Taking a step out of Blackburn Railway Station more than 100 years ago and you would have seen a very different view in comparison to today.

Electric and steam-hauled tram cars and horse drawn carts would have whizzed past your feet.

The building itself has not changed externally since it was opened in September 1886.

The station replaced a previous one which had served the town since the coming of the railway in 1846.

The old station, about a quarter of the size of its replacement, with no booking hall and only two platforms just a few inches high, was built on land called Stonybutts somewhat further back than the new building and was largely hidden from view by a wood yard.

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway paid £21,000, or £2,590,000 in today's money, for the site of the new station and installed a clock that was guaranteed not to lose or gain five seconds in a month.

In the centre of the Boulevard stands the old cabbies' shelter, which is said to have been part of an antique railway carriage.

The station opened and was regarded highly by a Mr S. Duckett, who issued the first ticket from the new office.

Despite being the oldest employee and having lost a leg in the service of the railways, he stayed on duty all night in order to be able to do the honours the next day.