Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

gave the L&NWR running rights into East Lancashire. It also meant that the journey times between North East Lancashire and London could be cut from in excess of seven hours to just over six. The L & Y continued to run some trains which were designated ‘Parliamentary Trains’, which included all those running on Sundays. These trains were obliged to provide covered accommodation for 3rd Class passengers in the rolling stock, as most trains were 1st and 2nd Class only. However, in 1872 with the exception of those exclusive ‘Club’ trains, which were for the use of 1st Class passengers only, the L & Y allowed 3rd Class passengers to travel on all its passenger trains. The standard tariff for travelling on one of these Parliamentary Trains, (which were also known as Government Trains from 1844), was 1 penny per mile. 1867 On January the 7 th , the annual supper of the employees of Accrington Station was held at the Royal Hotel on Blackburn Road. With an attendance of 130 who ate lavishly the feast provided by the landlord Mr Thomas Hargreaves. Mr Goodier, in the Chair, thanked everyone for the generous collection made in aid of the distressed orphans. The toasts he proposed were the Queen, and also the Directors of the L & Y, and he added that not since the time of Hudson, the ‘Railway King’, had railway shares plummeted so greatly in value. Entertainments included solos on violin by Mr Ellis, by Mr Berry on the concertina, and Mr Ingram on the pianoforte. Vocal renditions were from Messrs Chadwick, Critchley, Hacking, Horsfall, Garsden, Lee, Smith and Taylor, followed by a recitation by Thomas Holgate. Space under railway viaducts was often utilised by businesses, and so it was with the Lancashire & Yorkshire’s impressive viaduct which bisected the centre of ‘old’ Accrington. One of these businesses was a knitting factory owned by a James Duckworth. One of the stone arches close to Bull Bridge was home to this factory on the ground floor, whilst the second floor was used as by Miss Burscough’s Catholic School for about 100 children. On March 2 nd , a fire broke out on the ground floor and quickly spread, the majority of the children managed to escape down the stairway before it collapsed. Others climbed out of the windows and were rescued by ladder, but unfortunately eight children could not escape and were lost. The inquest on the girls, three six-year olds, one five-year old and two four-year-olds, along with two boys, one aged four the other only three, was held at the Crown Hotel on Blackburn Road, itself under the shadow of the Viaduct. A verdict of death by burning was given, but as to what started the blaze no evidence was found. In May, Accrington potato merchant Mr John Harrison was bringing a claim against the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, for a consignment of 29 sacks of potatoes, which had allegedly been damaged in transit to Accrington. They had been expected on December 11 th , 1866, but had not arrived until Christmas Eve, and because of this his customer had refused to take delivery of them so they had been left to moulder at the railway station. He claimed that instead of getting 8 shillings per sack he had only been able to sell 24 at 4 shillings each to a pig farmer as swill. Finding against the plaintiff, the Judge said it was Mr Harrison’s duty to look after his own goods. A luggage train from Bury got out of control whilst coming down Baxenden Bank on Wednesday, May the 8 th , and despite the efforts of the driver and fireman applying the brakes it gained speed. Approaching the station the crew jumped clear, whilst it careered onwards before hitting some stationary wagons smashing into one and damaging a brake van. The only person to receive any injuries was the guard on the parcels train Mr Chaffer, but the damage to the rolling stock was estimated at £200. During May an Accrington draper, Mr Christopher Royston, successfully sued the Lancashire & Yorkshire for injuries sustained whilst travelling back late one evening from Bacup. Whilst the train was being divided into two portions in Ramsbottom Station, some carriages rolled back violently hitting others stabled in an adjacent siding. He was thrown backwards in the compartment sustaining head and back injuries. An investigation showed that the guard on the train had failed to apply the brakes to the Accrington portion. Medical testimony indicated that Mr Royston would lose the use of his legs if there was not a radical improvement to his condition. The jury finding against the defendants awarded the sum of £750 in compensation. ( This was a huge sum of money for that time. ) In October, only two weeks after Mr Aylesbury had been announced as the next superintendent of the East Lancs Division, Mr Goodier had taken up this post in Accrington. He succeeded Mr Blackmoor, who had been promoted to the position of Manager of the Lancashire and Yorkshire sections of the

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