Events
Steam and Romans
Every Wednesday May to end of October
Following the great success of this innovative package sponsored by Hadrian’s Wall Heritage in 2007, we’ve extended the offer, covering far more weeks in the year.
As a result, we are running the ‘Steam and Romans’ itinerary every Wednesday from 7th May to 29th October inclusive ...
Here’s an extract from one of the many letters we received:
"It was a totally enjoyable experience ... Everything went very smoothly, train and motor travel well co-ordinated. Of course you have the advantage of having some splendid things to show people and we had a very knowledgeable and interesting guide. ... On our own we would not have made this trip, which would have been a shame ..."
Meeting the guide for the day at Ravenglass station, the package kicks off with a short walk to the nearby bathhouse of the Roman Fort of Glannaventa, the remains of which are amongst the most substantial in the country.
Next it’s a steam train through Miterdale and Eskdale to Dalegarth and Fellbites, where a freshly prepared lunch is served.
Then it’s off by luxury mini buses to ascend the notorious Hardknott pass with its hairpin bends and 1-in-3 gradients. Mediobogdum, the Roman name for this stone-built fort, stands on a plateau about halfway up the ascent. The footings of the fort survive and the guide brings these to life, while also describing just what can be seen from this spectacular vantage point. Even the Isle of Man is visible on a clear day!
Following more than adequate time for exploration and photography, it is back to Dalegarth to catch the steam train bound for Ravenglass.
For all participators to enjoy this outstanding day out to the full we have to restrict numbers to 24-people per week. Pre-booking is therefore essential. The cost including both steam travel and lunch is just £19.90 per head.
New for 2008!
Celebrating Paddington’s 50th Anniversary Year
Saturday 4th October and Sunday 5th October
Here’s a wonderful opportunity to bring the children along for a fun-packed day featuring one of the country’s best loved characters …
There’s an extensive schedule of Paddington Express trains and great added value extras …
Travelling children receive
- Free ‘Look after this child’ luggage label
- Free Paddington flag
- Free entry to one of five daily shows with a top children’s entertainer
- Free colouring sheets
Plus we’ve got
- Frequent appearances by Paddington at Dalegarth station with ample opportunity for children to shake paws with Paddington, or for you to take pictures of your children with our famous visitor.
- Face painting – full or partial – wow, they’re great!
- Big screen DVD playing throughout …
The fares for a return journey on either of the two days of the Paddington Anniversary Year event are Adults £11.00 and Children aged three and over £6.00. A family consisting of two adults and two children travel at the discounted price of £30.00
The Paddington Express weekend train times – applicable to both Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October
| Ravenglass departures |
Dalegarth departures |
|---|---|
10.30am 11.10am 11.30am 11.50am 12.10pm 12.50pm 1.30pm 1.50pm 2.10pm 2.30pm 2.50pm 3.30pm 3.50pm |
11.30am 12.10pm 12.30pm 1.10pm 1.30pm 1.50pm 2.30pm 2.50pm 3.10pm 3.30pm 4.10pm 4.30pm 4.50pm |
Although THERE IS NO NEED TO BOOK to travel on the train, we do have a great offer for you too!
Child’s Paddington Lunch Box and Travel Ticket
Pre-book and pay for a super Paddington Lunch Box, which also includes a child’s return ticket to travel on any train – for the all inclusive price of £9.50.
Either
Collect your tickets and Paddington Lunch Box at Ravenglass and let the kids eat as they travel on the train
Or …
Collect your ticket at Ravenglass booking office and a voucher to pick up your Paddington Lunch Box at Dalegarth.
Phone Dave on 01229 717171 to confirm your Paddington menu choices and to book. Payments by card accepted.
For further general information, please phone Dave on 01229 717171, or E-mail him – dave@ravenglass-railway.co.uk
PS – lots of Paddington stock in our shops – plush toys, original, traditional and classic, nursery china, aprons, totes and a veritable cauldron of marmalade on sale too.
Bigger and better for 2008!
The Ghost Trains
1st & 2nd November and by popular request on Halloween night too
Friday 31st October
Times: two trains per night – first departure 5.30pm, second departure 5.50pm
Due to popular demand we’ve added more trains to our after hours ghostly goings-on at Halloween time …
When all the good engines are neatly tucked up in their shed out come the ghost trains! The first one leaves Ravenglass at 5.30pm and this is shadowed by the spectre of a second at 5.50pm.
As we’ve only room to frighten a combination of 100 adults and children per train, pre-booking is required. So reserve your places now at £12.00 per head for adults and £6.00 for children aged 5-years and over … all children travelling will receive a free halloweeny gift!
After travelling behind one of our specially decorated trains and in one of the spooky carriages directly to the terminus at Dalegarth, it’s time to be suitably frightened while enjoying – if that’s the right word - what Dragonius Soupus has been concocting. The boss, Countess Karen von Draconius, would like guidance on what people are eating. Think Dead Man’s Fingers – hot dogs, boiled blood soup – tomato soup, cakes and buns! Please discuss your requirements when booking. (Sorry, food is not included in the ticket price.) This is one ‘evening of distinctly ‘orrid ‘appenings!
As you travel back to Ravenglass there’s a distinct possibility that horrible spectres will be spotted at Irton Road and The Green for Eskdale Green Village stations, and perhaps at other points on the line too!
Train one starts its return journey from Dalegarth at 7.00pm and train two disappears into the mists in the valley at 7.20pm.
To book or for more details please contact Dave Jenner on 01229 717171, or E-mail dave@ravenglass-railway.co.uk
Steam, Steak and Ale
8th/9th & 15th/16th November
Pre-book your seats on the 12 noon train from Ravenglass to revel in a choice of meaty lunches.
For the hearty eater there’s steak cooked how you like it – as rare as blood red rare can be, right through to incinerated to little more than a cinder! What’s more your meal is washed down with a bottle of our very own Ratty ale, courtesy of Hesket Newmarket Brewery! All-in price of £25 per head including full-line return journey by steam.
Or …
Home prepared succulent steak and ale pie, with beef reared in Cumbria. Again washed down with a bottle of Ratty Ale – a ‘real ale’ of distinction. All-in price of £19.50.
After lunch take a stroll in the valley, or spend time in the Scafell Gift Shop, or browse our Romans in Eskdale exhibition, before returning on the 3.00pm train from Dalegarth.
To book, or discuss further details including children’s options, please contact Dave Jenner on 01229 717171 or E-mail him dave@ravenglass-railway.co.uk
25-years of Santa Trains
Saturdays and Sundays 29/30th November, 6/7th December, 13/14th December, 20/21st December, and weekdays Mon 22nd, and Tuesday 23rd December!
Incredible as it may sound, we’ve been inviting Santa to visit us for a quarter of a century now and each year he’s delighted children with great presents and entertainment as they travel on the magical Santa Express trains. This year’s event will be even better if that’s possible.
We’ve three trains out of Ravenglass each Santa day – at 10.00am, 12.30pm and 3.00pm. The exception to this schedule is the first weekend, when there are two trains each day, the 3.00pm being deleted.
Our previous six carriage trains have been increased to eight heated ones, ensuring that more people can travel and crucially can travel together as a family.
When a booking is made your seats are reserved – so there’s no scrabble to find a seat. We also accept card payments now – much more convenient than a cheque.
As in recent years, Jan’s café at Ravenglass will be serving pre-booked Christmas lunches, details of which are included on September’s booking forms.
So as Santa’s elves have been so busy preparing for his visit to Eskdale in 2008, it’s definitely the time to add your names to the Santa mailing list. This guarantees that when our Santa package goes out in September, you’ll be amongst the first to know and will have the opportunity to go for the time and day you really want!
As in recent years, Dave Jenner is our Senior Elf – contact him now on 01229 717171, or better still E-mail him - dave@ravenglass-railway.co.uk – to register your interest and to receive a booking form during September.
And finally --
There are a series of mainline steam excursions to Ravenglass planned. Check out Kingfisher Railtours site on our link page for another special day out involving travel on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway – the Lake Districts, oldest, longest and most scenic Railway.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - Tel: 01229 717171 | Email: steam@ravenglass-railway.co.uk | Site by Cypher