Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

February The retirement was announced of Mr J. Grimshaw, of College Street in Accrington, after 49 years’ service on the railway, the last 23 of which were at Accrington West signal box. Since his start in 1921 as a junior porter at Holytown, he had worked as a signal lampman at Mossend in Glasgow, a goods shunter at Hamilton, then as a porter at Huncoat and Hapton. During 1933 he became the signalman at Portsmouth Box near Todmorden, followed by spells at Cherry Tree Junction and Huncoat Level Crossing. A presentation was made at a get-together of his colleagues at the Railway Hotel, by the Area Movements Inspector, Mr E. Turner. March The ‘Mini-holiday’ to London in January must have been a success, for it would be repeated again on Saturday the 20 th . This time passengers would have to travel to Preston by service train to catch the 08:55. The fares, hotels and return time from Euston were the same as before. It was announced that the next Mayor of Accrington would be Councillor George Gordon Smith, of Grant Street, who had 43 years’ service on the railways. His career had started in 1928 and in 1936 he became a signalman and had served in spells at boxes in Baxenden, Great Harwood, Lostock Hall and Helmshore. Towards the end of his working life he had worked at all three signal boxes in Accrington. April At a meeting of the General Purposes Committee, the Town Clerk submitted correspondence from the Divisional Manager of British Railways - London Midland Region, stating that as of Monday, May 3 rd , they would be introducing ‘Pay Trains’ on the Preston to Colne services. Also from that date certain smaller stations, including Huncoat, would become unmanned halts and their ticket offices would be closed. This course of action had been implemented as the Preston to Colne service was one which received a subsidy from the Government, and it was essential that the amount of financial assistance was kept to a ‘reasonable’ level in the hope that it would continue to qualify for grant-aid. It was resolved to note this correspondence, but to keep the situation under constant review. Such had been the demand for the second running of the ‘Mini-holiday’ on March 20 th , it had been fully booked, so it was decided to operate it yet again on Saturday the 3 rd , departing Preston at 08:50, but this was the only difference. ( Note how for the first time fares were quoted in decimal currency .) The first Mystery Trip of the year ran on Saturday the 10 th , departing at 07:52, arriving at 12:45 and returning at 17:40. The fares were for an adult £1:75p and for a child under 14 £1. ( It can now be revealed that the destination was Barry Island. ) The Mystery Trip on the 10 th , had been fully booked, and many had been left disappointed, so one week later another, this time ‘long distance’ trip was arranged, departing Accrington at 07:00 and arriving at the mystery destination at 12:04. The fares were still £1:75p for an adult and £1 for a child, despite the promise of greater mileage. The return train would depart at 18:15. ( Brighton was where the trippers enjoyed their day.) Over Easter there were specials to Morecambe and Blackpool on Good Friday, to Blackpool on Easter Saturday. There was a special overnight train to Paignton on Friday the 23 rd , departing Accrington at 23:45 and arriving at Torquay at 08:00, Paignton at 08:15. There was the option of a coach tour of the Paignton area at 14:00 for 13p extra on top of the £2 fare for an adult and £1 for a child. The overnight return would depart Paignton at 23:00 and there was the opportunity to secure a sleeping berth on the outward and return journeys at a supplement of £1 in each direction. At the end of the month BR held an ‘East Lancs Rail Fair’ in Blackburn, in order to promote and give advice on rail travel. It would run from Saturday the 24 th to May 1 st , at the railway station and at the Windsor Hall between Tuesday the 27 th and Sunday May 2 nd . May For the ‘usual’ fares the devotees of the Mystery excursions could enjoy yet another on May Day, Saturday the 1 st . This one departed Accrington at 07:42, arrived at 12:47 and returned, ( from Windsor & Eton ), at 17:28. On Saturday the 22 nd , the East Lancs Railway Preservation Society ran a special to Aberystwyth calling at Welshpool en route. Tickets were for an adult £2:50p and for a child £1:50p, and there was the option of a ride on the Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railway to Devil’s Bridge. Free buses were again provided to and from Accrington.

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