Wherever there is a railway – modern or heritage – you will find a decent pub nearby.

Before the advent of the railways, cross country transport was by canal and the canalside pub had a serious role to play in providing refreshments, supplies etc to passing boatmen. In South Devon the Double Locks on the Exeter Canal is a good example.

The terminus stations of branch lines often had a pub nearby. My own local – the Queens Arms in Brixham was right by the station and the remains of the line overlook the pub. 

It is alleged that one engine driver made use of the pub – and the equivalent at Churston – to literally wet his whistle with cider each journey. By the end of the evening he was often not in a fit state to continue and the fireman had to take charge. Whether this is true we don’t really know.

I suppose the commonest name for such a pub was the Railway Inn, Hotel or Arms. One surviving locally is the Railway by Newton Abbot Station (pictured on the right below) – now renowned for its own ales brewed there. The Railway Hotel at Princetown is like the actual line – now disappeared. Another railway pub I have visited was at Downham Market on the line to Kings Lynn in Norfolk.

A lovely little bar built into the old booking office and a boon to commuters. Sadly this has also closed.

Around the country there are increasing number of good quality pubs and bars open or opening on Stations. One which has been open for over 20 years, winning many awards, is the Buffet on Stalybridge Station. On Sheffield and York stations bars have been opened as the Sheffield Tap and York Tap. The former is in beautifully restored Edwardian Refreshment and Dining Rooms  and now has its own brewery visible form one of the rooms. It serves and award -winning selection of ales – especially from Thornbridge.

The York Tap is run by the same company. Needless to say Wetherspoons have a number of outlets on stations – but most of these are modern and not oozing with character.

Away from the stations themselves, pubs still have railway themes. In Truro the City Inn is in the shadow of the huge viaduct which takes main Great Western Line over the edge of the city, The sign is very different to the usual as there is a different picture on each side.

When I photographed them (see above) they were in need of some TLC.

A similar sign in a similar situation is the Bridge at Durham – modern enough to show the wires for the electrified line.

Locomotives often appear on pub signs – not surprisingly here at the Locomotive at Newton Abbot and also at the Barrow near Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Derbyshire.

This is the last remaining operational roundhouse in the country with an operational turntable and was saved from demolition and is now a working museum. Unfortunately some signwriters/painters are not renowned for the their railway knowledge. At the Fenman in Kings Lynn they have added a strange 6 figure engine number never carried in the UK. The Industry at Chesterfield has a locomotive from the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway – definitely lost!

It is good to see that some heritage railways have pubs or bars on the platform. The Severn Valley Railway is a good example with the King and Castle at Kidderminster

and the Railwayman’s Arms at Bridgnorth. The South Devon Railway doesn’t have a permanently open bar but runs beer festivals two or three times a year in a purpose built bar in Staverton goods shed.

The Dartmouth Steam Railway also does a festival at Kingswear.

So – next time you are on a train journey – look out for a decent pub close by!