Scheduled to re-open in June, the Ravenglass Railway Museum, in the Lake District, will provide schools with brand new experiences that could be linked to topics in both Science and Design Technology, as well as History.
The new museum will be double its original size and offer a brand new experience for visitors. An official opening date will be announced soon.
What’s new?
One of the highlights of the attraction will be the steam locomotive ‘Katie’ which ran at Ravenglass in 1916 and has been restored to working condition for the first time since the 1920s.
The newly designed displays will engage school pupils and exhibits will include a wide collection of locomotives and artefacts spanning from the railway line’s opening in 1875 to present day.
The museum owns more than 6,000 objects such as locomotives, uniforms, photographs and historic engineering and artefacts.
The new development will see these artefacts brought to life with interactive displays and exhibitions, allowing visitors to watch how the heritage steam locomotives work.
Visitors can also see models and objects which will depict the story of Eskdale Steam Railway’s (also known as ‘La’al Ratty’s) industrial past as well as the daily lives of railway workers.
Pupils can also involve themselves in the museum’s games to determine whether they would have had what it takes to work at the railway.
There will also be a ‘Big Saloon’ coach which dates back to 1875. Visitors will be able to hop in the coach and imagine taking a trip during the 1870s.
The museum also provides educational tour suggestions which includelandscape, heritage, geology and history.
More about the museum
The museum is located in the only coastal village in the Lake District. The surrounding area is great for walking and exploring and could be an idea for Geography trips. The museum itself could be tied in with the Design Technology, History and Science curriculum.
Ravenglass Station is also home to Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway, which is a seven mile tourist attraction which travels through the Eskdale Valley.
The museum will be open when the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is running, which is every day in the summer season.
For more information, visit www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk.
