The Rails Which Circled the World

The Rails Which Circled the World. . The West Cumbrian town of Workington is steeped with a remarkable industrial history that has almost been forgotten. The Moss Bay Steelworks was once proudly responsible for the production of vast quantities of steel rails which were shipped to railway building countries all over the world., Nothing now remains - not so much as a plaque or even a sign to remember 129 years when the Cumbrian town of Workington made its own unique contribution to the history of rail. Nothing whatsoever to remind the dog-walkers on the path overlooking the Irish Sea - unimaginatively called 'Derwent Howe'- that the land beneath their feet is a scaled-down remnant of the slag bank which once cast large shadows across the town., The 'Rails Which Circled the World" project will change all of this. In and around your railway station you will from the beginning of West Cumbria's see an array of historical information rich coal mines through to the blast furnaces of the steel plants scattered across Workington. Exhibits can be seen depicting what once was a thriving industry employing many of the local communities within West Cumbria., Step inside and learn about the long shifts in the mines where both children and adults worked together; where ships docked to be loaded and took steel rails all over the world; how women stepped in at the steelworks whilst the men went to war and how the Bessemer lit up the night sky for all to see., We hope this project will give children and adults a chance to appreciate what life was like during this era, but also a trip down memory lane for those that lived during these demanding, difficult but rewarding times., Special thanks to Laurence Hilland, Workington Focus Group, Phil Boggley, John Harkness, Derek Woodruff Times and Star and the many individuals and organisations that have contributed, helping to bring this project to life.