HOW passenger and freight trains were made up and sent to their destinations on time — before the era of electronics — was described by Ron Herbert in a talk to members of the Cumbrian Railways Association.

He started as an assistant controller at Preston station in the 1960s when painted wooden wall boards represented routes to places like Fleetwood, Burnley and Carnforth — with progress recorded by moving little pegs.

Mr Herbert said: "All the detail was there in front of you — painted on a piece of wood."

Other speakers at the association's spring meeting at Kendal Rugby Union Club were Mike Taylor and ken Harper.

You can find out more about the work of the association on its website at www.cumbrianrailways.org.uk