River Irt

This is the name of the miniature steam engine that took us up the Eskdale Valley from Ravenglass to Dalegarth.  La'al Ratty (Cumbrian dialect for little railway) as it is affectionately known is one of the longest and oldest narrow gauge railways in England.  It became operational in 1875 and was used to bring Iron Ore from the mines above the village of Boot, to Ravenglass for onward shipment. The locomotive that we travelled behind was built in 1894. It is the oldest working 15 inch gauge locomotive in the world. 
Once at Dalegarth we headed off into the hills for a lovely enjoyable sunny walk.  We made it back to Dalegarth in time to get the last train to Ravenglass.