Friday, March 29, 2024
- Advertisement -
Home Heritage Ravenglass stalwart honoured for five decades work on historic railway

Ravenglass stalwart honoured for five decades work on historic railway

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway longest-serving employee is 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.

Advertisement

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 said: “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.”  

image_pdfDownload article

Most Popular

DRS takes delivery of 25 new JNA-Z box wagons from VTG Rail UK

Direct Rail Services (DRS) has taken delivery of a fleet of 25 brand new JNA-Z box wagons from VTG Rail UK, the country’s leading...

SYSTRA employee named one of Planner Magazine’s Women of Influence 2024

The Planner Magazine has selected Jenny Jefferies, Technical Expert - Consents at SYSTRA, as one of its Women of Influence for 2024. Jenny, who is...

ORR review leads to 50 per cent reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has announced that, thanks to new rules, the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can...

East West Rail to hold drop-in events ahead of statutory consultation

East West Railway Company (EWR) will hold a series of information events in May, helping people to understand how the formal application process to...
- Advertisement -