The SMR is the only public rack and pinion railway in the United Kingdom, and after more than 100 years of operation it remains a popular tourist attraction. The line is owned and operated by Heritage Great Britain plc, operators of several other tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.
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The SMR was the inspiration for the fictional Culdee Fell Railway, appearing in the story book "Mountain Engines", part of the "The Railway Series" written by the late Reverend W. Awdry. The Railway Series books were the basis for the popular Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends children's television series; as yet however the Culdee Fell Railway has not been included in the televised episodes.