Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway joins nationwide campaign ‘Love Your Railway’
Written by John Williamson on 21/07/2022
Cumbria’s beloved Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is joining forces with heritage railways across the UK this summer, to raise awareness of their importance as a tourism destination, educating and telling the rich story of Britain’s railways, along with providing local jobs and volunteer community engagement.
Following the enormous success in 2021, the second annual ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign brings together over 50 organisations from as far afield as Scotland, Snowdonia, Leighton Buzzard and Cumbria.
It aims to shine a spotlight on Britain’s heritage railways and encourage visitors to hop on board and support them this summer.
Spearheaded by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), ‘Love Your Railway’ is a six-week campaign which runs over the summer holidays from 25th July to 4th September, with weekly themes covering conservation, education and research.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and its fellow heritage railways from across the UK carry more than 13 million passengers each year, cover 560 miles of railway line and contribute £400 million in economic impact.
Meanwhile 22,000 volunteers and over 4,000 paid employees keep the UK’s heritage railways on track, highlighting the significant role railways played through the industrial revolution.
The iconic Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England – affectionately known to locals as ‘La’al Ratty’. The family-owned attraction takes a spectacular seven-mile steam-train journey across the Western Lake District and was first built in 1873.
Today approximately 140 volunteers help to keep Ratty on track, working together with permanent staff to operate the award-winning railway as one team. Volunteers bring individual skills, generosity, and enthusiasm to enhance the high level of service and become a part of the rich history of the railway.
Stephen Oates, Chief Executive at The Heritage Railway Association, said: “In 2021 ‘Love Your Railway’ secured collaborations from as far afield as Cornwall, Suffolk, North Wales, North East Scotland and Northern Ireland, with over 55 heritage railway organisations taking part. We’ve really proud to back this campaign and look forward to seeing many more rail organisations get involved in the inaugural campaign.”
The six themed weeks are: History, Conservation, Partnerships, Family, Volunteers and Education. Throughout the campaign heritage railways are encouraging visitors and supporters to get involved and share photos and memories of their visits on social media using #LoveYourRailway
