Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

called at Ripon at 11:55 and Harrogate at 12:18. It then ran via Ilkley at 13:04 before calling at Colne (13:48), Nelson (14:00), Burnley Bank Top (14:11), Accrington (14:40), Blackburn (14:52), Preston (15:17) before finally reaching Blackpool Central at 15:51. The fare from Newcastle to the resort was 8/- return and to Accrington, Blackburn or Preston this same fare applied. However, it did give the passengers travelling to the resort ample time to sample its delights, as the return train did not depart from Central until 22:55, giving them over a seven hour stay. It returned via the same route calling in at Accrington at five minutes to midnight. What made it even more remarkable is that it would not get back to Newcastle until 04:00 on the Monday morning. Buses would meet this train on its arrival back in Middlesbrough (03:53) to take the passengers onward over all the ‘main’ routes, at a fare of 3 pence per ticket, which had to be purchased at the same time as those for the excursion and these were available in advance of the day. Remarkably the LNER marketed this as a “Half-Day Excursion on a tourist class train”, even though it lasted for almost eighteen hours! September On Saturday, the 1 st , Rovers were away to Rotherham United, departing at 11:52 the fare was 8/9d with a return from Masborough Station at 17:30. The following day specials were off to York and Workington again, whilst the Railwaymen’s Carnival was also being held on the 2 nd at Belle Vue. On Saturday, the 8 th , Stanley supporters could see their away game at Southport for 4/3d return, by departing at 12:30 returning from Chapel Street at 17:32 or St Lukes at 17:35, or at 19:35 and 19:39 respectively, if they wished to spend more time celebrating. ( Southport 3 - Stanley 5 .) Burnley were also away to West Bromwich Albion which would cost travelling supporters 16/- return to Smethwick, and the following Wednesday another 6/- to Kirkdale, for their game at Goodison Park. Doncaster or Llandudno were the destinations again on Sunday, the 9 th . On Sunday, the 16 th , Coventry was revisited whilst on the 23 rd , the repeat destinations were Hull and Millom. It seems that ‘diesel’ excursions were becoming more attractive, for one to Rhyl ran on the 23 rd , departing Huncoat at 09:30, Accrington at 09:35 and Church at 09:40, returning from Rhyl at 18:20. The fares were 12/-, 11/6d and 11/3d and advanced bookings were essential as seats were strictly limited. The previous day a cafeteria car train took Stanley supporters to Chester, leaving Huncoat at 11:10 with a fare of 8/- Accrington at 11:15 for 7/9d, and Church at 11:22 also 7/9d. The return from Chester General was at 19:10. ( Stanley won 2 - 1. ) It was predicted there were to be substantial cuts to passenger services at Accrington, with as many as 30 trains per day being axed as “unremunerative”. A BR official had said, “It is too early to say just what these cuts will be. However, it is expected that there will be a reduction in the services to Preston, Todmorden and Manchester”. In the summer there were 30 trains per day to Preston and to Todd Lane, along with 7 to Todmorden which provide a valuable connection to destinations in Yorkshire. A Union official had stated, “Whilst we accept that some reductions will have to be made, there were other ways of reducing costs which ought to be examined first. These can be used to make services pay and often not enough consideration is taken of these before a line is closed”. Due to a falling off of custom, the tobacco kiosk at Accrington Station had already closed, and the bookstall would also shut within the next few weeks. One complaint voiced stated, “That the people responsible for making these decisions were too far distant and ignorant of what was actually going on!” An unusual excursion took place on Saturday, the 29 th , to Bradford Forster Square for a performance of ‘The Life Of Christ’, by the Bradford Charity Players. Departing Church at 16:56 and Accrington at 16:58, the fares were 4/3d and 4/- respectively. October Day excursions during the month were to Dent, Doncaster and Workington, all on Sunday, the 7 th , whilst on the day before a special went to Kirkdale for Everton v Rovers. Now the cuts suggested by BR would be 14 trains each weekday and 11 on Sundays slashed from the timetable at Accrington, with in all 7 others altered on the Colne services. MP Harry Hynd had discovered that these changes could be made by November 5 th , and had written to Sir Brian Robertson, Chairman of the BTC, stating these cuts were too severe and would have particular consequences for early morning workers. In Oswaldtwistle, Cllr. J. Rushton had also proposed to protest to the BTC about a reduction in the number of trains stopping at Church & Oswaldtwistle Station. There were repeat excursions to Coventry on Sunday, the 14 th , and Barrow on the 21 st , and football specials to Bradford Park Avenue v Stanley picking up in Church at 12:18 then Accrington and Huncoat for 5/6d, returning from Forster Square at 17:35. ( Bradford Park Avenue 2 - Stanley 0 .) Also to a

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