Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

On Saturday, the 17 th , there was a repeat of the train to Bridlington, Scarborough and Filey Holiday Camp, with another departing Accrington at 1pm to Penychain for Butlin’s Pwllheli at 41/6d return, calling at Conway, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan, Bangor, Caernarfon and Afonwen, whilst an earlier train at 08:35 would run non-stop to Caernarfon. Amongst the other specials was one to Skegness for 41/10d return. From Saturday, the 17 th , period returns were also available on specials to Blackpool 9/8d, Fleetwood 11/2d, Southport 9/2d and Morecambe 12/4d. From Sunday, the 18 th , to Friday the 23 rd , and again on Sunday, the 25 th , to Friday, the 30 th , the town ‘Holiday Runabout Ticket’ was again available at 26/6d. During the holiday fortnight there would be repeat excursions to Llangollen, Chesterfield, York, Leicester, Scarborough, Lakeside and Llandudno, with light refreshments available on all these trains. Despite the fact that it was the one of the wettest months, with over 6¾ inches of rain falling during the holiday period, a list of 24 special or ‘enlarged’ trains were advertised to run during the first week, with 19 during the second week. The booking office was open on the Monday prior to the start of the holidays, to accept bookings on these extra trains. Light rain on the Friday of the first week turned into a deluge on Saturday but despite this, bookings were well up on previous years with Accrington’s allocation on all the long distance specials completely snapped up, and despite rough sea crossings the IOM still remained popular. Cricket fans were encouraged to support Enfield at Ramsbottom on Saturday, the 24 th , for 1/7d return, Church at Colne at 2/3d return using any service train. August On Sunday, the 1 st , in conjunction with Ribble Motor Services, and departing Accrington at 10:15, Church 10:19, a train went to Windermere, where following a transfer to coaches Ambleside, Coniston and Newby Bridge would be visited. The fare was 14/9d, the train returning from Windermere Town at 19:05 and tickets had to be booked by Friday, the 30 th , of July. On every Saturday until September 4 th , a special to Blackpool would depart Accrington at 09:01, Church 09:06 returning from Blackpool North at 17:35. On Sunday, the 15 th , there was an excursion to Morecambe departing town at 10:24 returning from Euston Road at 18:45, fare 5/9d, as well as a repeat trip to Llandudno and the North Wales resorts. There were trips to Southport from Accrington on Saturday, the 7 th , Sunday, the 8 th , and Saturday, the 14 th , at 12:24, 11:34 and 12:30 respectively all at 4/- and returning at 19:50 on every day. On Sunday, the 8 th , both York and Millom were revisited. Return specials ran to Barrow, Grassington and Hull on Sunday, the 22 nd , and on the previous day it was 1/2d return to Helmshore Station for Enfield’s game at Haslingden, or 1/- return to Rose grove for Accrington’s game at Lowerhouse. On the final Sunday of the month the excursion was to Fleetwood, departing town at 10:55 returning from Fleetwood at 19:50 for 5/- return. Very advanced notice was given of ‘Pantomime Specials’ to Leeds where at the Grand Theatre Vic Oliver was starring in Old King Cole, and special trains would operate from East Lancs on New Year’s Day, January 15 th and 22 nd , and February 5 th and 12 th , in conjunction with performances. Following seven months of fruitless negotiations over pay, both the NUR and ASLEF were threatening strike action by their 700,000 members, 25,000 of which were employed in the North West Region between Crewe and Carlisle. The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association was also planning to meet with the Transport Commission in their dispute. September On Sunday, the 5 th , the excursions were repeats to Workington or York. Period overnight returns to London would be available every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until further notice at 40/- with a change of station from Victoria to London Road in Manchester. Departing Accrington at 22:09 and returning from Euston at 00:40. These tickets would be valid for a period of 17 days. Specials would continue to operate to the Railwaymen’s Carnival at Belle Vue on the 11 th , to Morecambe for the Illuminations at 5/9d return with admission to Happy Mount Park at 1/- extra for adults and 6d extra for children. Overnight on Friday, the 17 th , departing Accrington at 22:00 the destinations were Bristol 29/-, Newport 27/6d, Cardiff 29/- and Swansea 30/-. Blackburn Rovers’ fans could also avail themselves of this train for their game against Bristol Rovers, by returning from Temple Meads at 00:10 on Sunday. Passengers would have to cross between the main stations in Manchester in both directions. Coventry would be the destination on Sunday, the 19 th , along with Millom, whilst on the 27 th , Chesterfield was again the objective. A ‘special’ designed for ramblers would also operate on the 27 th ,

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