After all these years our very first full-length Sunday rail services began on 20th May – and very welcome they were too! Designed to end the isolation of our remote communities along the Cumbrian Coast – and provide a timetable fit for modern-day travel – the trains ran on time, the sun shone, and there were happy, smiling faces all round!
A special celebration was held at Millom to welcome the first 9.33 arrival and subsequent 9.40 departure to Barrow-in-Furness. In traditional manner the event was heralded by bagpipes and an enthusiastic flag-waving crowd, whilst the café provided coffee and delicious bacon-buttys to satisfy the Sunday morning appetite. Members of the CRP were there with their families – just in case the younger members wish to follow their father’s footsteps in the world of Community Rail!
Further along the line it was good to see many people using the Sunday services for a sunny day out at Ravenglass, and Whitehaven was particularly busy with the new morning trains to Carlisle.
A day to remember then – and a real thank you to all train-crew at Workington and Barrow depots for making it such a success.
Picture – Courtesy of CN Group