Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

of this could be attributed to the strike by Ribble employees that had begun at midnight on Friday, the 19 th . August On Sunday, the 4 th , along with trips to Barrow, Coventry and Lakeside, there were organised rambles from Garstang & Catterall at 4/-, Bay Horse for 4/6d and Lancaster at 5/3, on the trip to Caton for 5/9d. On the 11 th , Millom was revisited and there was a special to Morecambe departing at 10:14 and returning from Euston Road at 19:40 for 5/9d. On Sunday, the 18 th , Morecambe was again the ultimate destination after leaving at 07:50 and going via Lakeside, with a steamer crossing to Bowness, and then on to Morecambe for a 3½ hour sojourn. Tickets were limited at 12/3d. Leicester or Chesterfield were the alternatives on this same day. There was a choice of trains for those visiting the Southport Flower Show which was on from the 28 th to the 30 th , at 4/3d return. A rambler’s special ran on Sunday the 25 th , to stations from Skipton to Ingleton at 6/6d, Kirkby Lonsdale 7/-, Sedburgh 8/-, Low Gill 9/-, Tebay 9/9d, Shap 11/- and Penrith 12/6d. On Saturday, the 31 st , Stanley were away at Bradford Park Avenue and the train left at 13:04 with the return from Bradford Exchange at 17:40 with the fare set at 5/6d. ( Bradford 1 - Stanley 1 .) September On Sunday, the 1 st , Doncaster was revisited, but there was a greater choice a week later when there was a diesel railcar run to Scarborough for 14/3, leaving at 09:30 and returning at 20:10, and trains to Workington and also York. Stanley were at Southport the following Saturday, the fare 4/3d. ( Fans witnessed a 3 - 3 draw. ) The following day Coventry was one choice and a rambler to Leyburn another, with trains to Barrow and a diesel excursion to Rhyl at 11/6d and Llandudno at 13/6d. With seating limited the return from Llandudno was at 18:50 and Rhyl at 19:20. On the 22 nd the only choice was Hull, and on the 28 th a special ran to Barrow for Stanley’s away game, leaving at 11:32 and returning at 18:30, the fare set at 10/9d. ( Stanley lost 3 - 1 .)The final excursions of the month were a diesel railcar excursion to Rhyl or trains to Millom and Chesterfield. The employees of Messrs. C&A Walmersley’s Three Brooks Mill in Oswaldtwistle were treated to a day in Blackpool on Sunday September the 8 th . The motive power was provided by one of Accrington Sheds ‘Crab’ 4-6-0s. On Saturday, the 14 th , the fire brigade was called out to Accrington Locomotive Sheds, where the roof was ablaze. They had to climb onto the roof and remove about a 100 square feet of slates in order to douse the burning joists. British Railways gave notice that commencing on Monday, September 16 th , 1st & 2nd Class seats could be reserved on the 08:00 Colne to London through train, departing Accrington at 08:33 for a 1 shilling booking fee, which would increase to 2/- from September, the 29 th . Seats could be reserved by post if a SAE was included, or by visiting the booking office and stating the day of travel. Evening excursions to Blackpool were operated throughout autumn, departing Accrington at 16:34 and Church & Oswaldtwistle at 16:37 for 4/- and 3/6d respectively, with the return train from Blackpool Central departing at 23:15. October “Over the September holidays Accrington Station was fairly busy despite the poor weather and the flu epidemic that was sweeping across the area”, said Chief Booking Clerk Mr Nuttall, with the supporters special to Barrow full to capacity. The excursions began on Sunday, the 6 th , to Doncaster, Grassington and Workington all with light refreshments available, and the regular Illuminations trips to Blackpool and Morecambe would operate throughout the month. There was a diesel railcar excursion to Morecambe for their Illuminations on Sunday, the 13 th , departing Accrington at 10:50 at 5/9d, Church at 10:59 at 5/6d with admission to Happy Mount Park at 1/- extra per adult and 6d per child, and returning from Euston Road at 21:35. Also on Sunday, the 13 th , Coventry was revisited and a week later Leicester and Hull. On Saturday, the 19 th , Stanley were at Stockport County by leaving town at 11:50 and returning at 17:00 supporters could go for 4/3d return. ( A 0 - 0 draw .) November Repeat trips to Barrow or Millom ran on the Sunday, the 3 rd , along with a diesel railcar excursion to St Annes and Blackpool, departing Accrington at 10:34, for 4/6d return. On Sunday, the 10 th , it was Coventry again, whereas a week later the choices were Workington or a diesel railcar trip to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Chesterfield and another railcar trip, this time to Llandudno, ended the month on the Sunday, the 24 th .

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