Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

March 17 th , 1968, when the world’s most famous locomotive 60103 Flying Scotsman came through, to be greeted by large numbers of enthusiasts. Two of the final sheds to operate steam engines were on either ends of the East Lancs Line, so in the final months of working Accrington was at the heart of these workings. Specials apart, these were confined exclusively to freight workings with the exception of parcels trains. During the mid to late 1960s I used to spend part of my lunch time sunning myself on the roof of the works where I was employed, which although at something of a distance gave me a clear view of the viaduct which bisected Accrington town centre. I well remember seeing daily processions of tired and grimy steam locos trundling long rakes of wagons across the structure. Some of these are detailed here - On December 31 st , 1967 Britannia Pacific 70023 ‘Venus’ was working a coal train to Whitebirk Power Station. It was probably the last working of this locomotive as she was almost immediately condemned. Over the last few months, an Ivatt ‘Mogul’ #43106 was the regular motive power for the Preston to Colne parcels train and return and this was a Lostock Hall engine. It was derailed in Colne in April, and was stored until being officially withdrawn in August. It suffered only minor damage but was considered uneconomical to repair. ( Fortunately it along with 48773 would be preserved on the Severn Valley Railway .) The finest, and newest, heavy freight locomotives were the Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 engines. These were also capable of operating heavy passenger trains at speeds comparable to many passenger locomotives. By the time they were allocated to the remaining sheds in the North West, they were in a state of neglect, even though some were not much more than a decade old. They were to appear spasmodically trundling long trains of wagons over the East Lancs Line, despite being grimy, emitting black smoke and leaking steam. The ones which lasted into August 1968 were, in numerical order, 92055, 92069, 92077, 92088, 92091, 92094, 92160, 92163 and 92167, most of which were displaced from sheds around Merseyside. During 1968 there were continued workings and these included - On March 9 th , a ‘Black 5’ (sometimes referred to as Mickeys), 44942 worked the Manchester to Colne parcels train, whilst 45350 worked the empty vans from Colne to Red Bank (Manchester). On March 17 th , the first of William Deacon’s Bank Club special trains, was worked by double headed Black 5s 44899 with 45290 through Accrington to Skipton, it had been worked to Stockport from Birmingham New Street by the Flying Scotsman piloting 45290. Such was the demand for seats that a second special had been required and this came through with Britannia 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ and 45110 as motive power. On March 28 th , the Burnley to Burn Naze (Fleetwood) coal train was worked by Big 8 #48384, then a Rose Grove locomotive. On April 20 th , Past Times Rail’s special the ‘Cotton Mill Express’ a circular from Stockport to Stockport, came through Accrington heading west behind a pair if Standard Class 5s, Bolton Shed’s 73069 and 73134 from Patricroft Shed, the latter with Caprotti gear. One week later, again due to demand two more trains worked this route, this time with Black 5s 44781 and 45046 from Edgeley and 73050 of Patricroft Shed paired with 73069. The following day, Sunday the 28 th , #70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ was through Accrington, heading east this time on the GC Enterprises special. On May 18 th , the pairing of engines on another SLS special was ‘Black 5’ 44949 of Dallam Sheds in Warrington piloting 73069 on the East Lancs Line. On June 6 th , Oliver Cromwell was back again this time working west through Accrington with the ‘Dalesman 2’ rail tour arranged by the Railway Correspondence & Travel Society’s en route from Stansfield Hall to Carnforth. The Manchester Railway Travel Society operated a ‘Farewell To Steam’ special on July 28 th , and 45073 was paired with 45156 which passed through town on its journey from Skipton to Bolton. Three days earlier 45073 had also made an appearance heading a ‘fast’ van train through Accrington. On three consecutive days beginning on July 27 th , ‘Big 8’ 48665 was in charge of the Whitebirk Power Station empty wagons, whilst 48340 was the locomotive on the 30 th . On this day 48400 was the engine on the Burnley Central to Wyre Dock coal train, along with 48666 which ran another coal train this time from Rose Grove sidings, whilst 48167 was on the Whitebirk empties. On Wednesday the 31 st , 48665 was on the Rose Grove to Wyre Dock coal train, and 45110 was working a train of empty wagons

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