This Day in History: 1971-09-30

30 September 1971

On 30th September 1971, plans were submitted to the Millom Rural District Council (RDC) showing an extension of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway from Ravenglass to Muncaster Castle. The survey for the route had been completed by Patrick Satow, formerly the Society Chairman.

The proposed route shown on the plans was 2 miles and 31 chains long. Making an end-on connection with the existing line at Ravenglass, it was planned to run for the first quarter mile in the cutting alongside the B.R. main line. Crossing Walls Drive on the level, the route would have then headed for Newton. Below Decoy Wood, the line was shown making a spiral to gain height, making one and a half complete circles before passing to the east of Newtown House. Climbing round the end of Newtown Knott, the line would have reached a summit at 156 feet, 121 feet above Ravenglass Station, one and a half miles from the start. A direct line was then shown to Muncaster Castle, where the terminus would have been close to the Castle.