Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Booking early was essential to guarantee a seat on one of the Sunday afternoon ‘specials’ to Blackpool at 45p per adult and 23p per child. Date Depart Accrington Arrive North Return North May 7th 12:48 13:52 20:10 May 14th 12:59 14:15 19:55 May 21st 12:57 14:08 19:50 On Bank Holiday, Saturday the 27 th , due to the overwhelming demand two Mystery excursions departed to the same unknown destination, with the usual ticket prices and on-board facilities. The first departed town at 07:26 to arrive at the destination at 11:20, the duplicate departing at 07:56 and arriving at 12:28. These would return from the destination at 17:50 and 18:25 respectively. ( These were operated by two Diesel Multiple Units and the destination turned out to be Aberystwyth ). Two days later, Monday the 29 th , there was a special for York, leaving Accrington at 09:19 arriving at 11:18 and returning at 18:09. The fares were for an adult £1:20p and a child 60p. Over a period covering late May and early June, the buildings at Church & Oswaldtwistle Station had been demolished and a modern style shelter constructed to replace them. The stone built structures were part of a complex which included a large warehouse and goods yard, whilst at one time the main building contained the dwelling house of the stationmaster. The station remained open for business whilst this work was underway. June There was an overnight return on the Mystery Trip, which departed Accrington at 07:24 on Saturday the 10 th , which did not arrive at its destination until 15:32. The journey back commenced at 22:00 and did not arrive home until 06:19 on the Sunday morning. The distance covered was reflected in the price of £2:25p for an adult and £1:50p for a child. During the month there were regular special trains to Blackpool, the first of which on Sunday the 4 th , left at 12:42 and arrived North Station at 13:56 and returned at 19:45. Those on the 11 th and the 25 th , departed at 12:52 arrived at 14:00 and returned at 20:25. The fares were the same on all these trips, 45p per adult and 23p per child. July There were special offers to coastal resorts throughout the month. On Sunday the 2 nd , the half day excursion to Blackpool was 40p return and half fare for children, and this would operate again on the 9 th , with slightly different timings. On Monday the 3 rd , it was Southport at 11:00, returning at 19:05 for 50p, whilst on the following day the destination was Morecambe for the same price. Both would require a change of train in Preston. There were also off-peak day returns on service trains for 60p from Monday the 3 rd to Thursday the 6 th , on the 10:00 which arrived at North Station at 11:04, or the 13:00 which arrived at 13:59. The return train would leave at 20:40. On Friday the 7 th the outward timings were 10:53 from Accrington arriving at North Station at 11:46. Once again there were trains operated especially for departing holidaymakers. Starting from Accrington at 22:59 on Friday the 14 th , one would also pick up at Church & Oswaldtwistle at 23:03, and would go overnight to Bristol, Exeter, Dawlish, Teignmouth, and Newton Abbot, (for Plymouth, Newquay and Penzance). This was preceded by a 22:00, (Church & Oswaldtwistle 22:03), to Liverpool for the Isle-of-Man, followed by a 23:30 to London. On Saturday the 15 th , the trains were the 07:08, (Church & Oswaldtwistle 07:12), to Liverpool for the Isle of Man, then a 07:25, (Church & Oswaldtwistle 07:29), to London, a 07:40 (Church & Oswaldtwistle 07:44), to resorts along the North Wales coast, and a 09:00, (Church & Oswaldtwistle 09:03), to Morecambe. There was also a special to Scarborough, from Church & Oswaldtwistle at 10:15, Accrington at 10:20. In addition there were 5 extra Blackpool trains, 3 of which would call at Church & Oswaldtwistle. Over the holiday fortnight and marketed at the ‘stay at home’ people, on Sunday the 9 th , there was another day trip to the Isle of Man, leaving Accrington at 08:16 and returning from Douglas at 18:30, with buses shuttling passengers between Fleetwood and Blackpool North Station. Special trains would run to Blackpool every day from the 16 th to the 28 th , with the exception of the 22 nd . There were specials to Windermere on the 20 th , to Southport on the 17 th and 25 th and to Morecambe on the 18 th . For those fancying a longer day out there were excursions to Bath on the 24 th , and to Scarborough on the following day. The 6-day Holiday Runabout Ticket was also available.

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