Lady Augusta was built under contract with the workshops at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and entered service in 1989. Although she is quite small she has successfully pulled up to 100 passengers a trip for 21 years. She will continue to haul regular services but the introduction of our new locomotive ”Bunty” has given her the opportunity to take a well-earned rest! Lady Augusta is named after Lady Augusta Hay (1766-1822) of Etal Manor who philanthropically employed local people during hard times to construct a carriageway from Heatherslaw along the riverbank to Tillmouth, connecting the various water mills along the route. This route can still be walked today; see the signs at the old ford at Etal village.
|
