Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

at 10:48, going on to Grange-over-Sands at 10:55 where there would be time before the return at 14:55 picking up at Arnside at 15:01. The train would then proceed to Morecambe arriving at 15:26 and return from Euston Road at 19:00, back in Rishton at 20:07 and Accrington at 20:14. The residents of Great Harwood were up in arms about the state of the railway cutting between John Street and Station Road in the town, which was an area proving to be a target for fly tipping and dumping of rubbish during the night. Councillor George Slynn was putting pressure on the Development Services Committee, to reverse their decision not to continue landscaping this redundant railway line until 1980/81, after only part of it was cleaned up and planted with trees. There were half day trips to Blackpool on Sundays, the 22 nd and 29 th , departing at 12:53 arriving at 13:57, returning from North at 20:30 and back for 21:24. The fares were £1:20p for an adult and half price for children. May Between Friday the 11 th and Sunday the 13 th , there was another trip to Oban for Mull and Iona. The fares were £9:20p and £6:10p for a child, which included rail fares and sailings on Caledonian McBrayne’s vessel to Craigmure, then coaches to Fionnphort with another crossing to Iona. The return would be overnight on Saturday and back in the early hours of Sunday. Departing Accrington at 08:14, Rishton 08:23, there was a ‘Rambler’ to Lincoln on Saturday the 19 th . It called at New Mills at 10:13 (19:23), Edale 10:33 (19:05), Hope 10:40 (18:56), Hathersage 10:50 (18:47), Grindleford 10:55 (18:42) arriving Lincoln Central at 12:34, returning at 17:00. Those leaving at stations to Grindleford would pay £1:85p and £1:10p, whilst for those traveling on to Lincoln the fares were £3:40p and £1:95p. Conditional rambles had been arranged. There was also an excursion to York on this same day, departing Rishton at 09:19, Accrington 09:26, arriving in York at 11:10, returning at 18:05 and back for 19:50 and 19:58. The fares were £2:75p and £1:75p for a child. Every Saturday from May 19 th , through to October 27 th , including Monday, May 28 th , there would be evening trips to Blackpool requiring a change in Preston off the 16:15 from Accrington. This would result in an arrival at North Station at 17:47. Return was at 21:20 back in Accrington at 22:49, and the fares were £1:20p and 60p. Spring Bank Holiday specials included Southport on Sunday the 27 th , departing Accrington at 10:58, Rishton 11:03, arriving at 12:20 and returning 18:56 to be back for 20:08 and 20:15. The fares from Rishton were £1:89p and 95p and Accrington £1:96p and 98p. There was also a special to Blackpool the following day and times were 09:44, 09:50, 10:45 out and return at 21:10, 22:02 and 22:10. The fares were the same as for the Southport trip. Monday also provided the opportunity to visit Rothesay via Wemyss Bay and a crossing on a Caledonian McBrayne’s vessel. The ticket prices were £6:00 per adult and £4:40p for an accompanied child. June With the focus on other holiday towns this was a relatively quiet month for excursions. However, on Saturday the 10 th , there was an excursion to Windermere departing town at 10:00, arriving at 12:25, returning 17:55 and back for 19:57 for a fare of £1:85p and £1:10p for a child. On Mondays to Saturdays between June 18 th and September 22 nd , there were bargain day returns to Lancaster, Morecambe and Grange-over-Sands from Accrington at £1:95p, Church & Oswaldtwistle and Rishton at £1:89p. The designated train departed at 10:15, 10:18 and 10:22 respectively arriving in Preston at 10:50, leaving at 11:02, arriving in Lancaster at 11:32 where passengers for Morecambe would change arriving in the resort at 12:35. The train would then continue arriving in Grange at 11:59. Return was by any train on the same day. July Things began to busy-up as the holidays moved over to North East Lancashire towns of Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn. On Tuesday the 10 th , a special train went to York via Harrogate for £2:70p and £1:70p, timings were leaving Rishton at 09:22, Accrington 09:30, arriving Harrogate 11:39 and York 12:20. Returns were from York 18:54, Harrogate 19:34 and back at 21:34 and 21:53 respectively. Also on the 10 th , there was a special to Southport departing Accrington at 10:25, Rishton 10:32, arriving at 11:40, returning at 18:50 and back for 20:07 and 20:13. The fares were £1:95p and £1:00 from Accrington and £1:89p and 95p from Rishton. It was the same ticket price from Accrington two days later when the special was for Morecambe, departing at 10:25, arriving at 11:30, returning at 19:35 and back for 20:37. Every Monday to Friday from the 9 th to the 20 th , departing at 09:45 there was a special to Blackpool, arriving at 10:45, returning at 18:55 and back for 19:51, with fares at £1:95p and 98p. On Sunday the 15 th , Blackpool was the destination again for a day excursion, with a departure time of 10:32,

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