Eden Valley Railway

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The Eden Valley Railway is based at Warcop Station, just off the A66 near Appleby. They currently operate a 2.5mile section of the former Appleby-Warcop freight line (itself part of the NER Stainmore route) retained after through closure for MoD trains to Warcop training area. It was not clear to me on this visit why the rest of the route is out of use, indeed lifted in some parts, when it was still in use for stock movements as recently as 2009.

At Warcop operations are centred around a group of ex-Southern Region slam door items - a 4-BIG Buffet car, three Motor Luggage Vans (of which one is now the bookshop), a pair of South West Trains 4-CEP units and a Class 205 / 3-H DEMU which appears to be the mainstay of the service, running hourly trips to the limit of operations.

There are two ex-mainline diesels on site. 47 799 "Prince Henry" was a Royal Train locomotive. Stripped of all nameplates, crests and markings it was delivered by rail in running order in 2009, but has since gone into a protracted decline. Apparently, it is being "re-wired", although exposed to the elements and with no sheeting over the roof grilles one suspects heavy duty corrosion treatment will be required. The other is the sadly dilapidated 37 042 which is on a spur siding in the old goods yard. With peeling paint and no prospect of any restorative work, she rusts in peace.

The gaggle of industrial diesel shunters seem to fair slightly better and one even sports a new coat of paint.

There is a good half mile of extra track beyond Warcop station which could be used for running lines if their stock was better organised.