THIS week the nostalgia section features a Barry Railway Company inspector proudly wearing his uniform and cap in the early part of the 20th century.

It was taken by Gale’s Studio Ltd.

Barry Railway Company opened its first railway line in 1889, delivering coal from Rhondda to Barry Docks.

It also opened a passenger line from Barry to Cardiff, part of which is still in use today.

The job of inspector included representing the railway company at inquests.

It was common people took shortcuts across the rail lines at Barry Dock.

In 1889 a 25-year-old brakesman was killed by the 9.44am from Cardiff whilst taking a shortcut to work.

In 1892 a 15-year-old boy also taking a shortcut was caught between carriage buffers and killed.

At the inquest the coroner added that dock railways, as a rule were desperately dangerous and the public ought to be very cautious.

The Barry & District News would like to thank Cllr Shirley Hodges for the photograph and information.

If you have an old Barry photograph you would like to see included, with information about what it depicts, email sha@barryanddistrictnews.co.uk