45/20.10) Crewe (09.15/19.40)
Saturday 11 August 2012 Departing From:
Swindon (05.30/23.50) Kemble (05.40/23.35) Stroud (06.00/23.15) Stonehouse (06.10/23.05) Cheltenham Spa (06.30/22.45) Worcester Shrub Hill (07.00/22.15) Droitwich Spa (07.10/22.05) Kidderminster (07.20/21.55) Stourbridge Jct (07.40/21.35) Tame Bridge Parkway (07.40/20.45) Wolverhampton (08.40/20.35)
The Statesman’ travels around the Cumbrian Coast, probably the most stunningly beautiful scenic coastal line in England through an area steeped in maritime history with spectacular views of the Lake District Mountains and the wide panoramic expanse of Morecambe Bay on the journey to Ravenglass. Leaving the main line at Carnforth we depart past the ‘Brief Encounter’ Refreshment Room made famous in the classic 1945 movie, after picking up speed we pass Silverdale and cross the first of the two spectacular viaducts over the River Kent at Arnside with stunning views across Morecambe Bay. Continuing through the Victorian resort of Grange-over-Sands and Ulverston we continue across the Furness peninsula where the views of the Irish Sea and Lakeland Mountains are truly spectacular before arriving at the pretty coastal hamlet of Ravenglass around 12.40 for a break of up to four hours. Please note the Lakelander Carriages will be hauled by a diesel engine.
For full details of all Statesman excursions please go to www.statesmanrail.com
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - Tel: 01229 717171 | Email: steam@ravenglass-railway.co.uk | Site by Cypher