Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Manchester City on the 14 th , leaving at 12:46, the return fare was 3/3d, and supporters could return on any of the 17:55, 18:23, 20:07, 21:20 or 22:25 trains from Victoria. However, if spectators had tickets for the Scotland v England game at Hampden Park, they would have to go overnight on the 00:14 train and return overnight from St Enoch at 23:30. From July 21 st , through to August 4 th , special period returns would be available to Lytham and all stations to Blackpool at 6/6d. There must have been a shortage of people coming into the industry as on April 10 th , BR placed an advertisement in the Observer under the heading - NOW HERE IS THE JOB FOR YOU. It explained there were opportunities to apply for jobs in the motive power department, “ as part of the team which operates 17,000 engines, 42,000 carriages and keeps over 1 million wagons moving over the busiest network in the world ”. It went on to say that BR was just about to embark on a modernisation plan, with new diesel and electric locomotives, which will pull the expresses. There would be more lines electrified and improved signalling as well as new rolling stock. It advised those interested to apply to the nearest stationmaster, where details of the special allowances and facilities were on offer for people who were prepared to work in ‘certain’ areas. On Sunday, the 22 nd , there were return excursions to Hull and Workington, along with a trip on a ‘Diesel’ train to Harrogate for 7/9d, Knaresborough 8/- and York 10/-, and early booking was advised as seats were ‘strictly limited’. On Saturday, the 28 th , a special went to the British Industrial Fair, held again at Castle Bromwich, whilst on the following day specials to Chesterfield and Coventry were repeated. At a meeting of the Highways Committee, the Town Clerk submitted Circular N o 725 from the Ministry of Transport & Aviation, setting out details of terms agreed with the British Transport Commission, which transferred the responsibility for maintaining road surfaces over their railway bridges to local authorities. It stated that these should be negotiated between the Commission and the authorities concerned, in order to ensure that the short lengths of surface corresponded with the standards on the roads leading up to them, as these were an integral part of the highway. The Borough Treasurer reported that the only stretch of road surface in which the Council was directly involved, was that over the railway on Arago Street, in which respect the Council had received a small payment for many years. The Highways Committee met again, when the Town Clerk reported that in order that the British Transport Commission could carry out repairs to the level crossing on Station Road in Huncoat, the road had been closed between 07:30 and 17:00 on Sunday, April 15 th , and that the Automobile Association had put up temporary diversion signs for the convenience of motorists during these hours. May For the 1956 Cup Final between Manchester City and Birmingham City, a special train was arranged to depart from Accrington at 00:40 on the Saturday morning. The choices were Wembley or London at 43/- return. Coming north the train would depart Euston in the early hours of Sunday, May 6 th , at 00:47. Booking early was required as seating was ‘regulated’. On Sunday, the 6 th , another diesel railcar special left Church at 10:20, Accrington 10:24, on a circular run to Morecambe for a fare of 7/-. It would go out via Skipton and return via Preston, allowing 2½ hours in Ingleton and 4½ hours in Morecambe. Once again advanced booking was essential. Another repeat was the trip to Barrow, whilst there were organised rambles from Hawes, Askrigg and Aysgarth from an excursion to Leyburn. June Those wishing to see the IOM TT Races would have to depart on Thursday night the 6 th , on the 23:35 to Fleetwood. The options were 3rd Class throughout at 25/-, or 3rd Class rail and 1st Class on the steamer for 29/-. The ever popular excursions to Coventry and Barrow operated again on the 17 th . People were being advised to book in advance for all the overnight specials to the West Country resorts, which would operate on Friday nights commencing on June 22 nd , and operating through to August 17 th . With a change of trains in Manchester off the 19:17 from Accrington, selected period return fares included to Minehead for 66/-, Dawlish 70/6d, Teignmouth 71/-, Torquay 74/-, Paignton 74/6d, Newquay 94/-, Penzance or St Ives 100/-. Tickets were valid for 15 days. On Sunday, the 24 th , the trips were repeats to Chesterfield and North Wales resorts to Llandudno. BR were again advertising for employees, but this time the emphasis was on “track and maintenance workers”, where over 51,000 people were already employed over the network. In 1956 evening return trips were available on Saturdays to Blackpool, from Accrington at 4/-, Church & Oswaldtwistle at 3/9d and Rishton at 3/6d on certain selected trains as follows - Date Accrington dep. Church & Oswaldtwistle Rishton dep.

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