Stainmore Railway Company

Stainmore Railway Company Heritage centre & operational railway in the upper Eden Valley, open 10am - 4pm on Sundays Easter -
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A volunteer run not for profit company which is open on Sundays Easter - December. We have a small museum, a wide range of rolling stock and we operate trains on some event weekends (see website for details). Admission is free and charges apply for train rides and some special events. Saturday opening 10am - 4pm is currently limited to special events and additional days are subject to volunteer av

ailability (see website for details). We have volunteer working parties during the week and welcome new volunteers of all ages. Please see our website for details of how to join our friendly group of volunteers.

29/05/2026

Sunday 31st May we are running a Diesel train service. No site tours but a chance to ride our vintage carriages. Open 10 til 4.

Yesterday saw construction work on the recreation of the Junction 'box really commence in earnest. As Bob describes in t...
28/05/2026

Yesterday saw construction work on the recreation of the Junction 'box really commence in earnest. As Bob describes in the latest post on the signalling blog https://ksesignalling.blogspot.com the team were busy in the heat accurately setting out the corners of the structure. With this successfully completed, providing the Cumbrian weather behaves, the team should now be able to make steady progress.
The plan is to construct blockwork up to just below ground level and then commence the brickwork. The first batch of 2,500 bricks, specially produced for the job, should be with us in about 3 weeks.
As ever, very many thanks to the team for all their hard work and to those supporters who have generously funded the work to date.

A progress report on the overhaul of No. 876 / 65033 at Locomotive Maintenance Services (LMS) in Loughborough. Recent...
22/05/2026

A progress report on the overhaul of No. 876 / 65033 at Locomotive Maintenance Services (LMS) in Loughborough.
Recent efforts have seen David and the team focussed on various components for the engine.
These have included the new clack boxes (Photo 1). For those of you not familiar with the finer points - these are essentially a non-return valve allowing feed water from the injectors into the boiler, but preventing steam and hot water escaping - unless, of course, a piece of boiler scale decides to make it 'stick' partly open, in which case, a 'quiet word' with a hammer carefully applied in the correct location usually does the trick!
Work has also taken place on the eccentrics. The straps (Photo 2) have been machined and scraped to fit the sheaves (Photo 3). These are attached to the eccentric rods, of which, there are two per cylinder - one for forward and one for back gear.
Many thanks to David for the photos and to all at LMS for their hard work.

Latest update on the work to restore NER 5 Compartment 3rd No. 2051.
21/05/2026

Latest update on the work to restore NER 5 Compartment 3rd No. 2051.

As reported by Bob in the latest post on the signalling blog, https://ksesignalling.blogspot.com yesterday saw the team ...
21/05/2026

As reported by Bob in the latest post on the signalling blog, https://ksesignalling.blogspot.com yesterday saw the team hard at work removing all the shuttering that was used to install the reinforced concrete cap over the existing foundations for the Junction 'box.
The next job will be to set out the corners of the building which we hope will begin this coming weekend.
Very many thanks to all involved.

Restoration work on NER Passenger Luggage Van No. 131 has resumed following further visits by Shane from 'Wonder of Wood...
19/05/2026

Restoration work on NER Passenger Luggage Van No. 131 has resumed following further visits by Shane from 'Wonder of Wood', our contract joinery firm for this job.
The body framework repairs have been completed on the side and end depicted in the two photographs. We have now begun to cut and fasten sheeting to the exterior. The steady use of volunteer time over the next couple of weeks should see the application of sheeting completed on this side and end.
The sheeting that we are using is called tricoya. This is very resistant to water damage and rot and has a 50-year guarantee. It is an expensive material and care has to be taken to ensure the most economic use of a sheet. The order of fastening is likely to look somewhat haphazard as the work progresses, but we wish to avoid having pieces of expensive material stacked awaiting use and liable to damage.

On Friday & Saturday, many of our safety critical volunteers took their biannual 'refresher' practical exams in order to...
17/05/2026

On Friday & Saturday, many of our safety critical volunteers took their biannual 'refresher' practical exams in order to retain their current 'tickets'.
Some who were not due practical 'refreshers' this year were taking their 'Rules & Regulations' theory papers.
In addition to all those who successfully renewed their certification, it is a pleasure to report that Dave Clapp qualified as a fireman and Bernie Ritchie / Jonathon Steedman both qualified as guards (Photo 1) - well done all and many congrats to Dave, Bernie & Jonathon for joining the ranks of our safety critical volunteers.
In addition, many thanks to Martyn Ashworth, our Independent Competent Person, for overseeing all the practical and theory exams and to Mario for photos 2 & 3.

A quick update on the Junction 'box. Today saw completion of the work on the reinforced concrete cap over the existin...
13/05/2026

A quick update on the Junction 'box.
Today saw completion of the work on the reinforced concrete cap over the existing foundations - photos attached.
The final photo, courtesy of Toby Watkins, shows the Junction 'box foundations with the S&DR 'box in the background.
Very many thanks to all the volunteers who have been involved in any way in getting the job to this stage and to our generous supporters who have funded the work- the next job will be to remove the shuttering and the reconstruction can then commence in earnest.

In the latest post on the signalling blog - https://ksesignalling.blogspot.com - Tim describes another aspect of the wor...
12/05/2026

In the latest post on the signalling blog - https://ksesignalling.blogspot.com - Tim describes another aspect of the work undertaken by the installation team - the task of clearing bays for point rodding and signal wire runs, and then using the excavated ballast to ensure areas around items such as rodding stools and benches are left 'dressed' and tidy.
Very many thanks to all involved.

Address

South Road
Kirkby Stephen
CA174LA

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441768371700

Website

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