Lazonby Station, 1977

Lazonby station on a very overcast day in August, 1977.

At this time, the station was closed to passenger traffic other than the summer "Dalesrail" specials that ran occasionally at weekends. These services were intended to provide access to the Eden valley for tourists. It was by no means a regular service and I can remember there once being a notice at the station saying "Sorry - no train in August".

The station building on the northbound platform was occupied by the bakers, Bells of Lazonby. They still occupy the premises today. The offices are much neater than in the 1970s and the office workers have a view from across the platform.

In 1977 there was a disused siding on the northbound platform which has since been filled in. The platforms were too low for easy access to the trains and the levels of the platforms are now much higher than as seen in the photograph.

Happily, regular train services were restored in the 1980s and trains stop in both directions on an approximately once every two hours schedule from early morning until early evening.

The station has been much improved and has a much pleasanter appearance than in 1977.

It is to be hoped that with the expansion of Lazonby and the continued interest in the Carlisle and Settle line that the decision to re-open the station will continue to be a success.