BARTON & BROUGHTON

Clive Taylor

This article was compiled following the purchase of a picture postcard showing the station, and with information courtesy of the late Paul E. Berry. Paul was brought up in one of the railway houses at Barton & Broughton. He recalled that all of the Lancaster & Preston Junction  Railway station buildings, with the exception of Garston & Catterall, were basically the same. The latter, and buildings erected subsequently, were of the standard LNWR wooden pattern.

At Barton & Broughton, the original stone-built station buildings were on the down platform. Paul recalled that the crates and baskets on the platforms would be empty pigeon returns to the north, the porter releasing various numbers of birds from the north, some having arrived on the milk trains. The wheelbarrow was both a welcome and not welcome friend – more often than not it was parked in the way on the narrow platform. There were no chairs in the waiting room, but there was a large trunk which could usually be found there and was still present in 1928. There was a huge coloured picture of an ocean liner hung in the room, whilst off it was the entrance to the station master’s house. The bay window was where the booking office was accommodated. With thick window glass, the only light inside was when the outer door was shut in the waiting room.

In the early days, when people were used to horse travel, they had no speed comparisons and upon seeing an express at the distant signal would, unfortunately, attempt to beat the train over the level crossing. Following some near accidents, the level crossing was replaced by a bridge before the turn of the century.

Following closure of the crossing, the stone platforms were lengthened and provided with wider patent facing ‘stones’. The porter’s trolley crossing was placed at the ramp ends under the bridge and in front of the lay-by sidings. At the same time a new LNWR standard wooden structure was added on the up platform to provide ladies and general waiting rooms.

The middle house of the main buildings on the down platform had a fog bell linked to the signal box and the house was occupied by Mr. Metcalf, the head ganger . The end house was the porter’s,   but as this position was held by local people the house was not occupied. By the up booking office there was a machine dispensing Nestles milk chocolate bars at 1d each. If ever anyone found it empty, it was only necessary to tell the station master at the booking office. No one was ever refused.

Like all L&P Jct. Railway stations, Barton & Broughton had its own pillar box and this was situated in the alley leading to the brick structure used to store the coal for the station master’s house. This was given late clearance as the porter put the letters in the G.P.O. box in the guard’s van of the last train.