Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's First Operating Day of 2023

La'al Ratty has opened up to the public for the first time in 2023 during the local schools' half-term.
Not quite everything went according to plan and the Lake District weather gods were neither so kind nor so cruel as they might have been - but I enjoyed my day amidst the beautiful Lakeland scenery, filming and riding on this historic 15-inch gauge railway.
Enjoy it with me!

[@artfedigan5543]

Thanks Tim! Great visit!

[@schoolshorts]

Sorry Art - I've just spotted your comment, for which many thanks. Yes, it was an enjoyable day even if all didn't go entirely to plan. Best wishes.

[@jetcat120]

Thank you for this lovely video. We are staying in Ravenglass at the end of May 2023 and plan on a trip on the Train there.

[@schoolshorts]

I've just this evening arrived back from four nights in a tent (at my age!!) at Ravenglass filming the R&ER Gala celebrating the 100th birthday of River Esk - unfortunately not blessed by much in the way of good weather - but that's the Lake District for you! So - there should be a few more Ratty videos coming online in the next few days.
Enjoy your visit to this lovely part of the world. Best wishes.

[@charleshart6992]

Another great video!

[@schoolshorts]

- - - just imagine what it might have been if River Mite were running and the sun was shining!

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

Nice.

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Laurence - it's always nice on La'al Ratty!

[@breeze1472]

I could listen to your narration all day its so soothing,sure you havent worked on TV voice overs?

[@schoolshorts]

I should have been so lucky!!! Thanks for your kind comment. Best wishes.

[@cedarcam]

Shame about the diesel box but at least the weather got better for you later and you managed some drone video. Another enjoyable video.

[@schoolshorts]

Well - better diesel than nothing!

[@tattoo1084]

Splendid footage once again Tim. Ended up being a half decent day in the end.👍

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks David - it turned out better than I had feared.

[@stepheng7586]

Great video as usual Tim! I would have been disappointed if the train I had booked was diesel hauled instead of steam,but its better than a cancelled train I suppose!

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Stephen. One simply has to be philosophical on these occasions - I would have preferred to have travelled behind River Mite - and MUCH preferred to have filmed her - rather than a diesel box - but the alternative would have been to have been stuck at Ravenglass in the rain. Not an attractive proposition.

[@jimmystransportmarvels8815]

Are they going to have a special gala for River esk being 100 years old??

[@schoolshorts]

Yes indeed. The information will eventually be posted on the railway's website ravenglass-railway.co.uk/events
Keep an eye on it!

[@jimmystransportmarvels8815]

@@schoolshorts ah. Thank you

[@johnsamson-snell9558]

I’m a avid railway enthusiast but I’m very sad that some have decided to retain the draconian restrictions on travel put down to COVID. My view is that this is an excuse. My problem is that I live in the South East of England and travel, mostly by train, to visit the heritage lines. Given the current unreliability of trains I cannot always commit to forward booking. The result is that if my journey to a heritage line includes public transport and if that heritage line insists on prior booking, I just can’t take the risk so I don’t go. So here’s a plea to all heritage lines. Please also allow walk up travellers. Because given the current state of public transport uncertainty, one cannot always plan ahead. So don’t go on about reduced passenger numbers when the heritage lines make it so difficult for passengers to travel. I totally understand the increased costs. Particularly of coal. But if you make it more difficult for us “enthusiasts” to travel, then we will stop trying.

[@schoolshorts]

I sympathise - I've just returned from another day on La'al Ratty and, on the last train down the line there were just four other passengers and one staff member as well as myself. Official restrictions and reality are not always the same. Covid, I fear, has much to answer for.

[@MrOldmeg]

Not quite as good as the triple header from your last outing but very enjoyable viewing.

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks John. I'd have settled very happily for a single engine up-front if it had been a steamer! Luck of the draw, I'm afraid.