Do you know that during the 1790's there had been a plan to construct a canal between Newcastle, Carlisle and Maryport?  Canals were being built throughout the country in the 1700's providng a more effective means of transporting goods, such as coal, textiles, pottery. 

A scheme, developed by William Chapman and published in 1795, was presented to Parliament in 1797 but was withdrawn after opposition. A canal scheme was subsequently approved and opened in March 1823 linking Carlisle with the Solway Firth.

After the opening of this section of canal William Chapman was asked to look at options for Newcastle to Carlisle.  On 8 June 1824, he wrote "it is now more economic to build a railway". 

An important milestone for the railway we have today.

On 9 April 1825, the first meeting of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway Company was held.  James Losh was appointed chairman. The initial task for the company was to raise funds so that the route could be surveyed.  By May 1825, £251000 had been pledged (about £20 million today). 

It took almost 40 years to complete the railway as we know it today.  Opened in sections, the final section to be opened was into Carlisle's Citadel Station.

Along with other rail organisations throughout the country, we are celebrating 200 years of railways as well as the innovation of people associated with the area who contributed so much to rail travel today.  

A human sundial has been installed on the forecourt of the railway station at Haltwhistle.  You may ask, why?  Before the advent of railways, villages, towns and cities used their own local time but as railways were expanded throughout the country, railways companies realised there was a need for a standard time.  Learn more in the image below.