The Green is a railway station on the 15" gauge Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, located 1/2 mile south of Eskdale, Cumbria, England, overlooking the Eskdale valley and Muncaster Fell. It was originally known as King of Prussia after the nearby public house, and later as Eskdale Green. The Eskdale Green name has continued in popular use, and is still in official use in 2017 in the railway's "full" timetable of intermediate stopping places. The station is located about from Ravenglass and just over from Dalegarth. The station is manned during the summer months, when volunteers are available. There is a booking office inside the shelter building. There is no passing loop, and only simple one-train operations are possible.
History
Originally the site of a siding used as a passing place for trains, in 1876 the first station was built, consisting of a small waiting shelter. This survived the re-gauging of 1915, and continued until the 1930s. In the early 1960s, the siding was removed and in 1965 construction of a new station building and platform commenced. The work was carried out by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society West Yorkshire Group, and was completed by 1968. The station remains largely in its 1968 condition, although a toilet was added around 1990, in order to improve facilities for volunteer staff and passengers.
Present Day
In high season, when the station is most-likely to be manned, trains pass at 40-minute intervals in each direction. Trains generally take 25 minutes to reach Ravenglass, and 15 minutes to reach Dalegarth. The station has an internal telephone link to other stations, and the railway control centre, and is connected to mains electricity. Buildings in use include a waiting shelter, booking office, and toilet. There is a very limited amount of car parking available. No real-time running information is provided. The station is linked by various public footpaths and bridleways to Irton Road, Ravenglass,, Eskdale Green, and Muncaster Fell. The King George IV pub and Giggle AlleyJapanese Gardens are within easy walking distance along a public road.
Future Developments
The preservation society is considering a project to redevelop the current station building, providing better facilities for the station master and for passengers. The proposal would incorporate a partially under coverpicnic area. Funding for the proposed development would be taken from a large legacy left to the preservation society by one of its former members.
Accessibility
Wheelchair users are able to join trains here, but prior notice must be given to the railway before the day of travel. Wheelchair users may alight at this station, if they have informed the guard in advance.
