A special weekend of fun at the railway

The Western Lake District’s Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is planning a major series of celebrations from Saturday 30 April until Monday 2 May to celebrate 50 years since its salvation from closure.

Back in 1961, the narrow gauge railway was on the verge of being broken up and sold off in lots, but the efforts of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Preservation Society allowed it to be saved.  The railway today carries around 125,000 passengers a year, bringing pleasure to families, other visitors and railway enthusiasts alike.

A host of entertainment will be laid on at Dalegarth station throughout a special jubilee weekend running over the bank holiday.

A special double-headed train, drawn by two visiting locomotive – Signolda and Count Louis – will depart Ravenglass at 10.10am on Saturday 30 April.

The locos will be at Dalegarth throughout the weekend, when a variety of things to do will thrill all the family. Other activities include an along-the-line engine quiz for kids, circus drop-in sessions at Dalegarth every day, shows by children’s magician Stu-di-Doo on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 May and owls from the World Owl Trust on Thursday 30 April.

There will also be live music from the Egremont town band and morris dancing from Two Headed Sheep. A hand-turned musical roundabout, the fairground organ ‘Magic Flute’, vintage omnibuses and model railway exhibition will add to the nostalgia and fun can be had with a photo-based guessing competition.

The railway’s jubilee will also be celebrated with a competition to find the ‘best-dressed passenger in 1960s gear travelling on the 2.30pm service on Monday 2 May. The winner will be treated to a champagne journey, in a private carriage with up to twelve friends to be taken on a later date.

Tickets for rail travel and all entertainment over the special jubilee weekend cost £13 for an adult and £7 for a child aged 3-15.

For more information visit www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk