Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Western Railway between September 1944 and May 1947, first at Ebbw Junction and latterly at Oxley Sheds in Wolverhampton. 1952 January Railway excursions began early in the New Year, starting on the Sunday, the 6 th , with Wolverhampton the first destination for 11/9d, then Dudley Port 12/6, Birmingham New Street 12/9d, and Coventry 15/-. This train would depart Accrington at 10:02, Church at 10:05, and would contain a buffet car. Returns were from Coventry at 19:45, New Street at 20:10, Dudley Port 20:22, Wolverhampton High Level 20:45 and arrive back in Accrington just before midnight but would not stop in Church. On Saturday, the 12 th , there was a football special to Nottingham for Blackburn Rovers away cup tie with Forest. It would depart Accrington at 08:54 and Church at 08:58, with light refreshments available. The return was from Nottingham Midland at 16:50 with the fare at 13/9d. The evening trips to Blackpool would operate again on Saturdays, the 5 th and 12 th , with a 1/- entry to the Tower or Winter Gardens on top of the 3/9d return fare. March It was fortunate that there were only three passengers on the two trains which collided in Accrington Station and none of these were injured, as they were not travelling at speed. Excursions were again going to Coventry on Sunday, the 9 th , via the same route as before, and this time the train would contain a buffet car. Departing at 10:02 from Accrington 10:05 from Church, and the fares were to Wolverhampton 10/9d, Dudley Port 12/6d, Birmingham 12/9d and Coventry 15/-, where the return train would commence its journey at 19:45. On Saturday, the 15 th , a football special would take Blackburn Rovers supporters to Leeds City Station for their away game. Fares were 5/9d from Church and 5/6d from Accrington where the train would call at 12:12, returning from Leeds at 17:40. Another special would be off to Hull on Sunday, the 23 th , calling at the ‘usual’ stations, departing from Accrington at 11:30, and returning from Paragon Station at 19:35. The fare to Hull was 11/- and light refreshments were available on this train. The evening trips to Blackpool would again be in operation on Saturdays, the 15 th and 22 nd , with the 1/- supplement an optional extra. On Saturday, March 29 th , another soccer special would call in at Accrington at 08:50, Church 08:56 and Rishton 09:04, this time bound for Hillsborough Sheffield, for Rovers FA Cup semi-final tie with Newcastle United. Accommodation was strictly limited and the fare to Midland Station was 8/6d, with the return departing at 19:30. April Football was very much a source of revenue for the railways, and fans could travel to Hampden Park to see the Scotland versus England game by departing Accrington at 11pm on Friday, the 4 th , with a return from St Enoch Station at 23:30 on Saturday night for a fare of 41/6d return. Excursions would also operate to Aintree for the Spring Gathering on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th for 7/6d return. The train was the 10:06 to Preston where there was a change of trains to the Sefton Arms. On Grand National Saturday, the ‘special’ train would depart Accrington at 10:37, Church at 10:42 returning from the Sefton Arms at 18:06. British Railways were repeating several of their excursion trains over the Easter weekend, to the North Wales Coast, New Brighton, Millom, Grassington and Ilkley. There were also tickets available for Burnley’s away game with Manchester United on Easter Monday, on the 12:35 for 2/10d return. Exceptionally warm weather encouraged trippers to turn out in big numbers, with over 1,000 passing through Accrington Station in half an hour on Monday, heading for either Blackpool or Southport, with about 500 leaving on another of the evening excursions to Blackpool. May An interesting addition to the normal destination was an excursion to Saltaire & Otley via Skipton. This ran on Sunday, the 4 th , and the fare to Skipton was 4/2d, to Saltaire 4/6d and to Otley 5/-. This train would depart Accrington at 11am, returning from Otley at 19:30 and Saltaire at 19:45, and there were organised rambles from both Saltaire and Otley. Anyone lucky enough to have a ticket for the Newcastle United versus Arsenal Cup Final could depart Accrington at 23:59, on Friday, the 2 nd , and return from Euston at 10 minutes past midnight on Sunday, the 4 th for 42/- return. Those wishing to attend the British Industrial Fair held in Castle Bromwich on Saturday, the 10 th , could do so for 21/3d return, but would have to cross between Victoria and London

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