CUMBRIA'S railway companies produced a bewildering array of branded items as they expanded across the countryside in the Victorian era.

Modernisation and the closure in the 1950s and 1960s of many lines and stations - including the Coniston and Lakeside branch lines - released a flood of collectables.

The next sale by G. W. Railwayana, of Pershore in Worcestershire, includes several items produced for the network of lines and stations operated by the Furness Railway.

From 1846 to 1923 the Barrow-based freight and passenger transport operator produced a wealth of items bearing its name, initials or coat of arms.

They ranged from hotel cutlery and notepaper to station signs and seats.

The sale on Saturday, July 15, has a pair of cast iron Furness Railway platform seat ends, with am connecting bar and replacement wooden slats. Similar seats have sold recently for up to £1,000 and feature a squirrel design.

There is also a nickel-brass pocket watch engraved "Furness Railway 131".

The enamelled dial bears the name of the Barrow retailer W. Hird.

It is thought to date to around 1860 and could sell for £50 to £100.

A Furness Railway whistle stamped "F. R. Pway 281" is also among the lots on offer.

It is an Acme Thunderer model made in Birmingham and would have been used by a permanent way track gang to attract attention or warn of danger.

The whistle should make up to £50.

The Furness Railway became part of the much larger London, Midland and Scottish Railway after 1923 and a whole new range of rail company items were produced.

Among them were enamel station name signs, familiar across the country from the 1950s.

One of these "totem" style signs for Sellafield in West Cumbria is included in the G. W. Railwayana sale.

It has one repaired chip but is otherwise in good condition.

A similar sign made £340 at auction three years ago.

If you want to see the range of railway collectables available, check out the Carnforth Railwayana event being held on the platform at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre on Sunday, July 30.

The event is open from 9am to 2pm and will have everything from rail company buttons and badges to vintage card tickets, timetables and lamps.

Carnforth Station heritage Centre also has a display of railway-related items, exhibitions and information about its links to the filming of the movie Brief Encounter.

There is also a museum of railway relics at Main Street, St Bees, called the West Cumberland Railway Museum.

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway has recently re-opened its expanded museum at the back of the car park on the Ravenglass end of the line.