THE heart of Barrow's early railway industry was at St George's Square and the Strand — home of the first railway station, the offices of the Furness Railway Company and the Railwaymen's Club.

Sadly, the last pints were pulled at the traditional club in the summer of 2008 — after a 101— year history.

Back in November 1993 the doors had nearly closed for good when it was revealed that the club had debts of £80,000 and had to be rescued by the brewers Bass.

It was a big contrast to the glory days when Champagne corks popped to mark the diamond anniversary of the club in 1967.

Two years earlier, the doors had officially opened on a new-look club which had been refitted at a cost of £12,000 — giving it one of the biggest concert rooms in Furness.

The Barrow News, on March 24, in 1967, noted: "In 1907 the club was known as the Mechanics Institute, but changed to its present title of Railwaymen's Club in 1910.

"One of the peculiarities lay in the fact that it was a temperance club.

"No alcohol of any kind was dispensed."

The club didn't have a licensed bar until 1947.

The resident band in 1967 was Bert Dinnen and his Regency Four.

Jack Lytham was on bass, Reg Williams on drums, Bob Quayle on the electric-mandolin and Bert Dinnen on the piano.