I was always deeply fascinated
by Barrow Haven – a remote halt on the banks of the River Humber with,
when I first saw it, narrow gauge railways serving the tile works going
under the standard gauge line linking New Holland Town to Barton. A sturdy
wooden building without a platform faced the single platform across the
track – I learned later this had been moved from Brocklesby in the early
1900’s and the building was saved from demolition by being taken to a private
railway museum at Kirton Lindsey. It was later moved to the Burgh
le Marsh railway museum, but since that museum closed its present whereabouts
is unknown.
LEFT: Close up of the station name board and station garden!
View of the waiting room and ticket office – note the creosoted
hut containing the staff toilet, the smoke issuing from the stove chimney
and the weather beaten enamel station name board of this true branch line
halt.
From the village side of the station both the platform, the
"thunder box" hut and the station building are visible.
End view of the station building revealing a more modern staff
convenience.
The crossing was really an occupation crossing serving the
Humber Bank and a wharf,
here seen with a delivery lorry crossing the track.
LEFT Interior view of the railman’s catering facilities –
kettle, hotplate and water heater as well an internal phone.
RIGHT This view of the interior gives some idea of the rudimentary
clerical area and sturdy woodwork., notices, etc.
LEFT The waiting room gave few concessions to comfort but
would have been infinitely preferable to the
open sided bus shelter which replaced it -- at least in the
wooden building there was shelter from the howling
gale from the adjacent Humber.
RIGHT A fine pot bellied stove and a good supply of coke
kept the passengers (what passengers?) warm – again, a facility totally
absent once “modernisation” and “progress” had left their mark.