Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Road Stations in Manchester at their own expense, where there would be a buffet car train to take them forwards. A 1st Class fare at 35/3d was also available on this train. It was announced that from the 7 th , there was to be a reduction in all rail fares. The 3rd Class would come down by 25%, and return tickets would remain valid for three months instead of just four weeks. Returns would also be exactly double that of the equivalent single fare, which would also translate to another slight reduction. These changes would not be reflected in any day trip or excursion fares. Some examples from Accrington would include - Destination Old single New single Old return New return Blackpool 7/1d 4/10d 10/10d 9/8d Crewe 10/9d 7/9d 16/1d 15/6d Liverpool 8/5d 6/- 12/6d 12/- Birmingham 21/3d 15/2d 31/6d 30/4d Leeds 8/11d 6/5d 13/6d 12/10d Newcastle-upon-Tyne 29/1d 20/- 42/11d 40/- London via Manchester 41/10d 30/1d 61/10d 60/2d Preston 3/4d 2/6d 5/6d 5/- June Whitsuntide was quiet on the railways. Both the half-day and evening excursions to Blackpool were well patronised, but the ‘special’ to York attracted only modest support. Other excursions during the month included repeats to Hull, Coventry, Grassington, Ilkley, Arnside and the coastal cruise to Anglesey via Liverpool. Another addition however, was the ‘All-in’ holiday to Scotland, which included a guaranteed seat on the trains, accommodation and all meals, with an adult price of £14 – 14s – 0d and a child under fourteen at £10 – 10s – 0d. July On Saturday and Sunday, it was possible to travel by service train to Blackpool for 4/3d or Southport for 4/-, whilst the half-day fare to Blackpool was 3/9d, to Southport 3/3d and to Morecambe 4/3d, all starting in the late afternoon. For the start of the annual ‘Wakes’ passengers were urged to use the special trains for their journeys rather than ordinary service trains, which were on Friday night, the 18 th - The 20:55 for Bristol for 56/4d, Taunton for 69/6d, Exeter for 78/6d, Teignmouth for 82/10d, Newton Abbot for 84/4d, Torquay for 86/2d and Paignton for 86/8d. The 21:40 to London or by the 08:33 on Saturday morning for 60/2d, (with bookings through to the south coast or the Isle of Wight optional). The 22:24 for Fleetwood, for the Douglas IOM sailing for 41/2d, or the 08:49 on Saturday to Thornton (for Cleveleys) for 9/8d, then Fleetwood for 11/2d. At 00:55 on Saturday morning the 19 th , there was a train for Carlisle for 30/6d and Glasgow for 60/10d. On Saturday morning the trains were the 08:20 or 10:58 to Bridlington for 31/6d, Scarborough for 32/8d, Filey 33/8d and Butlin’s Filey Holiday Camp for 34/8d. Other specials on the 19 th , were at 8am to Morecambe for 12/4, the 08:25 to Liverpool for 12/-, the 09:34 or 12:03 to Southport for 9/2d. Daily trains would operate to Liverpool for the 10:45 steamer to Llandudno for 26/-, or to Menai Bridge for 29/-. On Wednesday, the 23 rd , there was a choice of two specials. The first departed Accrington at 9:47 and was described as a ‘Scenic Tour’ via Skipton to Ingleton where there was a 3 hour stay, then on to Morecambe for a 4 hour sojourn, before returning from Morecambe Promenade at 8pm, the fare 10/6d. The second was to Longsight for Belle View at 2/9d, with reduced admission for adults at 1/-, children 6d. The train left Accrington at 16:25 and returned from Longsight at 22:18. Cricket was extremely popular and fans could travel to see Burnley versus Accrington for 11d, Haslingden at home to Enfield for 11d (to Helmshore station), and Nelson at home to Accrington for 1/5d. August On Sunday, the 10 th , the first excursion was for Ilkley departing Accrington at 11am, with fares to Skipton 3/3d, Embsay 3/6d, Bolton Abbey 4/- and Ilkley 4/6d. The return left Ilkley at 7pm. Departing Accrington at 11:32, the second excursion was for Leeds for 5/6d, via Bradford 5/-, Keighley 4/6d, Skipton 3/3d, return was from Leeds City at 19:30.

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