Railways of Cumbria

Sixteen pre-grouping companies were represented in Cumbria, with seven in Carlisle alone. The London and North Western, Midland, and North Eastern Railway lines crossed the Pennines, while the Maryport and Carlisle, Furness, and other railways served the industrial complexes. The Coniston, Lakeside and Windermere branches, Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway, Caledonian, Solway Junction Railway, North British, and Glasgow and South Western lines were all involved in mineral extraction and transport.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Cumbria's borders were home to a staggering sixteen pre-grouping companies, with seven of these located in Carlisle alone. To the east of the majestic mountains, the London and North Western and Midland Anglo-Scottish lines stretched, their presence marking the region's significance. Meanwhile, venturing across the Pennines, the North Eastern Railway traversed the region, connecting Newcastle to Carlisle and Darlington to Tebay and Penrith. However, the Cumbrian coast presented a completely different landscape. Here, a multitude of competing companies were focused on the vital task of transporting coal and mineral ores to support the vast industrial complexes situated to the west and south. The two primary coastal lines were the Maryport and Carlisle in the north, and the Furness in the west and south. In the Whitehaven/Workington hinterland, a network of other railways emerged, each dedicated to mineral extraction and transportation. These included the Coniston, Lakeside, and Windermere branches, as well as the Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway, which traversed the Lake District from west to east. In the north, the Caledonian and Solway Junction Railway, along with the North British's Waverley, Port Carlisle, and Silloth lines, crisscrossed the region. Additionally, the Glasgow and South Western Railway ran trains into Glasgow, further enhancing the region's connectivity.

The history, development, and, in some cases, closure of each of these lines are now explored in detail, accompanied by a selection of photographs from various periods in their illustrious history. This comprehensive account provides a valuable insight into the rich railway heritage of Cumbria, showcasing the significant role it played in shaping the region's economic and social landscape.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 188 x 449 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398109186