Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Silverdale (7/6d), Arnside (8/3d), Grange-over-Sands (8/6d), Ulverston (10/-), Dalton-in Furness (10/6d0, Barrow (11/6d), Askham and/or Kirkby-in-Furness (11/9d) and Foxfield (12/3d) There were repeat trips to Grassington on the 15 th , along with Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with this time the opportunity to visit Middlesbrough, Redcar or Saltburn, by changing at Darlington. It was announced that every Saturday through to April 30 th , with the exception of April 16 th , there would be tickets available to Blackpool and Southport for 4/6d return, coming back from Blackpool Central at 18:30 and St. Annes at 18:40 and this was the identical fare on the diesel railcar excursion which ran on the 29 th , departing at 10:43, Church 10:47 to either St. Annes or Blackpool. This would return from Central at 18:30, St. Annes at 18:40, accommodation was strictly limited so advanced booking was advised. The only other alternative on the 29 th was a special to Sheffield at 11:10 with a fare of 9/9d. In a letter replying to the one sent by Accrington Trades & Labour Council, Mr H. Henderson, the Chief Parliamentary Secretary to the British Transport Commission said - “These cuts were made in conformity with the Commission’s general policy of reducing the number of unprofitable services, which have been operating all across the country. With regard to the suggestion that road and rail tickets should be inter-available, there are few instances where the fares on the two modes of transport are compatible, and these would not be practical in the Manchester, East Lancashire or Yorkshire areas”. Unsurprisingly, the Trades & Labour Council were unimpressed, stating that the Commission should put serving the public before profitability, and the Government’s decision to hand back road transport services to the private sector had made inter-availability of tickets even more difficult. December Workington was the excursions destination on Sunday, the 6 th . Departing Accrington at 10:25 on Sunday the 13 th , there was a diesel excursion to Harrogate for 8/3d, Ripon 9/6d, Northallerton 12/-, Stockton 13/9d, West Hartlepool 15/3d, Sunderland 17/6d , Pelaw and Newcastle Central both at 18/-. Whilst travelling on this excursion it was possible to visit Middlesbrough at 14/3d, or Redcar 15/6d and Saltburn 16/-, but a change would have to be made in Stockton-upon-Tees on the outward journey, and Eaglescliffe on the return leg. As with other of these popular days out accommodation was limited and early booking was advised. The year came to an end on the 27 th , with specials to Millom or Chesterfield. Light refreshments were available on this train which departed Accrington at 11:06, calling at Sowerby Bridge for 3/9d, Brighouse 4/6d, Mirfield 5/3d, Thornhill 5/9d, Swinton 8/6d, Rotherham 9/3d Sheffield Midland 9/9d and Chesterfield 10/3d. In 1959 the following 2 locomotives were allocated - Origin Built New Type Class. Numbe r In Out Withdrawn Midland Fowler Derby Jan. 1919 0 – 6 – 0 tender 4F 43880 Aug. 1959 Oct. 1959 May 1964 Midland Fowler Arms/Whit Feb. 1922 0 – 6 – 0 tender 4F 43976 Aug. 1959 Oct. 1959 Apr. 1964 On an unspecified date during this year on my way home from the Technical School on Union Road in Oswaldtwistle, I happened to call into the sheds on Charter Street to discover Patriot Class 4-6-0 #45501 named St Dunstans on one of the open roads down the side of the main shed minus its centre driving wheels. These had obviously been removed on the wheel drop housed in the shed. She was at this time allocated to 5A Crewe North sheds and was two years away from being withdrawn. The name St Dunstans was that of a special hospital in Sussex for the rehabilitation of service personnel blinded in conflict. One of the great delights of being at the Technical School was it was just a short hop down the Coach Road in Church to observe the morning 08:33 Colne to London express passing through at speed, before being lined up in the yard to go into class. Very often this was double-headed by a 4-6-2 tank engine and a Jubilee Class 4-6-0. One of the very regular named locomotives rostered to this turn was #45671 Prince Rupert, which was at the time allocated to 9A Longsight sheds. These two engines would take the train via Blackburn, Darwen, Bolton and Manchester Victoria to Stockport, where they would be replaced. When travelling on this train to the school’s Whitsuntide Camp at St. Mary’s Bay in Kent in 1958, the double-headed locomotives were replaced by one of the new D200 English Electric diesels

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