Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

A railcar excursion ran on Sunday, the 7 th , visiting Morecambe for 3½ hours, then moving on to Blackpool for a 4½ hour stay. The fare was 8/3d and it left Accrington at 10:12 returning from Central at 20:25. Seating was limited and early booking was advised. On Saturday the 20 th , the 08:33 Accrington to London Euston, (ex-Colne 08:00) was behind Newton Heath Jubilee #45652 ‘ Hawke ’ as far as Stockport. Millom was revisited on the 24 th , and on the Bank Holiday Sunday the destinations were Ambleside, Chesterfield, or a railcar special to Scarborough. The start of the football season saw Burnley away to Newcastle United, and a special departed Accrington at 08:20, returning from Central at 17:14 for a fare of 26/-. September Stanley were away to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, the 3 rd , the fare was 7/6d return and supporters could leave on either the 11:45am or the 13:02 and return from Crewe at 17:00 or 17:10, changing at Preston both ways. ( Crewe 0 - Stanley 1.) There were regular trips to Morecambe, including Happy Mount Park and to Blackpool during the Illumination season. On the 4 th , a railcar went to Bridlington and Filey again and a new excursion was introduced. This departed at 08:30 and called at Shrewsbury for 12/9d and Ludlow 16/3d. The Amateur Photography Competition would be based around this trip and a cafeteria car was included in this train. There was plenty of choice on the Sunday the 11 th , with excursions to Doncaster, Workington and Llandudno via the North Wales resorts. A week later Barmouth was one choice leaving Accrington at 08:35, Church 08:40 and returning from the resort at 18:30, with a fare of 21/3d. The other alternatives were a trip to Barrow calling at all stations from Lancaster and a diesel day trip to Scarborough. This departed Accrington at 10:48 and returned from the Yorkshire resort at 19:00. The fare was 18/6d and accommodation was limited so early booking was recommended. In BR’s annual competition Helmshore’s Stationmaster, Mr K. Flanagan, was awarded one of the two 1st Class prizes in the Best Kept Station Category. His prize was £6, and he was awarded an additional £4 in the Cleanliness & Tidiness Category, for coming third out of thirty-nine entrants On Saturday, the 24 th , Burnley were away at Sheffield Wednesday, and the special departed Accrington at 11:30 to Wadsley Bridge from where it would return at 17:30 for a fare of 11/-. The following day there were three railcar excursions, to Bridlington and Filey or to Newcastle, and a ramblers’ return to Garsdale with organised walks from Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Dent. October On the 3 rd , a van which had been stabled in a siding for some time was ransacked by thieves. A railway official went to the van and discovered parcels strewn around the floor. Station staff along with the Railway Police was investigating but would make no comment, although it was thought that all the contents were destined for Rawtenstall for distribution in the Rossendale Valley. Excursions continued to the Blackpool Illuminations departing Accrington at 10:45, Church & Oswaldtwistle at 10:50 and returning from Central at 21:05 for 4/9d return. There was one in a railcar to Morecambe on Sunday, the 9 th , when Barrow was the counter attraction. At 09:40 on Sunday, the 23 rd , a circular ran to Morecambe via Skipton, calling at Gargrave for 5/-, Giggleswick 6/-, Clapham 6/-, Bentham 7/-, Wennington 7/2d, Caton 8/-, Lancaster 8/3d and Morecambe 8/6d. There were walks arranged from Bentham and Wennington. The month’s trips ended on Sunday, 30 th , with a repeat to Workington. The funeral took place of Richard Eastham, of Parsonage Street, Church, who had been the Ticket Collector at Accrington Station for 43 years. He had passed away only four weeks after retiring at the age of 65. November On Saturday, the 5 th , Haslingden Station closed to all traffic. ( This was probably the first sign that this direct route between Accrington and Manchester was under threat. ) On Sunday, the 13 th , there was another visit to Ilkley and a diesel excursion to Newcastle-upon Tyne, and this time the fare had risen to 23/-. Rowdyism caused the 22:25 Manchester to Colne train to be delayed at Huncoat Station for thirty minutes, whilst police were called. They made arrests of two youths from Burnley who were charged with causing damage to two luggage racks, light fittings, a mirror and smashing a window in the compartment in which they were travelling, to the total of £3 – 15s – 9d. They were each fined £5 plus £5 for jumping out of the carriage on the side of the running lines.

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