WHITEHAVEN Probus members enjoyed a nostalgic ride on a steam train in glorious sunshine.

The club organised a day trip to the 'La'al Ratty' at Ravenglass for its members, their wives and friends.

The group met in the car park at Ravenglass Station before boarding the magnificent locomotive, ‘Whillan Beck’, which was built by Krauss in Munich in 1929 for service in Spain.

Their childhood memories were re-awakened as the little carriage clattered and swayed its way on the seven-mile trip up the Eskdale Valley to Dalegarth.

Members boarded the ‘Whillan Beck’ locomotiveMembers boarded the ‘Whillan Beck’ locomotive (Image: Submitted)

At Dalegarth, the group had light refreshments, visited the tourist shop, and stretched their legs before catching the same train back to Ravenglass.

At Ravenglass, the group enjoyed a tasty  lunch of soup and sandwiches in the newly refurbished Ratty Café.

Leonard Cummings, of Whitehaven Probus Club, said: “It had been a splendid day and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

“Friendship is what the Probus Club is all about.”

Probus - derived from two words: Professional and Business - is a club for retired men (and women) that meets regularly to promote social contact and good friendship.

The club meets every Thursday morning in Whitehaven Bowling Club for the benefit of its members, but on the last Thursday of each month it meets at the Chase Hotel in Whitehaven for a talk/presentation and lunch.

During the year, several day trips are also arranged, which are always popular and well attended.

The club was formed in Whitehaven in 1971, based on a simple idea of forming a lunch club to serve as a focal point for the development of social activity among men of similar age and background.

Members attend regularly and enjoy chatting about topics of general interest, without a formal agenda. New members are always welcomed.