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Whitehaven And Furness Junction Railway
All photographs of this railway in date order.
![Green Road looking to Barrow-in-Furness.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/2000/2226.jpg "Green Road")
![Millom looking east.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/2000/2228.jpg "Millom")
![Two class 20s run north past Silecroft signalbox with a nuclear train for Sellafield.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/2000/2235.jpg "Silecroft")
![The interior of Silecroft signalbox.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/2000/2236.jpg "Silecroft")
![One of the 852 Stanier 8F 2-8-0s to be built, no 48033 of Sutton Oak shed, St Helens (8G), coasts south through Ravenglass station on the Cumbrian Coast with a lengthy freight circa 1966. The passing locomotive receives a greeting from a gathering of children (presumably part of a school trip) waiting on the northbound platform. The terminus of the adjacent Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway can be seen on the right.<br><br>[Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) //1966]](/images/20000/20598.jpg "Ravenglass")
![Looking at this picture its a wonder main line steam has continued and thrives. How close a look at the engine did they want? 4498 pauses on the overbridge at Ravenglass on one of the early Cumbrian Coast workings, this particular one believed to have been from Blackpool North to Ravenglass, and steam hauled from Carnforth by A4 4498 <I>Sir Nigel Gresley</I>. <br><br>[David Hindle 23/08/1978]](/images/31000/31742.jpg "Ravenglass")
![A4 Pacific no 4498 <I>Sir Nigel Gresley</I> heading north for Ravenglass at the small station of Silecroft on the Cumbrian coast in the summer of 1978. The signalbox and semaphores protecting the level crossing here remain in use to this day.<br><br>[David Hindle 23/08/1978]](/images/31000/31884.jpg "Silecroft")
![Preserved Stanier Black 5 no 4767 stands at Seascale station on the Cumbrian Coast with a 'Santa Special' on 27 December 1980. The train, which had originated from Hull, had been organised by the Hull Locomotive Preservation Group. [With thanks to Messrs Smith, Parry and Palmer]<br><br>[Peter Todd 27/12/1980]](/images/41000/41460.jpg "Seascale")
![Another 'Santa Special' at Seascale on 27 December 1980 [see image 41460]. This is the 13 coach SLOA version which had originated from London Euston. The train had been hauled as far as Carnforth by 86240, following which Maunsell 4-6-0 no 850 <I>Lord Nelson</I> had taken over for the journey to Seascale. <br><br>[Peter Todd 27/12/1980]](/images/41000/41499.jpg "Seascale")
![LMS Black 5 4767 at Seascale with a Special from Hull, 27 December 1980. Apparently, this particular train was the longest steam hauled train since the demise of steam over 200 miles. That day, three loco's turned up at Seascale, 4767, 4472 & 850. As they say, a grand day out. Two other 5's from Hull were involved, I think one was 5305 the other I'm not sure.<br><br>[Peter Todd 27/12/1980]](/images/61000/61625.jpg "Seascale")
![A Carlisle - Barrow DMU approaching Millom on the Cumbrian coast in 1983.<br><br>[John Furnevel 03/10/1983]](/images/36000/36627.jpg "Millom")
![A DMU on the Cumbrian Coast route photographed at Millom in October 1983.<br><br>[John Furnevel 03/10/1983]](/images/52000/52682.jpg "Millom")
![A Barrow - Carlisle DMU calls at Millom, Cumbria, in 1983. The line visible in the right background is part of the former rail connection to Millom Ironworks, closed in the late 1960s. <br><br>[John Furnevel 05/10/1983]](/images/34000/34673.jpg "Millom")
![A Carlisle - Barrow DMU approaching the village of Silecroft, Cumbria, on the Furness Line in 1983.<br><br>[John Furnevel 07/10/1983]](/images/21000/21440.jpg "Silecroft")
![A Type 2 heading towards Carnforth and the WCML about to run over Green Road level crossing after passing through the station on 7 October 1983. The locomotive is hauling a lengthy train consisting entirely of condemned DMU stock.<br><br>[John Furnevel 07/10/1983]](/images/22000/22614.jpg "Green Road")
![A type 2 takes a parcels train over Kirksanton level crossing, between Silecroft and Millom in Cumbria in 1983.<br><br>[John Furnevel 07/10/1983]](/images/24000/24812.jpg "Kirksanton Level Crossing")
![Looking north east towards Millom station on the Cumbrian Coast line in October 1983 just as a Carlisle – Barrow DMU pulls into platform 1 on the other side of St George's Road bridge. Several sidings still in existence around the station at this time had been associated with the former Millom Ironworks, which closed in 1968 [see image 26680]. <br><br>[John Furnevel 07/10/1983]](/images/59000/59852.jpg "Millom")
![A Carlisle - Barrow DMU calls at Foxfield in May 1990. <br><br>[Ian Dinmore /05/1990]](/images/41000/41206.jpg "Foxfield")
![A class 108 DMU crossing Ravenglass Viaduct on the Cumbrian coast on a sunny 3 May 1990.<br><br>[Ian Dinmore 03/05/1990]](/images/18000/18718.jpg "Ravenglass Viaduct")
![71000 <I>Duke of Gloucester</I> passes Millom station on the Cumbrian Coast line with a charter special to Carlisle on 9 February 2008.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 09/02/2008]](/images/32000/32321.jpg "Millom")
![Steam age infrastructure survives today at Foxfield, including the water tower seen here in October 2010. The signalbox once controlled the junction for the Coniston branch but now just a section on the line from Barrow to Millom. The green building next to the crossing is the Lamp oil Store for the semaphore signals. The station survives as a request halt on the edge of the Duddon estuary. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/10/2010]](/images/31000/31118.jpg "Foxfield")
![Looking north from Foxfield's island platform the sharp curve where the line turns west to cross the Duddon estuary can be seen. It then heads south to Millom before turning north again towards Whitehaven. When this station was a junction for Coniston the platform was covered by an overall roof, now long gone. The white building in the distance stands on the Coniston branch formation. The line enjoys a reasonable Monday to Saturday service but no trains on Sundays. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 17/10/2010]](/images/31000/31127.jpg "Foxfield")
![Three items of interest in this view of Seascale's southbound platform. The old Furness Railway water tower is a prominent local landmark. To its right is the old goods shed, which is now the town's Sports Centre. On the platform itself is a <I>Harrington Hump</I> which provides level access to trains. These were pioneered at the station of the same name, just north of Whitehaven, and provide a cost effective alternative to raising low platforms along their full length. They are appearing at various Cumbrian Coast stations and elsewhere in the UK. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/43000/43983.jpg "Seascale")
![156426, on a Carlisle to Barrow service, calls at the Drigg request stop on the Cumbrian Coast line. The station building is now used as a craft and coffee shop. The rail served BNFL facility at Drigg lies alongside the station.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/43000/43990.jpg "Drigg")
![Bootle, on the Cumbrian Coast line, looking south over the level crossing. The small signal box still controls semaphores that protect the crossing.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/44000/44013.jpg "Bootle (Cumbria)")
![Looking south towards Ravenglass at Drigg station in July 2013. The mechanical signalbox controls colour light signals that protect the level crossing and form a block section between Sellafield and Bootle boxes. Note the steps on both low platforms to allow easier access to the trains. Presumably these will in due course be replaced by the new <I>Harrington Humps</I> as at Seascale, the next station north of here. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/44000/44028.jpg "Drigg")
![Looking west along the remains of the short Eskmeals (Vickers Gun Range Sidings) branch to the coastal ranges that are still in use today and can be seen in the distance. Opened by the Furness Railway in 1897 and still in regular use in-the 1980s but believed to have been lifted in mid 1990s. [With thanks to all who responded] [See image 44057] for a view in the opposite direction. Level crossings map reference SD088925<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/44000/44051.jpg "Vickers Gun Range Sidings [Eskmeals]")
![Looking north east along the trackbed of the Eskmeals gun range branch towards the junction with the Cumbrian Coast line as a Carlisle to Barrow service passes on 27 July 2013. The Vickers Gun Range Sidings box that controlled the branch access closed in 1983. It had an unusual Ransomes and Rapier <I>horse rake</I> 11-lever frame that is now preserved at the NRM York. [See image 44051] for a view in the opposite direction. Level crossings map reference SD088925<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/44000/44057.jpg "Vickers Gun Range Sidings [Eskmeals]")
![Looking north towards Sellafield on a summer evening at Seascale. A <I>Harrington Hump</I> can be seen at the far end of the platform from where it will afford level access to the front door of trains. Part of the huge nuclear complex is just visible in the cutting beyond the station.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/44000/44125.jpg "Seascale")
![A pair of Class 153 single units calling at Bootle on a service from Barrow to Carlisle on 27 July. The station building is a private residence now but the signal box and its semaphores still control the block section and protect the level crossing.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/07/2013]](/images/44000/44271.jpg "Bootle (Cumbria)")
![Passing shot showing DRS 20304 and 37217 resting between movements at Sellafield on 12 June 2014.<br><br>[Brian Smith 12/06/2014]](/images/48000/48030.jpg "Sellafield")
![Northern 156475 restarts from the Foxfield request stop with a Barrow to Workington service on 27 September. This station, in an exposed location on the Duddon estuary, was until 1954 the junction for Coniston and had an overall roof to allow passengers to change under cover. There is now just a small waiting shelter. The fine signal box, like the others between Carnforth, Barrow and Carlisle, is scheduled to close in 2021. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 27/09/2014]](/images/48000/48899.jpg "Foxfield")
![DRS 37425 prepares to depart from St Bees, Cumbria, on 11 March 2016 with a Barrow to Carlisle service.<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/03/2016]](/images/54000/54578.jpg "St Bees")
![A Carlisle to Barrow Class 153 railcar attached to a Class 142 calls at Foxfield on 11 March 2016. Access to the island platform is via a board crossing at the north end of the station. The water tank on the left looks complete but I don't know if it still has a use.<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/03/2016]](/images/54000/54767.jpg "Foxfield")
![A Class 156 DMU approaches Silecroft whilst working a Barrow to Carlisle service on 11 March 2016. The goods shed still stands out of shot to the left beyond the level crossing.<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/03/2016]](/images/54000/54774.jpg "Silecroft")
![A Carlisle to Barrow Class 153 railcar arrives at St Bees on 11 March 2016. St Bees is a passing place on the single line from Whitehaven to Sellafield.<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/03/2016]](/images/54000/54782.jpg "St Bees")
![With the Duddon estuary over the platform wall to the right, a Barrow to Carlisle service arrives at Kirkby-in-Furness on 11 March 2016. After departing the train travelled in a long left hand sweep around the estuary eventually arriving at Green Road some 4 Kms away as the crow flies but over 6 1/2 Kms away by train with Foxfield station in between.<br><br>[John McIntyre 11/03/2016]](/images/54000/54807.jpg "Kirkby-in-Furness")
![A loco hauled Northern service from Carlisle approaching St Bees station on route to Barrow in Furness on 26/10/2016. Sadly we were not so lucky with our train back to Dalston. It broke down at Workington and the next train terminated at Whitehaven as ours was stuck at Workington. Grandson not impressed!<br><br>[Brian Smith 26/10/2016]](/images/57000/57921.jpg "St Bees")
![37402 emerges from behind Foxfield signal box after calling with a Cumbrian Coast service from Barrow to Carlisle on 11th March 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 11/03/2017]](/images/58000/58453.jpg "Foxfield")
![A Northern Class 156 calls at Seascale on 25 March 2017 while working the 1533 hrs from Barrow to Carlisle.<br><br>[John McIntyre 25/03/2017]](/images/58000/58780.jpg "Seascale")
![A somewhat unconventional view of St Bees. 37402 seen through the front of a loco-hauled set.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 08/05/2017]](/images/59000/59294.jpg "St Bees")
![Corkickle station, now an unstaffed halt serving the south area of Whitehaven. The old station building is seen from a Cumbrian Coast train heading for Barrow-in-Furness in November 2017. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/11/2017]](/images/61000/61886.jpg "Corkickle")
![DRS 68029 and 68019 on a stabling road outside the Sellafield plant between flask train duties. 13th November 2017.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/11/2017]](/images/61000/61933.jpg "Sellafield")
![Immediately north of Foxfield station the railway swings sharply to the west to cross the Duddon Estuary before turning south for Millom. 37401 is just passing the Foxfield Advance Starter with the 2C49 Barrow to Carlisle service on 13th November 2017. The bridge over the Duddon is just beyond the small cutting seen here. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/11/2017]](/images/62000/62010.jpg "Foxfield")
![Class 37 hauled Cumbrian Coast services pass at St Bees on 13th November 2017. The substantial signal box controls the passing loop between the single line sections from Whitehaven and Sellafield, and the level crossing. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/11/2017]](/images/62000/62035.jpg "St Bees")
![The siding at the Low Level Waste Repository facilities at Drigg. This lies a short distance north of Drigg station and is seen here from a train heading north along the Cumbrian Coast in November 2017. Occasional nuclear loads for the Drigg repository originate a short distance north of here at Sellafield.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 16/11/2017]](/images/61000/61923.jpg "Drigg")
![37401 <I>Mary Queen of Scots</I> pulls away from Millom with a Barrow to Carlisle service on 19th February 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 19/02/2018]](/images/62000/62953.jpg "Millom")
![156459 calls at Millom with a Barrow to Carlisle service on 19th February 2018. There is still an engineers siding, accessed under the road bridge, behind the Carlisle platform but it is very overgrown. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 26/02/2018]](/images/63000/63160.jpg "Millom")
![1550hrs at St Bees station was definitely the place to be on a weekday, as this was when the two Class 37 passenger sets met and exchanged single line tokens. This was the scene on 8th March 2018 with 37402 heading for Barrow and 37405 for Carlisle. That same day Northern announced that a Class 68 would after all take up one of the diagrams so this scene will probably become a thing of the past. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63142.jpg "St Bees")
![The access to remote Nethertown station could easily be missed but for this large double arrow sign at the junction of the long approach lane, which is unsurfaced and steep at the far end. To the left of the sign another railway location, the Isle of Man, can just be made out. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63188.jpg "Nethertown")
![Nethertown station was a passing loop until the 1970s but only one platform is in use now. This remote but atmospheric halt on the Cumbrian Coast sees four 'on request' services each way on weekdays. This was the scene on a sunny 8th March 2018, looking towards St Bees Head, with two passengers waiting for the train. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63189.jpg "Nethertown")
![The double arrow sign at the junction of a minor road with this very minor lane seems a little out of place but it would be easy to miss Braystones without it. The station itself is down a steep hill beyond the visible section of the lane. 8th March 2018.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63221.jpg "Braystones")
![The tiny station at Braystones is in a remote but spectacular location on the Cumbrian Coast. Note the <I>Harrington Hump</I> and two sets of portable steps on the single platform as a southbound service hurries through on 8th March 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63222.jpg "Braystones")
![Green Road station, an unstaffed halt on the Cumbrian Coast line near Millom. For many years now the station has been cared for by a community group and the flower and plant displays have won several awards. A working party was on the station on 8th March 2018 when this view was taken from the level crossing looking towards Millom. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63388.jpg "Green Road")
![156486, heading from Barrow to Carlisle on 8th March 2018, slows to call at Nethertown, one of four trains a day in each direction timetabled for this request stop. The wide trackbed is a reminder that this cliff top station was once a passing point with two platforms but has been a plain single line since the 1970s.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63425.jpg "Nethertown")
![37402 slows to call at Silecroft with a Barrow to Carlisle service on 8th March 2018. The signal box here still controls semaphores [See image 2236] and the old goods shed can be seen on the left of the picture. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63505.jpg "Silecroft")
![Looking south from the station footbridge at Sellafield on 8th March 2018, with the DRS depot on the left inside the secure area. The sidings alongside the running lines often see DRS locos stabled between flask duties [See image 61933] but not on this occasion. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63516.jpg "Sellafield")
![View from the north end of Sellafield station, looking past the signal box, on 8th March 2018. DRS 66301 is stabled at the head of a long rake of GBRf box wagons, with a classmate on the other end of the train. The siding, alongside the single track to St. Bees, is on the formation of the long closed line to Egremont.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 08/03/2018]](/images/63000/63645.jpg "Sellafield")
![Looking north from the footbridge at Sellafield on 8th March 2018, showing the unusual layout of the platforms. The island platform has a wire mesh fence as it only serves trains on the left hand (northbound) track. Heavily used by workers at the nearby plant the station had over 200,000 recorded passengers in 2016/17, a similar number to that handled by Whitehaven. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/03/2018]](/images/63000/63238.jpg "Sellafield")
![Kirksanton, one of two level crossings just north of Millom, is manually operated by a gatekeeper based in the green hut who also controls protecting semaphore signals. There was a station here very briefly but it closed in 1857. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 09/03/2018]](/images/63000/63244.jpg "Kirksanton Level Crossing")
![68018 <I>Vigilant</I> brings up the rear of a Barrow to Carlisle passenger service as it pulls away from Corkickle and enters the single bore Whitehaven Tunnel on 13th March 2018, the second day of Class 68 operation on some of these trains. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/03/2018]](/images/63000/63198.jpg "Corkickle")
![The Furness Fells of the Lake District form a back drop as DRS 68017 accelerates towards Foxfield after the Kirkby-in-Furness stop. The train is a Barrow to Carlisle service on 13th March 2018. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/03/2018]](/images/63000/63309.jpg "Kirkby-in-Furness")
![Grab shot, from a northbound train, of the Barrow platform at Drigg on 13th March 2018. Since my last visit [See image 44028] the portable steps have been replaced with a <I>Harrington Hump</I>, as at most of the stations on this line. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 13/03/2018]](/images/63000/63401.jpg "Drigg")
![37403 <I>Isle of Mull</I> swings round the curve at Foxfield propelling the SO Carlisle to Lancaster train into the station on 24th March 2018.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 24/03/2018]](/images/63000/63459.jpg "Foxfield")
