Former Cleator & Workington Junction Railway at Harrington Junction, 1951

Image: © Walter Dendy, deceased Taken: 21 Apr 1951

This is a puzzling photograph, taken in April 1951 when the Railway was still open for goods and mineral traffic (until about 1963) although passenger services had ceased in 1932. It is difficult to be quite certain about the location, but the shadows show that the direction must be northward, with the former High Harrington station (closed 4/4/31 to passengers, 1/7/63 to goods) not far behind. As long as the many collieries, iron-mines, and iron- and steel-works remained active, the railways in West Cumberland were incredibly complex, belonging before the 1923 Grouping to a number of different Companies, apart from the principals (London & North Western, Furness and Maryport & Carlisle). It would seem that this is the main line of the C.& W.J.R., looking towards Workington Central, with the branches to Harrington Harbour and to the Derwent and Moss Bay Iron Works turning off to the left. [?].

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