It is full steam ahead for a Cumbrian railway offering a number of rare opportunities for atmospheric train experiences scheduled over the festive period.

Cumbria’s Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is hosting two special heritage train weekends, alongside daily scheduled services during the Christmas period.

Taking place on the weekends of December 26-27 and January 2-3, the heritage railway weekends will give passengers the chance to pre-book open carriage journeys on two vintage locomotives: Katie – which dates back almost 125 years – and the railway’s well-loved Atlantic-type locomotive Synolda, built in 1912.

A spokesman for Cumbria’s Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway said: "These are rare opportunities to recreate the same atmospheric train experiences people would have enjoyed when they made the scenic journey between Ravenglass and Dalegarth in the heyday of steam travel, more than a century ago.

"Each trip also includes two static photo opportunities – a ‘must do’ for everyone from young families to heritage enthusiasts alike."