is now Cumbria between 1846 and 1923. Today, our activities are more widespread, and people recognise us as one of the leading players in railway preservation in northern England. Originally based at the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway in Cumbria, we are now based in Preston Lancashire and are an established hirer of locomotives and rolling stock to heritage railways and museums throughout the UK.
Our number one priority for many years was to provide suitable facilities for our restoration work. Since 2010, the Trust has worked in partnership with another charity, the Ribble Steam Railway in Preston, and together we have created a sizeable building, our primary base to carry out overhauls and restoration work. When in traffic, our locomotives and rolling stock are on display, being demonstrated in action when on hire to heritage railways up and down the country.
All our locomotives and rolling stock are owned by the charity, including the oldest working standard gauge steam engine in Britain, Furness Railway Number 20. There is much more about this historic and important engine – and stablemates GWR 0-6-2T 5643, Austerity “Cumbria”, GWR 4-6-0 “Wootton Hall” and “Fluff” elsewhere on this website.