Cumbria

The railway was saved in 1961 by a preservation society

An historic Cumbrian railway is celebrating 50 years since a campaign group saved it from closure.

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway was under threat in the early 1960s when the line was put up for sale.

No buyer was found so a preservation society was formed - then in 1961 two railway enthusiasts put up the money to buy the line.

50 years later, on Mothering Sunday, 50 mothers will be given free gifts on the steam railway.

Industrial beginnings

The narrow gauge line started life as an industrial transport route, opening in 1875. Iron ore from Boot was taken to the coast at Ravenglass for export.

But there were problems with the iron ore; the line was soon declared bankrupt and finally closed in 1913.

Its next life began two years later as a testing track for locomotives running in harsh conditions.

Later granite quarried at Beckfoot was carried down the line by the Keswick Granite Company but in 1960 it announced the railway would close.

Local people and railway enthusiasts soon rallied round, forming the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society.

Saving the railway

With an auction date looming, the future did not look bright until at the eleventh hour two wealthy benefactors stepped in; Colin Gilbert, a Midlands stockbroker and Sir Wavell Wakefield, a local landowner.

The railway was saved and became part of the Wakefield family business. New coaches were build, the Ravenglass station re-done and a new locomotive - Northern Rock - was put into service.

In 2005 a new station and visitor centre were built at Dalegarth.

Fifty years since the line faced closure, the railway is offering 50 goodie bags to mothers this Mothering Sunday.

The first 50 mums to travel on a full line return journey on April 3, 2011 will receive a selection of free gifts and vouchers.

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