28 January 2026 Railways Remembered: Lake District and North Lancashire

Charles Roberts, Chairman of the Online Transport  Archive (OTA), was the presenter at Chichester Branch January Zoom meeting.  His subject was “Railways Remembered: Lake District and North Lancashire”.  Charles, who had previously given a presentation to our Branch (Railways Remembered in North East England), reminded viewers of the origins and objectives of the OTA, to preserve transport images and make them available via books.  He was delighted to report that the OTA had now secured its own premises, where the Archive could both be securely secured and scanning, etc.

His latest talk was in support of the OTA’s next book he had co-authored, of the same title, the publication regrettably delayed, but was due later this year.  This talk was to present a few images from the book, but mainly others not included, and within the parameters of Carlisle in the north and Preston in the south.  The WCML and Cumberland Coast, plus some of the branch lines were included.

By Charles’ own admission, some of the images presented were not of greatest quality, but were of historical importance.  It was pleasing to note that the photographers, whose work was shown, were duly credited throughout, with a potted history given. Of particular note were images of the former OHE services between Lancaster and Morecombe and the East Lancs side of Preston Station, with its unusual end-on sidings.