Cumbria's forgotten railways

[The_Rail_WAy]

Cumbria is home to 5 significant railways, 3 we see and hear about reguarly, the short but delightful standard gauge Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, and the two narrow guage railways Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in the west and the Alston Railway in the east.

However the Eden Valley Railway has so much potential but is vastly underused. Currently only having 2 miles of track in use and looking rather unorganized and scruffy I was wondering why the line has hardly been developed over the last ten years, as if it reached its full potential it could be one of the best lines in the north.

And although the site at Kirby Stephen East has been developed as a museum its running length at present is pitiful, are there any plans to extend in the near future?

Cumbria has a great railway heritage both past and present, the Cumbria Coast line is stunning, the west coast mainline is stunning from Carnforth to Penrith, the Settle Carlsile line is spectacular - it would be great to see some of Cumbrias lost lines return in the future - Haverthwaite to Ulverston, Penrith to Keswick or even the Coniston line. They may never happen, but it would be great if they did.

Cumbria home of great railways, home of great railway memories.

 

[Bevan Price]

Cumbria is home to 5 significant railways, 3 we see and hear about reguarly, the short but delightful standard gauge Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, and the two narrow guage railways Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in the west and the Alston Railway in the east.

However the Eden Valley Railway has so much potential but is vastly underused. Currently only having 2 miles of track in use and looking rather unorganized and scruffy I was wondering why the line has hardly been developed over the last ten years, as if it reached its full potential it could be one of the best lines in the north.

And although the site at Kirby Stephen East has been developed as a museum its running length at present is pitiful, are there any plans to extend in the near future?

.

See :-

http://www.visitcumbria.com/evnp/eden-valley-railway/

This shows that two separate organisations are involved, but they eventually hope to link Kirkby Stephen East & Appleby East stations. Stainmore Railway Company is based at Kirkby Stephen East.

Eden Valley Railway is based at Warcop and runs towards Appleby (but does not yet reach Appleby West station, I believe.)

Unfortunately, Warcop is almost inaccessible by public transport (one bus return journey, Kirkby Stephen to Penrith & return, Tuesdays only)

.

 

[Bertie the bus]

If you consider these railways pitiful and to have great potential I’m sure either or both would appreciate your donations of both cash and labour to help them achieve this potential.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

If you consider these railways pitiful and to have great potential I’m sure either or both would appreciate your donations of both cash and labour to help them achieve this potential.

Hi Bertie,

If I was a multi-millionaire and had the strength of a thousand men I would.

Thanks Bertie.

 

[yorksrob]

I did get to the Eden Valley railway once and enjoyed it very much (not least because it has a southern region thumper !) However, as a non driver, it was difficult to get to. If they ever reach Appleby, it might take off a bit more.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

I did get to the Eden Valley railway once and enjoyed it very much (not least because it has a southern region thumper !) However, as a non driver, it was difficult to get to. If they ever reach Appleby, it might take off a bit more.

Very little progress has been made over the last few years, the website is poor, locomotives and rolling stock look scruffy, site itself looks scruffy.

With a tidy up and expansion fulfilled it has the potential to be a great line. Especially with steam running.

 

[robbeale]

I would add the Threlkeld Quarry railway to your list. I don't know how you are defining "significant" though. It is certainly longer the Kirkby Stephen East's railway.
Threlkeld have a lovely mile length of track spiralling to the head of the quarry past an interesting display of old excavators which are sometimes in use too.
Steam galas are also an annual occurance now too.

 

[Cowley]

I would add the Threlkeld Quarry railway to your list. I don't know how you are defining "significant" though. It is certainly longer the Kirkby Stephen East's railway.
Threlkeld have a lovely mile length of track spiralling to the head of the quarry past an interesting display of old excavators which are sometimes in use too.
Steam galas are also an annual occurance now too.

Whenever I see a photo of that line it always looks really good, especially the backdrop of the lovely scenery and the old excavators.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I would add the Threlkeld Quarry railway to your list. I don't know how you are defining "significant" though. It is certainly longer the Kirkby Stephen East's railway.
Threlkeld have a lovely mile length of track spiralling to the head of the quarry past an interesting display of old excavators which are sometimes in use too.
Steam galas are also an annual occurance now too.

I went to the Threlkeld Quarry last year when the railway was running with steam traction, it was brilliant. If anyone is in that area and it's running do go on it.

I also visited the Eden Valley Railway and we were asked to sign a petition in connection with their planned extention, I think they have all the permissions to go ahead but a problem had just come up, but I can not recall what that problem was? We drove past the above mentioned Stainmore railway and until I just read this thread I was unsure what that was all about. If the lines were all joined up again that would be great, a decent length of running track.