5 disused and abandoned railway stations in Cumbria

Trains are getting faster and new rail routes are being built every year to keep the country better connected.

However, in order to progress some railway stations and routes have had to be abandoned.

As a result, there are many abandoned and disused stations lurking around the county.

We've taken a look at some of the train stations in Cumbria from years gone by.

The Bolton Loop

In 1862 the Maryport and Carlisle Railway Company secured an act to construct the "Bolton Loop" from Aspatria to Aikbank Junction.

Carlisle - Maryport Railway

When you look at the map it appears to be an alternative to the main line but it was in fact the Mealsgate Branch running from Aspatria to Mealsgate and a branch from Wigton meeting at Mealsgate and was always regarded as two lines and not one.

The Bolton Loop section of the Maryport and Carlisle Railway line started at Aikbank Junction (GR217465), immediately west of the River Waver, the line headed south turning SW at High Blaithwaite.

Brampton Railway

The Brampton Railway began at Brampton Town (NY538611) and climbed steeply for half a mile then rising slightly for three quarters of a mile to Brampton Junction (NY550600) this being the only section to have a regular passenger service.

Brampton Railways. Copyright Malc McDonald

The original alignment was due east from Brampton Coal Staith to Tindale Fell but it was realigned via Brampton Junction when the Newcastle & Carlisle line opened in 1836.

Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway

When the Carlisle & Silloth Bay Railway & Dock Company (C&SBRDC) opened their Carlisle to Silloth line in 1856 it utilised the Port Carlisle Branch as far as Drumburgh and the remaining part of the Port Carlisle line then became a horse worked branch.

In the distance are the remains of an old railway bridge. This was on the sadly dismantled Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway (1856-1964).Copyright Rose and Trev Clough. Copyright Rose and Trev Clough

In 1954 the Carlisle & Silloth Bay Railway became the first line in the country to have steam trains replaced by diesel units but even so it closed completely ten years later.

The Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway

The construction of the Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway (CK&PR) was brought about by the need to transport iron ore and pig iron from West Cumberland to the north east and coke in the reverse direction.

A bridge plate from the Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway being sold at Thomson, Roddick and Medcalf on August 2.********This picture has been acquired from an external source. It may have been submitted or downloaded from the Internet. Seek approval

Since 1998 The Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railways PLC (CKPR PLC) have been seeking support for their project of reopening the Keswick - Penrith section. The cost of rebuilding the line is estimated at £25m but half of this was to have been funded by the SRA as part of the Transport Plan and Cumbria County Council has indicated that it would be prepared to consider funding applications.

Port Carlisle Railway

The 11-mile Carlisle - Port Carlisle Canal opened in 1823 but 31 years later it was converted into a railway to Port Carlisle thus becoming one of several railways in Britain built over a canal.

Old Port Carlisle and Bowness on Solway Silloth Railway Station

The Route Today - A short section of embankment can be walked from the point where it passed under the road at Drumburgh and about a mile near the end of the line can be followed along the shore. Part of the Roman wall and vallum alongside the line between Drumburgh and Glasson is an Ancient Monument.