NEW MANAGER AND CARRIAGES FOR RAVENGLASS
Peter Brendling, a 56-year-old businessman, has been appointed general manager of the RER in succession to Trevor Stockton, who retired in December. Born in Harlow, Essex, Mr Brendling managed the Youth Hostel Association’s Ambleside facility for 13 years until 2014. Since then he has been commercial director of a Lake District tourism business and principal of the Windermere International Summer School. Mr Stockton volunteered for several years before joining the railway as a guard in 1973, achieving promotion to locomotive driving before being appointed maintenance foreman. He took over from Steve Wood as general manager in 2000. He will work part-time with Mr Brendling to ensure a smooth transition. The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway intends to put an observation carriage into service in 2018. Concept drawings show an interior with spacious one-a-side seating and window tables. The carriage will be coupled behind the locomotive, allowing passengers to watch the engine one way and to admire the scenery from the observation windows on the return. Passengers’ increased expectations and unwillingness to share space has prompted the railway to develop upgrades for its current stock, which dates from the 1960s and 1970s. The carriage will be the first to use a new standard underframe being developed for RER stock. Building the Observation First is expected to earn revenue to pay for the vehicles that follow, and make a bigger contrast with the existing fleet. The specification has been developed in conjunction with the Ffestiniog Railway, as an experienced builder and designer of new narrow gauge railway carriages, although a contractor has yet to be chosen.