Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

CHAPTER 10

STEAM’S FINAL FLING ( The second half of the decade began as the post British Railways era had ended, with the public using the railways for leisure to the same degree, but things were about to change. Excursions advertised on diesel multiple units (DMUs) were now introduced at first as a novelty, with seats limited, which in itself made them sought after. Now lagging behind many countries which had already embarked on major introduction of diesel and electric traction, the British Railways Board was now moving towards a period of modernisation. This inevitably meant that steam, which had served the country so well for over a century, was now to become obsolete, even though some of the best steam locomotives were still being built. Accrington was at the forefront of the railcar replacement programme in the north, and turning local services over to this mode of transport probably staved off some closures until the sixties, but could not forestall some significant reductions by the end of the first year. ) 1956 January With an allocation of 5,000 tickets it was not surprising that BR were operating a special train to Kirkdale for Stanley’s away FA Cup 3rd Round tie with Liverpool on Saturday, the 7 th . It would depart Huncoat at 11:08, Accrington 11:15 and Church 11:18 all at one fare, 5/6d. The return would leave Kirkdale at 16:33, with the option of coming back from Liverpool Exchange at 17:45, 20:00 or 21:10. ( Despite a good show Stanley lost 2 - 0 in front of 48,385 fans. ) There were also trains to Bury for their game against Burnley, and to Northampton Town for Rovers away tie, seats had to be booked in advance for this special which would depart Accrington at 08:23 and return at 17:05. The fare was 22/6d. The following weekend Burnley were at Birmingham City changing off the 08:33 in Stockport at 16/-. Light refreshments were available on a special for Barrow for Stanley’s away game on the 14 th , leaving Accrington at 11:13 returning at 18:20. ( Barrow 3 - Stanley 1. ) There was also an evening trip to Blackpool with reduced admission to the Tower on production of the rail ticket. Millom was a repeat destination on the 15 th , whilst three established favourites would operate on Sunday, the 22 nd , to Chesterfield, Hull and Leicester. Stoke City was the venue for Rovers’ game on Saturday, the 16 th , for 8/- return, leaving Accrington at 10:52 returning from Stoke at 17:03. Work began to construct new cattle holding pens on the Paxton Street side of the railway station on a spur to the rear of the Colne platform. February On the morning of Thursday, the 2 nd , frozen points were the cause of 3 wagons of a 26 vehicle goods train derailing between Accrington and Huncoat, two of which toppled over onto their sides. The accident occurred whilst the locomotive was reversing the train across the main lines adjacent to the cricket ground. The Newton Heath breakdown gang were summoned to assist the local crew, but the line remained closed up until 11:23, when the delayed Todmorden to Blackpool went through. Passengers travelling between Colne and Blackburn, Preston or Manchester, were only slightly inconvenienced, as their trains were diverted to run via the North Lancs Avoiding Line through Great Harwood. Accrington Corporation buses were waiting at Rose Grove to take passengers onward to Hapton, Huncoat and Accrington until the line was reopened. Stanley were away at Carlisle on Saturday, the 4 th , the fare was 14/- return, the train departing Accrington at 10:06, with the return train from Carlisle at either 18:52 or 20:35, changing at Preston both ways. ( Stanley had a 4-0 victory. ) Burnley were away to Manchester United departing town at 12:46 to Manchester Victoria for 3/3d return. Fans could return from Victoria at 17:56, 18:23, 21:07 or 22:25. On Sunday, the 12 th , all stations from Lancaster to Barrow was the repeat excursion. Advanced notice was given of reduced ‘period’ return tickets over the holiday weeks, valid from July 21 st , to August 4 th , from Huncoat, Accrington, Church & Oswaldtwistle to Lytham and all stations to Blackpool at the bargain price of 6/6d. It was significant day in the evolution of passenger train services on the East Lancs Line, when on Monday the 6 th , the first of the Diesel Multiple Units appeared operating timetabled services. These were of the early generations of the type.

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