THERE were no cars or breathalyser tests in Victorian times but you could still end up behind bars in Furness for being a drink-driver of a steam train.

Magistrates in 1876 heard how the crew on a train laying ballast stone on tracks of the old branch line between Foxfield and Coniston were incapable through alcohol.

They were working on a potentially dangerous single line where the three men would need to use passing places to get out of the way of regular passenger and freight trains.

The shocking account was given in a report of legal proceedings in the Barrow Post on September 9 in 1876.

It noted: “Thomas Wilson, driver; Giles Askew, fireman; and Simon Slinger, guard, of the ballst train, were charged before Mr Sunderland, at Ulverston, with being drunk while in the execution of their duty.

“Mr Ingham appeared on behalf of the Furness Railway and Mr Horn, superintendent of the line, attended to watch the case.

“Henry Tyson, station master at Broughton, said that on Saturday at 11am, on the arrival of the ballast train from Coniston at his station, he found the three men under the influence of drink.

“The driver was insensibly drunk, and was lying on the footplate of his engine, the fireman being in charge of the engine, and also under the influence of drink.

“The guard was in his van and was not sober.

“Witness telegraphed to Mr Mason, superintendent of the locomotive department, Barrow, for instructions and in the meantime he put the train into a siding and locked the points.

“He then sent for the police to watch the men, as he was afraid the fireman would run through the points, he having threatened to do this unless the station master took off the signals and let the train go.

“Mr Bonyeard, locomotive foreman, Barrow, stated that he received a telegraphic message from the last witness giving particulars of the state of the men.

“He immediately proceeded with the special engine and another set of men to Broughton.

“He found the driver drunk and incapable on the footplate of the engine.

“The other two men were not in such a bad state but were unable to take charge of the train. They also were locked up.

“The prisoners now pleaded guilty.

“Bonyeard, on behalf of the fireman, stated that up to the present time he had been a steady and hard-working man.

“The bench sentenced Wilson, the driver, to six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labour.

“Askew, the fireman, was fined 40 shillings (£2) and costs, and Slinger, the guard, was fined £5 and costs.

“The wife of Wilson made application to the bench to inflict a penalty in lieu of imprisonment on her husband.

“Mr Sunderland said he was very sorry for her but he could not alter his decision, as a drunken driver was a most serious evil.

“It may be stated that the line from Coniston to Foxfield is single, and this fact adds to the difficulty of working a ballast train safely, which is at all times a duty requiring extreme care, as such a train must be worked along the line at intervals between the regularly running trains.”