Carnforth railway station

Infobox UK station
name = Carnforth


manager = Transpennine Express
locale = Carnforth
borough = Lancaster
start =
platforms = 2
lowusage0405 = 149,649
lowusage0506 = 157,240
lowusage0607 = 150,824

Carnforth railway station is a railway station that serves the town of Carnforth in Lancashire. The building was designed by architect William Tite and was famously used as the location in the 1945 film "Brief Encounter". It is now operated by TransPennine Express.

History

Carnforth station was opened in 1846 by the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway Company (LCRC). It originally had a single platform and was a second-class station. It became a junction in 1857 when it was adjoined to the Ulverston and Lancaster Railway as its terminus. Soon afterwards, the Furness Railway began operating to Carnforth.

The station was enlarged during the 1870s and in 1880 was able to receive trains from the Midland Railway. Meanwhile, the LCRC had been taken over by the London and North Western Railway Company (LNWR) and Carnforth was under joint management by Furness, Midland and LNWR. Station personnel wore a uniform with the initials CJS for Carnforth: Joint Station.

A major rebuilding project, including a new 300 yard platform, took place in 1938 with government funding.

"Brief Encounter" was filmed there in February 1945. The station clock became a powerful icon through repeated use in the film.

The West Coast Main Line platforms were closed in May 1970 and the platform walls facing the fast lines were demolished. Carnforth effectively became a branch line station.

After lying in a semi-derelict state for many years the railway station buildings were rejuvenated between 2000 and 2003.

There is now a visitor centre as well as the "Brief Encounter" Refreshment Room, a number of shops and a travel/ticket office.

Operators

Carnforth is served by two train operators.
* TransPennine Express operate regional express services from Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness via the Furness Line.
* Northern Rail operate local services along the Furness Line to Barrow-in-Furness, and the Leeds to Morecambe Line to Skipton and Leeds. Some services continue beyond Barrow to Sellafield or Carlisle via the Cumbrian Coast Line. Northern Rail services are operated using diesel multiple units of Classes 142, 144; very occasionally Classes 150, 153, 156 and 158 make an appearance. Carnforth is also the headquarters of the West Coast Railway Company.

The edges of the through platforms that served the West Coast Main Line have been demolished and bartered back making them no longer usable.

External links

* [http://www.carnforth-station.co.uk An extensive website about Carnforth Railway Station]

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