The Ravenglass Railway Museum is thanking its supporters for their flagship locomotive, Synolda, by offering a special day out on the 14th June.

The 113-year-old Bassett-Lowke locomotive saw a three-stage overhaul and included the construction of a new tender.

The Synolda campaign came about as the locomotive is practically identical to the first 15-inch gauge locomotive, which ran on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway back in 1915.

The locomotive notably marks the railway’s history, and as of last year, the work was completed on the little blue engine.

It has been able to make trips on the line for special events, including the recent 150th celebration gala.

Synolda will be offering mini rides between 10 am and 12 pm on the 14th, which will be open for all to enjoy in exchange for a small donation.

Donations from the rides will be put towards the museum’s next fundraising project of working on the 1926, four-wheeled petrol and tractor vaporising oil locomotive, Quarryman. They started the fundraising project in 2022 following the success of Synolda’s campaign.

The locomotive, which will celebrate 100 years next year, requires essential work to restore it to a public use condition. The locomotive will soon be heading off to John Fowler & Co in Bouth for conservation work to begin.

Further information on Quarryman’s £5,000 fundraising progress can be found online.

Additional information for the 14th and general Ravenglass Railway Museum information can be found on their website.

“We are thrilled that the Synolda fundraising campaign was such a huge success and would like to say thank you to everyone who contributed”

“We’re looking forward to welcoming some of the people who contributed to the campaign in the afternoon, when Synolda will haul a special train for some invited guests”.

“As we officially mark the end of the Synolda project, we’re really hoping that our latest project with Quarryman captures the imagination of the public in the same way”

“While Synolda represents the beginning of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway’s transition into the world of 15inch gauge, Quarryman represents another significant point in the railway’s story. During World War 2, when passenger services could not run, Quarryman helped to keep the stone traffic on the R&ER moving, making it the only source of revenue for the railway at that time. It’s possible that without Quarryman and its partners, the railway may not have survived”.

Claire Winter-Moore of the Ravenglass Railway Museum