Hello Everyone, in this video I travelled along the 10 mile ‘Lakes Line’ between the main line station at Oxenholme to Windermere. My journey began at Windermere where I learnt more about the history of the line while seeking out the former station buildings as well as looking back at the once impressive track layout. As I travelled back along the line calling at the intermediate stations of Staveley, Burneside, and Kendal, there was evidence all around about how the growth of excursion passengers and local businesses were important to the development of the route. Nowhere was this more evident than at Kendal with its once ‘handsome and substantial’ station that was opened in 1861. Originally built as a double-track main line with through links to destinations as far away as London, it was reduced to a single branch line in May 1973 following a steady decline in the number of tourists using it throughout the 1960’s, along with the suspension of freight traffic in 1972. There are no passing loops or sidings on the route which is now operated under ‘One Train Working with Train Staff’ regulations. Today, Northern Rail operate regular hourly services along the line with some services extending as far as Lancaster, Preston, and Manchester. The line is once again well supported with the vast majority of passengers travelling to the end of the line at Windermere. I hope you enjoy the video.