Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

One type of locomotive which became commonplace on the lines through East Lancashire, was the ubiquitous Hughes Class of 2-4-2 tank locomotives, the first of which #816 came to Accrington sheds when new in April, 1905. The class was sturdy and reliable at handling passenger trains, some lasting well into the British Railways era. This particular example was withdrawn in May, 1943. Built in July of the same year number 1463 and 1464 of this type also came to Accrington, and of these 1463 was fitted with a tapered chimney and blastpipe. Then it was extensively used on trials on the Colne to Blackpool route. 1906 January At a meeting of the Town Council, the Town Clerk was authorised to write to the L & Y to ask why they had restricted cheap bookings to 3rd Class passengers travelling to Manchester and Liverpool, whilst requiring 1st and 2nd Class passengers to pay the difference between the ordinary 3rd Class fare and the ‘excursion’ rate. The letter pointed out that this was unfair for citizens travelling to the named cities, to pay more than those being granted to persons taking cheap bookings to seaside resorts. The Council requested the Railway Company end this ‘unfair’ practice. February The Town Council received a reply from the L & Y in response to the Council’s recent representation on the subject of fares. The Railway Company declined to agree to the adoption of 1st and 2nd Class excursion rates for journeys between inland towns. April The General Works Committee met when it was pointed out that by agreement with the L & Y, in connection to the Town’s New Yard and the widening of the railway in that location, a strip of 575 square yards would be taken away from Willows Mill. This would result in a reduction in size of the buildings, and the occupiers, E. J. Riley, would then be tenants of the Railway Company at a rent of £20 per year. Also that about 1,000 square yards of land to the immediate west of Willows Mill which would eventually form part of the Town’s New Yard, and was currently used as sheds in which to season wood and as storage, would be required to be included in Riley’s lease. These could now be lost to them unless the L & Y gave them permission to use it! It was resolved to grant E. J. Riley an extension to their lease which included this land, (subject to the approval of the Railway Company), for a term of a further ten years. ( E. J. Riley was a manufacturer of high quality billiard tables and other top sports equipment. They also had rolling stock specially adapted for the conveyance of their goods. ) June The Health Committee received correspondence from the L & Y on the subject of the ‘sanitary arrangements’ for the staff employed at their coal sidings. 1907 January At a meeting of the General Works Committee, it was resolved to erect a sign at the junction of Manchester Road with Oak Street, indicating that Oak Street led to the railway station by the shortest route. It was further resolved that the Town Clerk should write to the L & Y calling its attention to the condition of the road bridges over the railway on Arago Street and Penny House Lane near to Strawberry Bank. The Borough Surveyor, Chairman and Vice-Chairman were authorised to oversee the necessary repairs to the steps leading from Grant Street to the subway under the railway. During 1907 the L & Y were offering ‘Weekend Tickets’ between Accrington and Skipton at 7 shillings 1st Class and 3/6d 3rd Class. Travel was out by any train on Fridays and Saturdays, returning by any train on Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays. September The General Works Committee met again and heard from the Town Clerk, that if the proposal to construct a footpath under the railway arch on Whalley Road on the eastern side was to go ahead, it would involve having to relocate the premises of Mr Douthwaite, a plasterer. The Town Clerk was instructed to ask the L & Y that if this scheme was to go ahead, would they allow the embankment there to be excavated to allow Mr Douthwaite to be accommodated in new premises. December At a meeting of the Town Council it was resolved to bring the attention of the L & Y to the condition of the road over the railway on the bridge over Penny House Lane at Strawberry Bank. 1908 July At a meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee, it was resolved the L & Y would be granted the ‘privilege’ of fixing a timetable and noticeboard on the Corporation’s premises at the junction of Market Street and Blackburn Road in Church, at a rent of 15/- per annum. At a meeting of the General Works Committee, the Borough Surveyor was requested to look into the viability of widening the bridge over the L & Y’s tracks at Strawberry Bank ( Penny House Lane ), and to submit an estimate of the cost to this Committee. At another meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee, the

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