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.

IN STAN LAUREL'S FOOTSTEPS

We now return to the Furness Railway's main line, which we reach at Plumpton Junction. A class 25 potters about with a bit of shunting, while the Sir John Barrow Monument looks down on it all.

 Not far away is Ulverston station. A Furness Railway 0-6-2T is seen in the station on a local train.

In later years, a DMU departs.

The station in 2014, still with its unusual layout.

Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston and there's now a Laurel & Hardy Museum. (Photo from Wikipedia with Creative Commons License).

Market Street, in the heart of town.

Ribble Motor Services had a depot in town.

Barrow Borough Transport also paid the occasional visit to Ulverston.

Stagecoach took over both operators, but painted this bus in the old Barrow colours.

This one is in the current livery of 2014.

A town service is run by Leck's Travel.

Ulverston was once noted for Hartley's Brewery. It was taken over by Robinson's and closed.

A new Ulverston Brewery opened in 2010.

The Farmers Arms is a traditional pub in the middle of town.

Not far away, the Kings Head, a Marston's house.AKA 'Lal Kings'.

As the name suggests, the Mill, was once - a mill. Now it's a Lancaster Brewery house and does good pizzas.

Next stop, the Sun Inn, a free house.

Last, but not least, the excellent Devonshire Arms, with some great beers.

We now follow Morecambe Bay to almost the westerly point, where we come across Piel Isand, with a pub, the Ship Inn. Read more here.

Next, the larger Walney Island, home to Vickerstown.

Walney Island is connected to the mainland and Barrow-in-Furness by Walney Bridge. A Barrow Corporation tram is about to cross. 

We'll also take that route, but you'll have to await the next post.

You can follow the route here.