Carnforth Station and Visitors Centre - Home of Brief Encounter

Carnforth Station & Visitor Centre

Early Photograph of Carnforth Station

Carnforth Railway Station was opened in 1846 by the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway Company and was originally just a single platform. In 1857 it became a junction and a small engine shed was built.

In 1856, a small station was built following the connection of the Furness and Midland Railway lines. A year later a new station was constructed which remained open until 1st August, 1880, when a new station was constructed at a cost of £40,000. Aerial Photograph of Carnforth Station Late 1930s

Carnforth station was completely rebuilt in 1937 by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company, financed by over £53,000 of government-funded money. As part of the improvements, a 890 ft long platform was added for the Furness trains, and the longest unsupported single piece concrete roof in Britain was erected. Carnforth developed into a bustling junction linking stations across the North West from Cumberland through to Leeds.

Brief Encounter Refreshment Room

During the two World Wars thousands of servicemen passed through Carnforth Station en route to duty overseas.

In 1945 David Lean filmed his romantic classic “Brief Encounter” starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. Carnforth was chosen by the Ministry of War Transport as it was remote and safe from attack. Filming had to take place at night between 10pm and 6am so as not to interfere with daytime train operations.

The demise of steam and radical reorganisation of the railways by Dr Beeching in the 1960's led to a gradual rundown of the station.

Carnforth Station

Carnforth’s mainline platforms were closed down and physically removed in 1970 prior to electricification of the West Coast Main Line. Carnforth was then reduced to a branch station and the buildings gradually fell into disrepair.

The Carnforth Station and Railway Trust Co Ltd was formed In November 1996 for the purpose of restoring the now derelict buildings. A £1.5 million project was commenced in late 2000 in cooperation with Railtrack, and after three years work, the Brief Encounter Refreshment Room and Visitor Centre was opened on 17 October 2003.