A WEST Cumbrian visitor attraction has been given a prestigious national award.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway has been awarded the Transport Trust’s Red Wheel Plaque, which is the only one of its kind in Cumbria, in recognition of its historical importance.

Martin Cookman, operations manager at Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, said: “Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway are honoured to receive this Red Wheel Plaque. It is testament to the huge contribution the railway has made to the community in Cumbria and to the nation. As the first narrow-gauge railway in England ‘Ratty’ has a special place in the hearts of many generations.”

The plaque was unveiled at a ceremony on Saturday by Eric Robson, writer, broadcaster and chairman of Cumbria Tourism. Colonel Paul Brook of the Transport Trust also attended on the day.

The Red Wheel scheme celebrates transport sites of significant historical value in the United Kingdom. The Transport Trust promotes and encourages the preservation and restoration of Britain’s transport heritage in all its forms across road, rail, wings and water.

Peter Stone, of the Transport Trust, said: “Britain has led the world in transport developments from as early as the 18th century, enabling the industrial revolution and the growth of the British Empire.

“Fortunately, traces of many of these developments can still be found and the Trust is committed to drawing these to the attention of a wider, younger audience. Our Red Wheel programme lists over 800 heritage sites on its website and, at the most important of these, we erect prestigious commemorative plaques. The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway has a fascinating history and the Transport Trust is pleased to award it a Red Wheel in recognition.”

Since opening the railway has carried minerals and passengers on three different gauges of track; standard, 3 foot and 15 inch. Built in 1873 and opening commercially in 1875, the railway’s initial purpose was to transport iron ore mined in the hills above the village of Boot, down to Ravenglass where it could be transferred onto the Furness Railway’s mainline to Barrow. In 1876 the Railway opened to passenger traffic and these trains ran on the narrow gauge of 3ft making Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway the first public narrow gauge Railway in England.

It was in April 1913 that the original 3ft line closed and in 1915 the new 15inch La’al Ratty was born when miniature railway engineer and prolific model makers WJ Bassett-Lowke and R Proctor-Mitchell, (representing Narrow Gauge Railways Ltd) acquired the railway line as a base for testing their little locomotives.

The line was also used to transport granite between Beckfoot Quarry and Murthwaite crushing plant and for a while the line from Murthwaite to Ravenglass the track ran as dual gauge, with a 4 foot 8 1⁄2 inch standard track straddling the 15 inch gauge rails.

Visitors can discover more about the railway’s rich history at the Museum at Ravenglass Station.