The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Museum.
Synolda, especially when in steam, is a favourite exhibit from the collections.
The Museum was closed during 2016/2017, as an extensive new display space was under construction. This was opened in late June 2017 by Paul Atterbury.
SRR built a "walk-through replica" of the 3ft gauge "Big Saloon" - which is displayed in the footprint of the original building.
The museum collection and displays cover the original 3ft gauge railway which ran from 1875 to 1913, primarily built to move haematite iron ore and later gramite, passenger services were somewhat secondary. After 1915 the line was bought by Bassett-Lowke and converted to 15inch gauge. In 1960 the L'aal Ratty was saved again. Currently a highly popular tourist railway.
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The first group of images shows the construction of the extension building. The second - and largest section is the restoration & conservation of the "Big Saloon" and the third section shows some of the official opening day celebrations.
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The T'owd Ratty, as the 3ft line is referred to, has almost completely disappeared - apart from some visible trackbed and ruined buildings near to the village of Boot - so most of the information has been gleaned from photographs and other records. There is a modern, replica ore / granite tipper, using original wheels. The sole remaining item of original rolling stock are some sections of the "Big Saloon". A grant has been obtained to rebuild and significantly extend the museum as well as the exhibits.
Stanegate Restorations were commissioned to build a "walk through" version of the 3ft gauge "Big Saloon" and incorporate as much as possible of the remains from 1877. This was completely built and painted at Haltwhistle, before being re-erected and fitted out in Ravenglass.
The new museum, including the "Big Saloon" replica / restoration amongst the displays, was officially inaugurated by Paul Atterbury, one of the presenters for the BBC "Antiques Roadshow" , followed by a buffet lunch and a special train.
PS. the blue engine "Synolda" is (during 2019/2020) undergoing overhaul.
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Museum.
Synolda, especially when in steam, is a favourite exhibit from the collections.
The Museum was closed during 2016/2017, as an extensive new display space was under construction. This was opened in late June 2017 by Paul Atterbury.
SRR built a "walk-through replica" of the 3ft gauge "Big Saloon" - which is displayed in the footprint of the original buildi…
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