LET'S FINISH OFF LANCASTER

Right, it's now time to look at the buses of Lancaster. The Corporation used to run them. One of the most famous vehicles was the 'prison bus', this old Daimler. Seen in the depot, its sole purose in later life was to transport prisoners to gaol.

 Lancaster City Transport latterly used a blue-based colour scheme, as seen here.

Lancaster City Transport ceased trading in 1993, having sold out to Stagecoach. Prior to those days, Ribble Motor Services ran the majority of the 'out of town' routes.

Ribble also became part of the Stagecoach Group in the Lancaster area.

It's nice to see this double-deck bus painted into the old Ribble colours.

Kirkby Lonsdale Coaches have a few services in and around Lancaster.

Beer time! Mitchell's Brewery used to be at the rear of the New Inn. It later moved to the old Yates & Jackson brewhouse, but now no longer brews.

Let's start our pub crawl at the Three Mariners.

The Wagon & Horses can be found beside the Lune on St George's Quay. It used to be a Hartley;s of Ulverston house.

The Duke of Lancaster is now closed.

Thankfully, the George & Dragon is still in business, looking out onto the river.

The Robert Gillow, a Hyde's pub, has since been renamed the Jailor's Barrel.

The Penny Bank used to be a decent pub. It's still going and has a Facebook page.

The John o'Gaunt is a good city centre establishment.

Finally, handy for the railway station, is Merchant's, a free house with good beer.

The next post will see us heading for Glasson Dock and more of the Lancaster Canal.

OLD LANCASTER AND ITS RAILWAYS

There are plenty of historic buildings in central Lancaster. Here is the castle, firstly around 1900 and then in 1996.

The city centre with its town hall in 2021.

A horse drawn tram in Stonewell, central Lancaster.

Springfield Terrace.

An electric tram in the city.

The historic Judges' Lodgings.

Lancaster's main station (Lancaster Castle) , on the West Coast Main Line of the LNWR.

47539 and a class 86 pass at Lancaster in 1982.

A 142 'Pacer' sits in the Morecambe bay platforms in 1992.

In 2011, Virgin Trains were running the main line expresses.

Lancaster's other station, Green Ayre, was built by the Midland Railway.

Some of the Green Ayre railway infrastructure survives beside the River Lune.

The name "Green Ayre" has been applied to a new-build Wetherspoons pub.

The next post will see us looking a the bus and beer scene in Lancaster.

LANCASTER (PART 1)

As we approach the county town (city) we happen across the Lancaster Canal, at the point where it crosses the River Lune by this fine aqueduct.

We'll follow the canal by hitching a lift on this narrowboat into the centre of the city.

It's not a long journey.

Here's the British Waterways wharf in Lancaster.

Alongside the towpath is a fine pub, the White Cross.

It's getting late. Another pub calls - The Bobbin.

Darkness has fallen, so we'll spend the evening in a Lancaster Brewery owned pub, the Sun.

That's it for this post. The next one will find us seeing a lot more of the City of Lancaster.

CUMBRIA, YORKSHIRE, LANCASHIRE

Having left Kendal behind, we soon arrive at Oxenholme, junction for the Windermere branch with the West Coast Main Line. LMS 5547 rattles over the points, heading south.

In Oxenholme station, a Cravens DMU forms the Windermere service.

Nearby is the Station Inn.

Going back in time to LNWR days and we arrive at Grayrigg, on the WCML north of Oxenholme.

Across country now, to another LNWR railway station, at Sedburgh.

There's time for a pint in Sedburgh, at the Red Lion, a Jennings house.

Almost due south for several miles, towards Ingleton. We encounter some limestone scenery as we approach the town. We're now in North Yorkshire.

Just outside Ingleton is the River Twiss, with Pecca Falls and pleasant walks.

Ingleton has a big church, dedicated to St Mary.

The town of Ingleton once had two railway stations. This is the Midland Railway establishment.

One remant of the MR still remains in Ingleton.

The LNWR's Ingleton station. No railways serve the town these days.

A large coach company, Bibby's, once served the town. Here's a minibus at the depot.

Now we're outside the Bridge Hotel. I don't think it exists any more.

Fortunately, the Wheatsheaf is well and truly open.

We're heading for Lancashire now, as we find the Midland Railway near Bentham. 

However, at the moment, we're still in Yorkshire. Here's Bentham station in 1962 (Ben Brooksbank CC).

We reach Lancashire at Wennington Junction, as LMS 27646 passes. (Photographer unknown).

Caton is next. Here's the station in MR times. It's long since closed.

There's two pubs to do in Caton. First, a Thwaite's house, the Ship Inn.

Now for our final pub of the post, the Black Bull Inn.

The next post will see us visiting the city of Lancaster. follow the route here.