Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

had first been mooted in the early 1930s by the then MP, Major H. A. Proctor, as one means of improving the industrial prospects of North East Lancashire .) In 1954 the following 3 locomotives came into the allocation - Origin Built New Type Class. Number In Out Withdrawn Stanier ‘Black 5’ Vulcan Foundry. Mar. 1935 4 – 6 – 0 tender 5MT 45078 June 1954 Jan. 1960 Oct. 1965

51474

L & Y Aspinall

Kitson

Sep. 1880

0 – 6 – 0 s/tank

2F

Apr. 1954 July 1954

June 1957

51497

L & Y Aspinall

Vulcan Foundry Apr. 1881 0 – 6 – 0 s/tank

2F

Aug. 1954

Dec. 1957

May 1959

1955 (The main London trains were now the 08:00 ex-Colne, departing Accrington at 08:33, followed by the 11:28, (Colne at 10:55). There was also a 16:08 which had four carriages which were transferred onto a Manchester to Euston service in Stockport.) January The signalman at Huncoat Sidings Box was called to give evidence at an inquest into the death of Frank Day, a 32 year old from Within Grove. He stated he had looked out and seen a man standing some 120 yards away on the lines, shortly after which two trains had crossed in very quick succession. He had then observed a body on the lines and immediately called the police and the Stationmaster at Huncoat. Dr H. Q. R. Wheeler, the police surgeon, told the Coroner that the cause of death was multiple fractures of the skull due to a severe impact. The Coroner recorded an open verdict. The evening dancing special to Blackpool would be operating again on the 15 th . Football specials to Kirkdale Station for Everton v Burnley at 5/6d return on the 15 th , departing at 12:22, and to the same station again on the 2 nd , this time for Rovers second division game at Anfield v Liverpool, departing Accrington at 12:34. On Sunday, the 23 rd , the excursions to Leicester and Hull were repeated, whilst there was a special to Blackpool departing Accrington at 12:18, returning from Blackpool Central at 19:20, fare 4/3d. An impending strike by members of the National Union of Railwaymen was called off at the eleventh hour. When, before Christmas, the Transport Commission had looked into paying a “reasonable” wage, it was made known that the Railway Staffs National Tribunal had come down on the side of the Union and had placed its findings before the Government. Even though it had made a profit of £9million in 1953, the Transport Commission had decided to sell off the road haulage sector of BR, so no deficit would have been incurred. But it was predicted that profits would fall to £7million in 1954, because only one third of the wagons in the total fleet had been bought. A member of the BRS Board, Mr G. W. Quick, had stated the sale of vehicles should stop and the remainder left to operate under the British Road Services banner. MP Harry Hynd said, “This was not only about the pay of the workers which should be revised, investment was needed in new carriages, freight wagons and stations, and it was essential to make improvements to the permanent way to allow for faster speeds and to invest in new diesel and electric locomotives”. February Return trips to Blackpool were on sale at 4/3d on Sunday, the 5 th , on the 12:08 from Accrington returning on the 19:20, also on Sunday, February 27 th , departing at 11:38 returning from Blackpool at 19:15. On Saturdays February 26 th , March 5 th and 12 th , evening trips to Blackpool on the 16:38 cost 4/- return from Accrington, 3/9d from Church & Oswaldtwistle. For 1 shilling extra you could also have a reduced admission to the Tower Ballroom. Return was on the 23:15 from Blackpool Central. On Sunday, the 5 th , departing Accrington at 11:08, the destination was Otley for 5/-, also a special ran to Barrow for 10/- return on Sunday, the 13 th , leaving at 10:15. Stanley were away at Crewe Alexandria on the 5 th , departing Huncoat 11:28 for 6/9d, Accrington 11:34, Church 11:38 both at 6/6d, and on the 12 th , to Wrexham at 8/- return, leaving Huncoat at 11:30, Accrington 11:35 and Church 11:40. Cafeteria cars were included on both these specials. ( Results - Crewe 0 - Stanley 3, and Wrexham 3 - Stanley 1 .) Also on the 12 th , Rovers were away at Plymouth Argyle, which meant departing Accrington on Friday night on the 22:00 to Manchester, and crossing to London Road outwards and return. The fare was 42/- and the return was from North Road Station at 20:05. Sunday, the 27 th , was a busy day with repeat excursions to York, Chesterfield and Millom. Advanced notice of specially reduced period return fares during Accrington’s holiday weeks were

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