The introduction of railways during the early 19th century into the remote counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire north of the sands transformed the mainly rural communities. Such industries as already existed were able to expand and new ones could exploit the area and a new supply of labour. Most importantly, tourism grew rapidly in the Lake District as the new north-south rail links transported thousands of holiday maers into the area. Through a series of archival pictures and documents, this book traces the rise and slow decline of the Cumbrian railways.