Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Eagle Street, whilst lending their support to any proposals that the Council might place before the British Transport Commission. It was resolved to make a joint approach with Howard & Bullough to the BTC asking them to consider the widening of this bridge on the understanding that the Corporation would take all responsibility for any road-works that would be involved. An advert appeared in the Observer for BR’s special ‘Wagonload’ vehicles for their door-to-door freight service. ( Similar adverts would appear at regular intervals over the ensuing months .) On the 7 th , the trip was to Garstang at 4/3d, Bay Horse 4/9d, Lancaster 5/9d and Morecambe 6/3, and a week later to Barrow. As an alternative another diesel railcar excursion would leave Accrington at 09:38 calling at Church at 09:42 to go to Lakeside. Passengers would then have a return sail to Bowness before visiting Morecambe where there would be a 3½ hour stay, before returning from Promenade Station at 20:15. The fares were 13/- and 12/6d respectively. Another multi-destination tour would operate on Sunday, the 21 st , to Matlock, Matlock Bath and Buxton, allowing 2½ hours in either Matlock or Matlock Bath, and 2½ hours in Buxton. This train would depart town at 09:50, Church 09:55 returning from Buxton at 19:20, fare 12/-. The alternative to this was a repeat of the North Wales resorts excursion to Llandudno. On the 28 th , the choices were Millom or Chesterfield. On every Monday to August 31 st , (August 3 rd excepted), a train would leave at 11:01 changing at Todd Lane to Liverpool, for sailings to Llandudno at 16/6d. Every Sunday from June 28 th to August 23 rd , there was a train to Fleetwood for Douglas IOM at 26/9d, with a cabin on the boat at 4/- extra. July Due to a prolonged strike in the printing industry, BR was unable to provide handbills to accompany any of their excursions and special trains, but notices at the station showed that no less than 33 specials would be running during the first week of the holidays. ( No details were published, but it is safe to assume that the overnight trains on Friday to the more distant destinations would be running, whilst those to the regular Saturday destinations would also operate. ) Despite the introduction of Diesel Multiple Units on the services from Manchester to Accrington, one passenger working was still using steam. This was a Sunday ‘short’ working from Bury Bolton Street at 09:16 and the 10:22 return from Accrington. On the 29 th of July, the engine was 40015 from Newton Heath Sheds with four carriages in tow. August On Sunday, the 9 th , the special was to Oxenholme at 8/3d, Kendal 9/3d, Windermere 10/3d and a choice of Lakeside 12/3d or Ambleside 11/9d by steamer from Bowness, including an accompanied walk from Windermere. On the 16 th , Millom and Hull were revisited, and on the 23 rd the diesel railcar trip to Scarborough, fare 15/-, departing at 10:02 returning at 18:15. There was a football special on Saturday the 22 nd , for Stanley fans to see the game at Tranmere Rovers, leaving at 11:01 for 6/9d. ( Stanley were trounced 5 - 1. ) On Sunday, the 30 th , trips were operated to Chesterfield, Grassington and York, with rambles from the last two. There was a trip to Morecambe for the Illuminations, and a circular tour by railcar to Morecambe for a 3½ hour stay and on to Blackpool for a 4½ hour stay, before returning from Central at 20:40 for a fare of 8/3d. September More cuts to timetabled train services were announced to come into force within a few days, which prompted correspondence from the Accrington Trades & Labour Party to the British Transport Commission in protest. The trains to be axed on weekdays had been identified as follows -

The 05:20 Preston to Todmorden, (Saturdays only). The 06:00 Accrington to Colne, (Saturdays excepted).

The 07:54 Accrington to Bury, Bolton Street. The 12:23 Preston to Accrington, (winter only). The 13:35 Preston to Todmorden would now terminate at Accrington, (winter only). The 15:19 Preston to Accrington, (winter only). The 16:17 Todmorden to Blackburn. The 16:22 Accrington to Colne, (Saturdays only).

The 17:21 Accrington to Manchester Victoria, (Saturdays only). The 18:05 Accrington to Bury, Bolton Street, (Saturdays only). The 18:43 Rose Grove to Blackburn. The 19:30 Preston to Accrington, (winter only).

On Sundays the trains to be cut were as follows -

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