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News

Hopefully with a spring in our step …

With the majority of our annual programme of track renewal out of the way, we’re gearing up to the start of our main season on Saturday 20th March. Until then we are open each weekend running five trains out of Ravenglass every Saturday and Sunday. With the first train on its way at 10.30am and the last train back from Dalegarth not leaving until 3.50pm that’s a great opportunity to explore Eskdale – our cafes are in full swing and the shops will be busy displaying a wealth of new gifts too.

Coming soon …

Saving our Red Squirrels from extinction is a high priority to us. Joining forces with our sister company Lake District Estates and the Peter Rabbit Shops in Bowness-on-Windermere, Keswick and York, plus manufacturer’s Rainbow Designs, we’ll be selling an exclusive Squirrel Nutkin soft toy and donating part of the proceeds to Save our Squirrels. Squirrel Nutkin is expected before Easter and we’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, Charlotte Widgery of the Save our Squirrels charity says:

‘This charity works to conserve the red squirrels, just like Squirrel Nutkin, in the North of England. SoS aims to ensure the long term survival of the species through a combination of education, fundraising, data collection, advice and practical conservation techniques. For more information visit www.saveoursquirrels.org’

Check out our events page …

Are you a member of the Wainwright Society?

Check out our ‘walking’ page for confirmation of our offer to all card carrying members. For none members wanting to know more, dive across to our links page to access the Wainwright Society’s website.

If you are an admirer of Wainwright’s exquisite sketches, this year we are stocking Wainwright mugs, coasters and more in the Scafell Gift Shop each of which features a great AW illustration. (Stock anticipated to be in by Easter – please enquire.)

Join the Lakelander experience with Statesman Rail

Saturday 29th May, Sunday 19th June (Father’s Day), Saturday 17th July, Saturday 7th August.

We are delighted to have been able to offer that little extra to what is guaranteed to be a wonderful day out for rail enthusiasts and country lovers alike.

Statesman Rail are offering four Saturday’s of unrivalled excellence with the opportunity for visitors from many areas of the country to travel to historic ‘Brief Encounter’ Carnforth station where their train will then be hauled by a historic and beautifully restored steam locomotive for the journey along the Cumbrian Coastal Line.

Most regard the Cumbrian Coastal line as one of the most scenic in the country with stunning views across Morecambe Bay and the delights of the Furness peninsula and the Irish Sea to the left and a panorama of Lakeland fells to the right. Two spectacular viaducts and a hard work ascent of Lindal Bank make the journey even more enjoyable.

Various options are open to travellers but we inevitably think the best one is to leave the train at Ravenglass and join our little engines as they travel to the foot of England’s highest mountains. Our offer is discount this optional extra from the standard ticket price per adult of £11.20 to just £7.00 and children (aged 5-15) from £5.60 to £4.00 per head. Statesman Rail handle the administration and request pre-booking at the same time as the main tour.

Travellers will arrive in Ravenglass at approximately 12.40pm and depart from the village towards 4.30pm – so there’s plenty of time to travel with us, have a bite to eat, take a short stroll in Eskdale, or indulge in a little retail therapy.

Please see our links page for Statesman Rail’s website and full details … do it NOW … we think that here are four days not to missed.

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.

CHARGES FOR 2010 SEASON –

Weeks commencing Saturday 20th March – w/c Saturday 22nd May £280.00

Weeks commencing Saturday 29th May – w/c Saturday 28th August £380.00

Weeks commencing Saturday 4th September – w/c Saturday 23rd October £260.00

The hire charges are irrespective of the number of people occupying the coach and are inclusive of VAT

To check current availability please send a message via our ‘contact’ page, or ‘phone Dave Jenner on 01229 717171 weekdays between 9.00am and 5.00pm

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - Tel: 01229 717171  |  Email: steam@ravenglass-railway.co.uk  |  Site by Cypher