Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

humdrum lives of the local population. It was suspected that this was due to shortages of available rolling stock, and the necessity to find paths on which these trips could run .) January At a meeting of the Highways & Transportation Committee, the Town Clerk reported on being the recipient of correspondence from the Town Clerk and Chief Executive of Pendle Borough Council, which sought the views of Hyndburn with regard to the suggestion raised by some of its Members, that British Railways should consider operating trains hauled by steam locomotives on the Preston to Colne line. It was resolved to inform Pendle Council that Hyndburn would support this proposal. The Town Clerk reported that he was also in receipt of a letter from the Chief Executive/Clerk to Lancashire County Council, which drew attention to the fact that LCC had commissioned Liverpool Polytechnic to undertake an independent study into the Preston to Colne line, and arrangements had been made to hold a meeting at the Library in Accrington on January 29 th . The purpose of this meeting was to discuss an interim report prepared by the Polytechnic with the District and Parish Councils and any member of the Council who might have an interest in their research would be invited to attend. BR had confirmed that in May, 1986, the first generation of DMUs would be replaced by the new 142 trains. Although not exactly the same as the DMU which was trialled on the local service two before ago they were of the same basic design. The Development Services Committee met when the DES&T reported, that improved terms for a grant for the reclamation of the British Railways land on Charter Street had now been negotiated with the Department for the Environment to a revised total of £46,440, with regard to access road surfacing, planting, landscaping and establishment charges. In accordance with Standing Orders the lowest quotation received was from Blakedown Landscaping Ltd, of Rochdale, in the sum of £49,578:15p and this had been accepted. February Saturday the 16 th , saw the first special of the year off to Peterborough, with ten coaches behind 47:421 from Gateshead Sheds. This excursion was notable as the engine on the return was 47:612 named ‘Titan’ from Old Oak Common Sheds. This excursion had originated at Blackpool North. Hopes were being raised in that BR was at last to do something to resolve the problem of the low platforms at Rishton Station. The Area Manager, John Norman, said an estimate of the cost had been submitted to LCC, and it would go onto a list of possible projects although no funds had as yet been allocated for this work. He did point out that due to a constant stream of complaints steps had been provided, but these had been regularly vandalised and were no longer fit for use. However, if a disabled person informed them prior to making a journey they would go out of their way to make sure there was someone available to give assistance. Following decades of pollution, Accrington’s railway viaduct was to be sand-blasted to remove the grime which had blackened it. Funded on a 50/50 agreement between the Council and BR, Hyndburn would be able to claim 75% of their share from the Government in the form of a grant. March On Saturday the 9 th , a Rail Rambler travelled to Worksop, and on this occasion the six-car train was made up of units 53733-59054-53694-51576-59582-51590. The Development Services Committee met when the Borough Planning Officer, referred Members to a minute of 1984/85, which had approved a scheme in the Urban Programme with regard to the cleaning of Accrington’s Railway Viaduct. With this in mind he reported that British Railways had invited tenders for this work, and that the contract had been awarded to the lowest bidder. This was Cleanwalls Ltd, of Manchester, in the sum of £53,875 for the work to be completed within eight weeks. A dozen workmen would be scaling scaffolding to repair brickwork as well as cleaning the masonry and replacing downspouts. Members were reminded that it had been agreed that the Council had stated they would fund this scheme up to £30,000 or 50% of the cost for cleaning and repointing, and this would come from the Urban Programme’s Budget. However, prior to the last payment the Council would be required to feel satisfied that this contract reasonably represented the agreed works. He added that BR had accepted an additional contract with regard to the cleaning of the section of railway arch spanning Whalley Road, at an additional cost of £3,500. Another Rambler set off from Accrington for Kidderminster on Saturday the 23 rd , this time strengthened to nine, 51577-59532-51586-53655-59263-53697-53702-59206-53664. April At a meeting of the Highways & Transportation Committee, the Town Clerk submitted a report that briefly outlined the position on the current talks with British Railways, and this included the minutes of a

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