Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

On February the 9 th 1956, seven Metro-Cammell 2-car diesel multiple units, drafted in for this purpose, took over the operation of the majority of passenger services connecting Accrington with Manchester Victoria via Bury and Clifton Junction. On Monday, the 13 th , it was a replay of the Chelsea/Burnley 4th Round tie at Stamford Bridge. Departing Huncoat at 06:48, Accrington at 06:55 and returning from Euston at 17:55, the fare was 35/- on a special train with a cafeteria car. It was the FA Cup again on Saturday, the 18 th , and Rovers’ 5th Round tie was away at West Ham United. The fare was again 35/- and the train left Accrington at 06:48, Church 06:52 and Rishton at 06:56, returning from Euston at 17:55, with light refreshments available on board. Tickets were restricted and early booking was essential. In the morning of Sunday, the 19 th , some trains from the west and south were terminating at Accrington and passengers were being taken on by buses, due to rolling maintenance work being carried out on the lines. Trains affected were the 06:33 Blackpool North to Todmorden and the 07:00 Manchester Victoria to Skipton, which would terminate at Hapton. The 07:20 Colne to Preston would terminate at Rose Grove and passengers retrained at Hapton The 08:00 Accrington to Manchester Victoria would depart 7 minutes later at 08:07. At Accrington Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, the 15 th , an appeal was made on behalf of engine driver Bernard Hill of Oswald Street in Oswaldtwistle, who was found stealing coal from the engine sheds. It was stated that PC Johnson was on duty at Church & Oswaldtwistle Station, when he observed the accused walking along a platform with a sack over his shoulder. When asked to stop he jettisoned the sack and ran away, and this was later found to contain an amount of coal similar to that used in the tenders of locomotives. Due to his previous good character and the fact that he had worked on the railway for 37 years, Mr Rowland, his solicitor said, “I hope that the British Transport Commission can see their way to allowing him to keep his job, as instances of this nature were normally punished with instant dismissal”. He had been earning anything between £10 and £12 per week on the footplate. On every Saturday to April 21 st , (March 21 st , excluded), there would be day trips to Blackpool and to Southport at 4/3d return. On Saturday, the 25 th , Stanley were away to Hartlepool United, but fans would have to change trains in Todmorden and Leeds after leaving Accrington on the 09:11. The fare was 17/6d and the return train left West Hartlepool at 17:06. ( Stanley lost 2 - 1.) March There were repeat trains to both Doncaster and Coventry on Sunday, the 4 th . MP Harry Hynd had made representations in the House of Commons for retired railwaymen to be included in a Bill receiving its second reading as The Pensions (Increase) Bill, covering all sections of Government workers, from Judges to Police Officers and Teachers. He admitted it was true that railway workers were not directly employed by the Government until after Nationalisation, but meant some were now existing on as little as £2 per week in pension payments. Workington was visited again on Saturday, the 24 th , this time for Stanley’s away game. The return fare was 14/9d with changes in both Preston and Carlisle in both directions. ( Stanley drew 0 – 0.) On this same day Rovers were away at Port Vale and a special departed Accrington at 10:43 returning from Burslem at 17:28 for a fare of 8/-. The excursion to the Grand National left town at 11:10 returning from the Sefton Arms at 17:22 and the return fare was 7/6d. On Good Friday, there were repeat trips to Fleetwood, Ilkley, Llandudno and Millom, whilst on Sunday, the 25 th , Barrow was the destination, and Liverpool or New Brighton on Saturday, the 31 st . Football excursions also ran on Good Friday to Mansfield, for 10/9d, departing Accrington at 13:08 returning at 19:45. ( Mansfield 3 – Stanley 2. ) April The Coventry excursion was repeated once more on Easter Sunday, the 1 st . A spokesperson at Accrington Station said the poor weather over the Easter weekend had not deterred people from going to Blackpool, and Fleetwood was proving a more popular destination, but overall “numbers had not been exceptional”. Bookings were strictly limited on a special which departed Accrington at 23:55 on Friday the 5 th , to go overnight to London for the England v Scotland International at Wembley played on Saturday the 6 th . The return fare was 43 shillings and the return, also overnight, departed Euston at 23:37. On Saturday, 7 th , Stanley were away to Derby County for 11/- return. By departing Accrington at 10:22, fans could see the game and return from Midland at 17:30. ( Derby 6 – Stanley 2 .) On Sunday, the 8 th , the choices were Morecambe, with a change in Lancaster for 5/9d. There was another trip to Millom, or Skipton then Grassington for 6/- with an organised ramble from the destination. Burnley were away at

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