As Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway prepares to mark the 100th birthday of heritage loco ‘River Esk’ with a special Gala Weekend (29 April - 1 May), its longest-serving employee is also celebrating a momentous half a century working for the much-loved visitor attraction.
68 year old Trevor Stockton was first introduced to the railway line in the 1950s as part of his family holidays, later putting himself forward as a volunteer before securing his first role as a guard in April 1973. During 50 continuous years with the company he has worked in a range of roles including 14 seasons as driver on flagship engine ‘Northern Rock’, maintenance foreman and later, general manager on Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.
Over the years Trevor has met a string of high-profile figures, from World War II flying ace Sir Douglas Bader to Doctor Who actor John Pertwee.
He’s even made a special guest appearance on CBeebies, making a special train journey with his granddaughter Lucy as part of a special family history series for pre-schoolers.
Trevor also cites travelling to Japan to help instruct local drivers on the Ravenglass-built ‘Northern Rock II’ as a career highlight.
To mark his landmark 50th anniversary, Trevor has been made Honorary Vice President of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society. He has also been presented with a collection of photos from the past half century by colleagues from the railway.
Trevor’s anniversary comes as the railway plans to mark 100 years of historic steam locomotive ‘River Esk’ with a spectacular ‘Anniversary Gala’ Weekend’ over the May Day Bank Holiday – another of the trains he has driven during his long-running career.
The event will include a display of resident steam and diesel engines, signal box tours and other special ‘behind the scenes’ treats for passengers over the three-day weekend: Saturday 29 April to Monday 1 May. There will also be one, two and three-day ‘rover tickets’ available enabling passengers to hop on and off the different trains.
Trevor says, “It’s a happy coincidence that these two anniversaries come just days apart. Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is in my blood – and really is a lifelong passion for me – so it is fantastic to be celebrating this unique heritage railway which has a reputation that spreads far beyond the Lake District and Cumbria.
“I am honoured to continue working in the signal box two days a week alongside a great bunch of people and carrying on my dad’s legacy, who himself worked for British Railways for many years.”
To find out more about River Esk’s Anniversary Gala Weekend, visit:
www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk/e...
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Notes to Editors:
For further information, contact: Heather Sewell, hsewell@cumbriatourism.org / 07795 487003.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is a family-owned business operating one of the oldest and longest narrow-gauge railways in England, on the Western Coast of the Lake District. Affectionately known as La’al Ratty, the railway is surrounded by stunning views and walks and is based in Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park.
