Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway Reviews Summary

Carriage Experience

Pros:

• "We booked Ruth Carriage and it was a fabulous experience."
• "We loved it. Nice trip. Heated carriage."
• "The semi open carriage was just perfect."
• "This journey was lovely, I had pre-booked on line, a closed carriage for 4 people."
• "A fantastic day out the first class carriage is worth paying the extra £6 for especially if it rains as the rest of the carriages are not enclosed journey is about 40 minutes to the next station."
• "Would recommend going 1st class as the seats are padded (not in normal carriages) and as the journey is 40 mins that extra comfort is required."
• "The train offers open top carriages and also closed top carriages. The open top ones have wooden seating which makes you bum go numb! I recommend taking something to sit on. The closed carriages have padding seating."

Cons:

• "Disappointed that a stranger was placed in our carriage when there were other empty ones, it made it a very cramped journey and made us glad when we reached the end of the line, quite detracted from the ride really."
• "Very compact cartridges so beware when booking (it’s tight for 4 adults and 2 dogs)."
• "Some of the enclosed ones were quite low down so consider that if you have mobility issues."
• "The little carriages are quite cramped and in need of some TLC in places."
• "Once on the train very enjoyable with great views and wonderful engines pulling them, the only drawback is the wooden seats in the carriages rather hard could do with a cushion."
• "Lovely little railway, but they are miniature steam engines and carriages, which can be difficult to get in if you're on the larger side!"
• "The train ride is quite cramped in the carriages."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff/volunteers were all so friendly & helpful."
• "The volunteers are really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and made the experience a joy."
• "Staff are very friendly and helpful."
• "Absolutely superb staff. They could not have been nicer or more accommodating to us."
• "The staff here are always so friendly and helpful and the railway runs like clockwork."
• "The staff are very friendly and helpful, would recommend for families with young kids."
• "I must say the staffs are friendly and very very helpful."

Cons:

• "The only downside of the journey was the NASTY old woman train conductor on the 15.10 return journey on September Friday 22nd 2023."
• "Sadly the same cannot be said of the cafe staff at Ravenglass who clearly preferred to stand and chat to other staff."
• "The only issue was with the gift shop within the Ravenglass railway premise, which closes prior to the arrival of the last train from dalegarth, which reached Ravenglass by 4.50 pm."

Scenery and Route

Pros:

• "5* attraction. This is a lovely ride with beautiful views into the mountains of the lake district."
• "Teeny tiny carriages on a teeny tiny railway 😄 it was a lovely route, really beautiful."
• "The train goes through beautiful places with excellent views and goes slow enough to take it all in."
• "This is such a joyful experience for all ages, riding a small sized train trough the rural scenery that offer you an amazing view over the mountains, rivers and forests."
• "Can't recommend Ratty highly enough for a great day out with some spectacular scenery."
• "What an experience the views and scenery were spectacular."
• "The scenery as expected was magnificent as the train goes through the valley of the Lake District."

Cons:

• "Improvements could be for more things to look at in certain parts if the track. Most views were really nice but other areas would be boring for younger people."
• "Had a lot of expectation, sadly it fell short. Was hoping the road to be more scenic."
• "Nothing too exciting. The small train moves at about 15-20mph through the plains."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "Very clean toilets on the stations."
• "The parking is easy in the station and ample space available."
• "Excellent cafe and toilet facilities at each end of track and an excellent museum at Ravenglass with interactive displays."
• "Every station is clean hygienic & tidy. Food & short eats served in stations are awesome."
• "Station facilities include a viewing turntable, licensed café, gift shop, accessible toilets, a museum with interactive exhibits, children's activity boxes and an outdoor children's play area."
• "Cafe facilities at both ends of the line in the main stations with pleasant inside & outside seating areas."
• "There is a cafe / gift shop at each end and at the Ravenglass end there is a fabulous museum which is free to go in."

Cons:

• "Be sure to use the toilets before your journey as there are none on the trains and you can't move from your carriage anyway."
• "The only criticism is the cafe is only offering takeaway style of pies/sandwiches chips etc all served in cardboard boxes."
• "Little disappointed that you have to pay for parking as well."
• "Only fly in the ointment is paying £5 for parking at the station after already shelling out £40 for the train!"
• "My only complaint would be that it is a pay and display car park at Ravenglass and I feel that if you are going on the train you should be able to park for free."

Value and Pricing

Pros:

• "The staff are extremely friendly and the prices are extremely reasonable."
• "Pretty nice experience and the price for the day ticket is more than fair."
• "Food in the cafe is great and again, great prices."
• "Loved this adventure especially when our dog could go on it was £1.50 but worth it."
• "The prices for the train are very reasonable."
• "All day tickets are cheap and if my son had his way we would have been on and off it all day!"
• "Brilliant value."