This station served an unusually large number of railway companies, though it was built by only two of them jointly, the Caledonian and the Lancaster & Carlisle. Others were the North British, the Midland, the North Eastern, the Glasgow & South Western, and the Maryport & Carlisle. The station therefore experienced periodic expansion from the original, mostly of the train shed. However most of the building remains, little altered.
Tite was architect to the Caledonian (see entry for Perth Station but compare with entry for Gosport). At Carlisle he adopted a Tudor style. The ashlar sandstone facade facing the square is notable for its octagonal clock tower and for the arcade of Tudor arches at the entrance.
By Road: It is in central Carlisle.
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