Until it gets too big, I'll add news reports about the old 3ft. gauge Eskdale railway to this page in chronological order, when I (or the estimable Mr Ashforth) happen to spot them.
Cumberland Pacquet, 6 Oct 1874
RAVENGLASS AND ESKDALE RAILWAY- In a recent issue [in an article which I'll put online if I ever find it] we referred to the proposed construction of a railway from Ravenglass to Eskdale. This is now an accomplished fact. The works were commenced at the latter end of February last, and since that date the whole of the land, with the exception of a very short piece, has been taken, and the railway formed thereon. The rails are now being laid and the line ballasted, and it is expected that by the end of October the greater portion of the line will be fit for traffic. The line is being constructed by Mr. Ambrose Oliver, for the Company, on a three feet guage- a guage much advocated for light railways as feeders to the main lines. Sufficient land has, however, been taken for the construction of a double line on the ordinary guage. The most important of the works is at Ravenglass station, on the Furness line, where the railway is brought in on two different levels- one the high level for delivery of iron ore on to the Furness line, and the other the low level for ordinary goods, and if it should be thought desirable, for passengers. The line runs partly through the valleys of the Mite (along by Muncaster Fell) and the Esk, terminating at the Eskdale Iron Mines, now being worked by the Whitehaven Iron Mining Company. It opens up an entirely new district, where iron ore is proved to exist, but which could not be properly worked in consequence of the difficulty of transport and want of railway communication. The works of this railway are well worth a visit, as showing how a line may be constructed cheaply, substantially, and expeditiously, through a rough and mountainous country. The average gradient of the line is 1 in 109. With the beauty of the Esk valley most of our readers are no doubt well acquainted. Stanley Gill, at Eskdale, is a favourite resort of tourists. The railway will start with the traffic from the Eskdale Mines, and there is no doubt the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway will prove financially successful.
Cumberland Pacquet, 8 Dec 1874
RAVENGLASS AND ESKDALE RAILWAY
ENGINEER'S REPORT, 25th November, 1874.
I beg to report that I visited the works on the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st inst. The road is nearly all formed to Nabb Gill, with the exception of the portion through Edward Sharpe's land, which is not as yet in the hands of the contractor, and is the cause of delaying the completion of the formation of this portion, a length of about half a mile.
The high level tip is built up to the level of the wall plates for carrying the cross beams. I am of opinion it will be necessary to place two 5-feet diameter turntables at the end of it for transferring the empty trucks on to the down line as they are discharged into the Furness trucks.
The girders and flooring for the low level section of the bridge at Ravenglass are in place.
The "King of Prussia" Bridge is open to the public.
The contractor's locomotive is working between Ravenglass and three miles fourteen chains, which is half-way between Murthwaite and Walk Mill, the permanent way being laid up to this point.
The contractor has a strong gang of platelayers at work (about forty) and all the necessary permanent way materials. I anticipate, if the weather is favourable and the locomotive kept in working order, that the road will be laid as far as Hollowstones Bridge in about a fortnight. The ore could then be carried over the line from this point and transhipped into the Furness trucks by using Mr. Oliver's branch line to the goods siding at Ravenglass station, until such time as the high level tip is complete and the Furness siding alongside.
A very short space of time would be occupied in laying the permanent way on to the "King of Prussia" Bridge, the distance being only 59 chains, or three-quarters of a mile. the ore could then be run from the "King of Prussia" Bridge. A temporary shoot on the side of the bridge would enable carts to tip direct into our trucks.
On Saturday last 206 tons of rails, 2,040 fish plates, 2,000 sleepers, and one truck of fencing arrived at Ravenglass, so that there is now every prospect of the line being rapidly completed as far as 5¾ miles, i.e. up to Edward Sharpe's land.
Cumberland Pacquet, 13 Jun 1901
RAVENGLASS AND ESKDALE RAILWAY
At a meeting of the bondholders and creditors of this railway, convened by Mr. Sydney Woodley, of Chesterfield, held at Carnforth, that gentleman's scheme for freeing the line from the control of Chancery was approved by those present, who represented a majority of those interested, and a committee was appointed to obtain the necessary release. There is a confident expectation that once this is effected, and new capital raised, it will be possible to equip the line more satisfactorily for the development of passenger traffic.
