Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Shakespeare Theatre for a performance of Twelfth Night, with all seats booked. On Sunday there would be a tour by coach around Stratford-upon-Avon, before returning to New Street for the 17:05 departure for Preston. Again there were no single rooms and the fares were, for the de luxe package £36:00 and the standard package £29:00. Early booking was essential. December On Saturday the 8 th , there was a ‘Shopping Special’ to Leeds, departing at 09:39 from Rishton, 09:44 from Accrington, arriving in Leeds City at 11:05. The return was at 17:50 back for 18:38 and 18:44, with fares of £2:25p and £1:25p for a child. There was another ‘Shopping Special’ on Saturday the 15 th , on this occasion to Birmingham. Included in the adult fare of £4:25p, (£2:25p for a child), was a £1 voucher which could be exchanged for goods at the store of F. W. Woolworth in the city. 1980 January On Saturday the 5 th , there was a special to Liverpool for £2:20p/£1:20p, departing at 08:34, arriving in Lime Street at 09:52, returning at 16:40 and back at 18:06. There was a special to London on the 26 th , with fares of £9:00 for an adult and £5:50p for a child. Timings were departing Accrington at 08:18, Rishton 08:24, arriving Euston at 12:10, with a return at 17:50 and back for 21:36 and 21:42 respectively. Every weekday from the 14 th to May 10 th , there were special ‘midday savers’ from all stations on the East Lancs Line by specified services on Monday to Friday and any train on Saturday, returning on the same day. February ‘Capital Fare’ tickets to London were strictly rationed on a service which would operate to the end of the month, so it was advisable to book early. There were no half fares and travel was by nominated services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The fares were 1st Class £12:00 and 2nd Class £11:00. One night ‘Mini-Breaks’ in the capital were on offer again, with 1st Class travel and a de luxe hotel at £30:50p and the 2nd Class option at £20:00. This offer would be available up to March 27 th . On Saturday the 9 th , what was described as a ‘Mystery Bonus Shopper’ ran with fares at £5:10p and £3:00 for a child, including a £1 shopping voucher to be spent in Woolworth’s. The timings were departing at 08:19, Rishton at 08:26, arriving at 11:38, returning at 16:30 and back for 19:35 and 19:40 respectively. A service of light refreshments was provided on this train. A ‘semi-fast’ train would run non-stop from Blackburn to Manchester on Saturdays, February the 9 th , 16 th and 23 rd and again on March 1 st , 8 th , 15 th , 23 rd and 30 th . It would depart Accrington at 09:44, arrive at Victoria at 10:36 and return at 17:15 to be back at 18:11. The return fares were £1:80p and 90p for a child. March The first ‘Rambler’ of the year ran on Saturday the 15 th , to Chesterfield and stations to Matlock, with walks arranged from intermediate stations. The fares were £2:70p and £1:35p for a child. On Saturday the 29 th , the excursion was for London with the added attraction of the Ideal Homes Exhibition. The fares of £9:00 and £5:50p included underground tickets and discounted entry, and timings were Accrington 08:19, Rishton 08:26, Euston 12:07, returning at 18:33 and back at 22:19 and 22:25. Booking were open for the Shetland Islands Cruise, which would operate from Friday, May 2 nd , to Monday the 5 th . The fares of £67:00 and £50:00 for a child included travel by scheduled trains to Aberdeen for a sailing on the MV St Clair to Lerwick, where there would be an optional coach tour on Sunday. All meals were on board the boat, including dinner on Friday and breakfast on Monday, for an arrival back in Aberdeen at 08:00. Accommodation was a bunk in a two berth cabin. April Easter trips included to Blackpool on Good Friday the 4 th , departing town at 11:00, Rishton 11:06, arriving at 12:05, returning at 18:30 and back for 19:29 and 19:35, with a ticket price of £2:32p for an adult, half price for a child. The same fares applied on Saturday the 5 th on the special to Southport. Timings on this trip were departing Accrington 10:49, arriving at 12:10 and returning at 19:00 back for 20:28. Another ‘Mystery’ was off again on Saturday the 5 th with fares set at £6:60p and £3:30p for children. From Sunday the 6 th and every Sunday right through to September the 21 st , there would be runs to Blackpool North departing at 12:52, arriving at 13:57, returning at 20:30 and back for 21:24, for £1:40p and 70p for a child. On Monday the 7 th , there was a quadruple choice, with a special for York at £2:70p and £1:60p, going on to Scarborough at £4:00 and £2:40. Timings were leaving Rishton at 08:18, Accrington 08:24, arriving in York at 10:50 (18:00) and Scarborough at 11:42, returning at 17:07 and back for 20:24 and

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