Douglas Ferreira, O.B.E., (1929 - 2003) was the longest serving General Manager of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, a heritage railway in Cumbria, England known as the "Ratty". He was at the heart of the "Ratty" for thirty four years. Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is a heritage railway in Cumbria, England. ...

A pupil at the local St Bees School, on leaving, Ferreira joined the Harrison Shipping Line as a cadet. After some years with the Line, he went to work in Preston and there he was an Executive of a Company that made Bond mini-cars (Bond Cars Ltd). St Bees School,private boarding school in Cumbria,England St Bees School in the village of St Bees, Cumbria, England, is an independent day and boarding school for ages 11-18. ... Preston is a city and local government district in North West England. ... Bond Cars Ltd British motor maker. ...

When the Ratty was put up for sale in 1960, it was bought by Colin Gilbert and Sir Wavell Wakefield, who then appointed Ferreira as the new General Manager, because of his extensive railway knowledge. Sir William Wavell Wakefield, 1st Baron Wakefield of Kendal (10 March 1898, Beckenham-12 August 1983) was a rugby union player for Harlequins and England, President of the Rugby Football Union and a British politician. ...

During Ferreira's era, many changes ooccured on the railway including the arrival of new locomotives - River Mite, Northern Rock, Royal Anchor, Shelagh of Eskdale, Lady Wakefield and Bonnie Dundee. Many saloon coaches appeared, and two locomotives were constructed for export to Japan.

Ferreira was able to think laterally, and he came up with many pioneering ideas, able to solve problems. Many other railways benefited from his work on the Ratty. It is thought that one of his greatest achievements was the complete relaying of the track, using hardwood sleepers and rail of a uniform heavy weight.

In 1975, the Ratty faced a problem - there was need to operate one train in section, as opposed to a time interval system. As conventional train staff and ticket was not practical, a friend of Ferreira helped him introduce a new radio control and train order system.

In 1994, Ferreira retired as General Manager, and the following year was awarded an O.B.E. for his services to tourism. In his retirement, he continued with his interest in the Ratty, and also worked as a consultant on railway projects worldwide.

He passed away on May 24, 2003. It is thought that few people have left such an enduring legacy on the Ratty as he did.