BARROW -IN-FURNESS

 Let's be honest, despite its proximity to the Lake District, Barrow-in-Furness is never going to be a tourist destination. Historically in Lancashire, it was plonked into Cumbria in 1974. Its main employer was Vickers, now part of BAE Systems. You can learn more here and now for a few old postcards of activities in Barrow.

Here's the Devonshire Dock, the photo being taken from atop Vickers' crane.

Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST No. 3 was used for shunting in the docks.

The Furness Railway had a virtual monopoly of the area. Around 1885, loco No. 4 is seen at Barrow.

FR 4-4-0 No. 128 outside Barrow shed.

A pair of 4-4-0 locos departs from the station. The overall roof was a casualty of WW2.

Into LMS days and 12497 is seen in the station.

In BR times, DMUs were used on most services, including the coastal route towards Carlisle.

Semaphore signalling was still in use in 1990 - and beyond.

'Sprinters' later took over services.

Northern Rail is the principal operator today.

Barrow's first trams were steam operated.

Electric trams of Barrow Corporation later took over.

Let's now look at the bus scene in Barrow. Here'a a 1930's postcard.

By the 1970s, Barrow Corporation had become virtually an all Leyland fleet. 

An exception was this unusual Dennis Dominator saloon, seen in the depot.

Barrow Borough Transport eventually bought some Leyland Atlanteans.

This ex London DMS was one of the last purchases of Barrow Borough Transport , seen with 'BBT' logos.

Ribble Motor Services was the main rural operator in Barrow, before some vehicles and routes were transferred to Cumberland MS.

Stagecoach later took over all services in the town.

Barrow-in-Furness was once home to Case's Brewery, long since closed.

Barrow is not the greatest town for real ale. The Wetherspoons is handy for the station.

The next post will see us heading around the Cumbian coast.