UNTIL the modernisers took over in the 1960s, railway stations, locomotives and rolling stock were festooned with enamel and cast iron signs, posters, lamps and rail company fittings and furniture.

What didn’t end up in the scrap yard has survived to be seen in museums, at preserved railway lines and in private collections.

The October 1 sale by Great Northern Railwayana, at Hazel Grove, Cheshire, has two items for sale with Barrow links.

The first is a painted sign on aluminium which is quite weathered but readable.

It notes the Barrow goods station opening hours which were Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm for general goods and coal.

You could get coal only on Saturdays from 7.30am to 12.30pm.

There is also a cast iron plate which would have been fitted to a 3,000 gallon water tender, number 3663, built in 1927.

This would have been pulled by the Fowler 4F-class steam locomotive, number 44439, which was built at Crewe in 1927.

This pairing of loco and tender was based at several railway depots, including Barrow, Workington and Carnforth, before being withdrawn from service in April 1964.

Railways of a smaller size feature at Barrow Sixth Form College on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9 for the transport exhibition staged by the Furness Model Railway Club.

The club is now in its 60th year and this will be the 54th exhibition featuring model railway layouts, model boats and engineering, trade stands and displays from railway societies.

It is open from 10am to 5pm on both days and there will be a shuttle bus service to the Rating Lane site from Barrow Railway Station and Barrow Town Hall.

Expected layouts include Charlewood, Cardinal Falls, Parrot Hall, Crow Tree Depot, Westmorland Bay and Chaple Wood.

You can find out more on the website at http://furnessmrc.webs.com/exhibition.htm

Among the society displays will be that of the Cumbria Railways Association which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

It has more than 450 members and organises conferences, walks and produces books and journals on the history of railways in the county.

You can find out more on its website at http://www.cumbrianrailways.org.uk