Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Heritage railway in Cumbria, England.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a narrow-gauge line running from the coast at Ravenglass through rolling countryside to Dalegarth, roughly 11 kilometers inland. The route follows the Mite river before climbing through wooded valleys, passing meadows and rocky hillsides.
The line opened in 1875 to carry iron ore from mines near Boot down to the coast, originally built for freight wagons. After mining declined in the 1870s, it was converted for passenger use and began carrying visitors in 1876.
The line passes through old mining country, where stone quarries and abandoned shafts still mark the route. Local families often use the trains to reach walking trails into Eskdale valley, where paths branch directly from the stations.
Most trains run several times daily from spring through autumn, with more frequent service during good weather. Visitors planning to get off at intermediate stops should tell the train crew in advance.
The route passes through land once part of Hadrian's Wall frontier zone, skirting remains of Roman fortifications. Some of England's smallest steam locomotives run here, built for the tight gauge of just 15 inches (381 millimeters).
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