Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

At another meeting of the Development Services Committee and further to two previous minutes, the Town Clerk reported that notification had been received from the Divisional Manager of BR, that the reduction in services on the East Lancs Line, which had been scheduled to come into operation on January 5 th , had since been implemented as of March 1 st . He further reported that following a meeting of this Committee in January, he had written to the North East Lancs Development Association, requesting that they should be the coordinators of all representations to the Board of BR with regard to any objections on any curtailment of services. In this connection, the Town Clerk then presented copies of a letter, in which the Hon. Sec. of the Association had corresponded with the Minister of Transport, asking that he meet with the Association and possibly representatives from LCC in order that this situation might be fully discussed. There was another Rambler’s Excursion to Barrow-in-Furness on Sunday the 28 th , calling at all stations from Grange-over-Sands. There were walks arranged from several stations and the fares were £1:30p and 75p respectively. April On offer were ‘Mini-Breaks’ in London every day except Saturdays from April 17 th until the 30 th , with 1st Class tickets at £17:80p/£12 and 2nd Class at £12:75p and £8:25p. On Saturday the 17 th , there was another Mystery Trip at £3:20p and £1:90p for a child, and on the following day a Ramblers’ Excursion to Buxton. This train departed Accrington at 09:37 and called at Disley, Whalley Bridge, and Chapel-en-le-Frith before arriving in Buxton at 12:25. There were organised walks at several stops and the train returned from Buxton at 18:25 and was back at 20:50. On Monday the destination of a special was York, with fares at £2/£1:25p. BR was keen to point out that Kellogg’s Vouchers were not valid for excursion trains, but was pleased to announce that there was now a talking timetable service on the telephone. Three local MPs including Accrington’s Member, met with the General Manager of British Railways - London Midland Region and the Divisional Director, Mr Downes, in talks about saving the East Lancashire Line. Following this, Arthur Davidson, Doug Hoyle (Colne & Nelson) and Dan Jones (Burnley), went on to meet with the Chairman of BR. In a joint statement they said - “ All we want is our fair share of any subsidies to invest in the East Lancs Line, in order to preserve services in the light of the opening of the M65 Motorway. A top class railway is what is required in order to promote investments being put into developing local industry. ” May A ‘Go As A Group’ initiative was introduced by BR, offering big discounts for parties of 10 or more to any destination. This included free seat reservations and visits, tours and meals could all be arranged to suit a group. Applications for this service had to be made direct to the Divisional Manager at Marsh Lane in Preston. There was a half-day special to Blackpool on Sunday the 2 nd . London ‘Savers’ were again on offer on Saturdays from May 3 rd to June 12 th , every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday on specified trains outward and the 18:06 back from Euston. Fares were 2nd Class £6, and on Saturdays only £7 1st Class. From the 8 th , through to October 30 th , the ‘Mini-Weekends’ to London would be available at £13:75p and £6:88p for children. Departing town at 07:13 on Saturday, May 15 th , there was a ‘Rail Ramblers’ Excursion calling at Llandudno Junction at 09:46, Tal-y-Cafn (10:08), Llanwrst (10:25), Betws-y-Coed (10:32), Pont-y-Pant (10:44), Dolwyddelen (10:49), Roman Bridge (10:54) and Blaenau Ffestiniog (11:06). Walks were arranged from several of the stops, and the train returned at 17:50 and was back for 21:56. The fares were £1:90p and 90p respectively. Hyndburn’s Department of Planning & Estates Management, had given BR’s Property Board permission for a change of use of the former coal sidings adjacent to Holland Street and Leyland Street, to a caravan centre and storage park. There was a rail/coach special to Gloucester, for Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust and Berkeley Castle, on Saturday the 22 nd . The fares were £1:75p and £1:30p which included the coach and all admission charges. There was a half-day trip to Blackpool on Sunday the 23 rd , and over the Spring Bank weekend the resort would be revisited on Saturday the 29 th , Sunday the 30 th and Monday the 31 st , the trips all charging different fares. Saturdays £1:79p/90p, Mondays £1:39p/70p, whilst the half-day trip was 90p/45p. On Sunday there was also an excursion to Morecambe departing Accrington at 11:00, arriving at

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