Our tour recommenced with temperatures above 15oC albeit cloudy but, more importantly, rain free. I sought a seat with a better view for the trip up the valley and a space was available in the open coach. Motive power was 'Lady Wakefield' Ravenglass/1980 at the front departing from P3. There was a photo stop at Miteside Halt; is the platform length of about six feet some sort of record?

We then ran to Murthwaite Permanent Way Depot and the loco reached the end of the line. Next it reversed into the depot headshunt and several members alighted (with permission) for photos. A seat was again available in the penultimate compartment of Coach A which I took. The end of line was reached via Road 2 followed by reversal to the mainline. I was surprised that much of the crushing plant (the end of the former standard gauge line) remained on the other side but it was dilapidated.






Next was a stop in the loop at Irton Road to enable 'Lady Wakefield' to detach and then propel the train into the sidings. The end of Coach A made contact with the shrubbery and after reversal the crew tried to open the small metal shed. The attempt was unsuccessful but the shed door was reached via both roads. There was a second run on Road 2 to enable more members to gain additional track.












'Lady Wakefield' reverted to hauling the tour and reached the end of the line at Dalegarth via P1 and the turntable. The train was then propelled into the long siding (for stabling a spare set of coaches) where Coach D reached the buffer stops. There was a further interchange of passengers for track coverage purposes and I reverted to Coach A. Back at Dalegarth P2, noticing that passengers had been conveyed in the cab I approached the driver with Kev's agreement and to my delight was invited to sit next to him. The loco was detached from the coaches, turned on the turntable and returned to head our train still on P2. It was interesting to hear the radio control system when the driver alerted Ravenglass to the burglar alarm ringing at the station. The opportunity for 360o 'spinage' followed for all who wanted it, along with the platform connections, of course. Coach A was detached and swung round on the turntable. Prior to departure it was announced that there would be a photo stop at Muncaster Mill. Before this there was an unusual manoeuvre at Irton Road where the train (ahead of schedule) reversed to do the loop again, one side in the unusual direction. Kev requested it for our bidirectionalists while Graeme Easton, also a very keen R&ER volunteer, photographed proceedings.









There was a prolonged stop at Muncaster Mill for those who enjoy visiting different stations and a group photo. The train then ran into Ravenglass P3 again where the station was beautifully lit up with Christmas lights. As I had a 200 mile, four hour, journey I left then. Thanks to the fantastic catering team, a final complimentary hot drink and cake was available in the café, announced on the platform by Kev. Subsequently 'spinage' was negotiated on the station turntable (thanks, again Kev).









Gary Lonsdale has kindly provided further details of the locos in his schedule (sent post-event to all participants). ●U2 Greenwood & Batley 2782 was off site at John Fowler Ltd, Bouth. Its Yellow battery box was in the workshop on Road 3. ●Lister 40009 was within a long freight train which was moved from the headshunt into the platform. This is now a 4-Wheel flat and carries letter L. It was the second vehicle from the buffers when the freight train returned to the headshunt. ●Muir-Hill 2 was also off site at John Fowler Ltd, Bouth. ●The Bug KraussS 8378 1926 tender was at John Fowler Ltd, Bouth.

Richard 'Dicky' Irvine kindly calculated the detailed powered moves together with the locos used (see table). As promised there was haulage by all five operational diesel locos, two rarely, if ever, power public trains. The tour was in Nov as it is the first month without daily passenger trains since mid-Mar.

We were promised track coverage that was exceptionally comprehensive. This involved a significant amount of planning by the R&ER with what was described as 'the largest mega shunt' ever made. It was described as a very special, once in a lifetime 'all available track' experience. The Railway and our Society undoubtedly delivered. The Fixtures team as usual worked very hard and I now have some awareness of the unseen work that needs to be undertaken for a very successful tour of this nature. One member recorded 57 reversals and 3 complete spins. Including all of the raffle proceeds, £5,361.69 was donated to the R&ER as a result of our visit - the Railway was highly delighted with this.