Carnforth Coaling Tower

Today's the day .......................... to look over the wall

It was my first day as an apprentice volunteer at Carnforth Railway Station - and I've learnt lots!

This is a view which is not normally seen by members of the public taken from the top of the building, looking over the wall into the yard of the West Coast Railway Company.  The huge concrete structure in the background is a coaling tower or coal stage used to load coal into steam locomotives.  This one is no longer in use but it's probably the high cost of demolition that has saved its preservation as one of only two left in existence in the UK.

The West Coast Railway is a private company which provides locomotives, stock and crews to other companies within the rail industry. It operates charter trains throughout the year, many of which are hauled by steam locomotives and it has grown to become the UK's leading special trains operator. 

Probably the most famous of their steam locomotives is No 5972 Olton Hall - better known as  the 'Hogwarts Express' train which features in the Harry Potter films........................