Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

advertised to Lytham and all stations to Blackpool at 6/6d. These were valid on any outward train with a return on any train within a 16-day period. March There was a special train to New Clee Station for Stanley’s away game with Grimsby Town on Saturday, the 5 th , departing Church at 10:15 for 12/6d, then Accrington 10:20, Huncoat 10:27 both for 12/3d return. There was a cafeteria car on this train and the return was at 17:48. ( Grimsby 2 Stanley 1.) On the same day a 3/- return would get fans to Manchester Victoria for Burnley’s away fixture at Manchester United, departing at 12:47 returning at 17:50. On Sunday, the 6 th , there were repeats of the Doncaster and Coventry excursions, whilst on Saturday, the 19 th , a special went to Rotherham for Rovers away game, departing Accrington at 12:05 and returning at 17:25 for 8/- return. On the same day Stanley were at Rochdale with a fare of 2/9d return on the train leaving town at 12:47 and returning at 17:30. There were evening trips to Blackpool on Saturdays the 12 th and 19 th , returning from Blackpool at 22:45 and 23:15 respectively, as well as regular day outings on selected service trains to both Southport at 4/- and Blackpool all at 4/3. It was Grand National Day on Saturday, the 26 th , and the fare to the Sefton Arms Station was 7/6d. April The evening trips to Blackpool would continue to be available throughout the month. Special trains ran on Good Friday to Fleetwood departing 10:25 returning at 19:30 for 5/-. At 09:53 there was a repeat excursion to Llandudno and the North Wales resorts as well as another run to Ilkley. On Saturday, the 9 th , there was a return trip to Liverpool and/or New Brighton, whilst Rovers fans could go to the away match at Hull City for 11/-, departing at 10:56 and returning from Paragon Station, at 6pm. On Easter Sunday, once again the Coventry excursion was running, along with a repeat to York. Easter Monday Rovers were away again at Lincoln City and a special departed Church at 10:26 returning from Lincoln Central at 18:08 for 12/6d, with the bonus of light refreshments on board. For those who favoured the peace of the countryside Grassington was the other special on Monday. It was announced that Accrington Goods yard might in future only be used for the handling of full wagon loads, with small goods being processed in Blackburn. The Town Clerk, Mr Jack Gartside, was instructed by the Council to write to BR to protest against this proposal. MP Harry Hynd was also vehemently opposed to this ‘streamlining’ of services by BR. It was a right royal day for the railways of Accrington on the 14 th , as HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited East Lancashire. Having spent the previous day on the Fylde Coast the empty stock of the Royal Train was brought into Accrington from Poulton sidings behind double headed ‘Black Fives’ numbers 45020 from Edge Hill Shed in Liverpool, and 45045 which was a Holyhead locomotive. In Accrington the train went around the curve from the Blackburn line onto the Bury line where the two engines were detached, whilst an ‘Austerity’ 2-8-0 freight locomotive was coupled on the other end to take the eleven coaches, weighing in at almost 500 tons tare, to Colne. It was here that the Royal party would retrain later in the day. Meanwhile Accrington Sheds were preparing ‘Jubilee’ 4-6-0 engines 45571 ‘ South Africa ’ and 45574 ‘ India ’ both from Blackpool North Sheds to take the train on to Wigan North Western Station at 16:45. On the footplate of train engine South Africa, were driver Eddie Stones with fireman George Watson, whilst driver Bob Shackleton with fireman Allan Pilkington, were the crew on pilot locomotive India . This pairing ran light engine, tender first, from Accrington to Colne to take the train via Rose Grove, Padiham and Great Harwood to Blackburn and then via Cherry Tree and Chorley to Wigan. The locomotives were then detached and returned light engine to Accrington for servicing. It was said that both these Jubilees were in immaculate condition due to the work of the staff at Accrington Sheds, who were under the supervision of Alex Carefoot the foreman cleaner. At a meeting of the General Purposes Committee it was reported that the British Railways Executive was proposing to close Accrington Goods Station as from May 1 st , and this would result in a greater amount of goods traffic being transferred to Blackburn in the future. It was resolved that the Town Clerk should convey to the Transport Executive, this Council’s objections to this proposal in the strongest terms and in the way the Executive had avoided giving prior notice of their intention to the Council, as it was a matter of ‘vital’ importance. It was further resolved to seek the support of the local Member of Parliament in this matter. The evening trips to Blackpool would operate throughout the month.

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