Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Revolution. The repairs, which cost a half a million pounds, included installing bars and plates to stabilise the arches, a new drainage system and repointing of the brickwork. Network Rail had stated the work was completed on schedule and within budget. June At a meeting of Travelwatch North West held at the County Hall in Preston, on the railway front, it was announced, work on the reinstatement of the Todmorden Curve was due to start at the end of this year. This would entail closing the line for twelve weeks with ‘rail replacement’ services operating it was thought between Hebden Bridge and Rose grove for the duration. Work would include relining Holme Tunnel, which has had a twenty mile per hour speed limit imposed through it since it was reinforced several years ago. It also appeared that the line between Darwen and Blackburn would be doubled during 2015, from the single line sections which now prevent a more frequent and reliable service from operating on the Manchester to Clitheroe service. August Having designated Huncoat Station as one of those on the East Lancashire Line which was a ‘request’ stop, Northern Rail had now decided it will become a compulsory stopping place once again on the Colne  Blackpool South service. On the other hand due to a scheme to concentrate signalling in a few major centres, Huncoat Level Crossing Box was due to be closed and then demolished. It did not appear it would be one of those listed as worthy of preserving as a non-operational landmark. So powerful were the locomotives hauling freight trains that they made light of climbing up the incline from the end of Accrington’s viaduct with its 10mph speed limit to the cemetery where the line levels off, even with a rake of double bogie tank wagons. As had been the case twice in one week, when EWS liveried DB Schenker locomotives 66:250 and the following day 66:051 were noted pounding up from town, the roar of the engines giving notice they were working at full power when approaching the bridge from Whitewell Road. However, there was a distinct difference to the sound made by the two Direct Rail Services class 37’s as they topped and tailed the 3-coach, yellow liveried track inspection train as it hurried by. Both locos 37:405 and 37:419, were previously on EWS stock-lists, but now carried the dark blue based DRS livery. Number 37:405 was previously numbered 37:282, whilst 37:419 was 37:291. When new in May and June, 1965 these engines were numbered 6982 and 6991 and were both allocated to Cardiff Canton shed. For the record 37:405 had been named Strathclyde Region , but was not currently named. On Friday the 23 rd , the locomotive hauling the VTG tanker train was EWS liveried 66:057. This was followed on Thursday the 29 th , by similarly liveried 66:114. October Network Rail had announced that it was looking to reinstate double track on the section of line between Darwen and Bromley Cross in order to increase capacity on the Clitheroe to Manchester services. This would however, not include the track through Sough Tunnel or the bridge over the M65. Along with the opening of the Todmorden Loop this would pave the way for two circular services from Manchester Victoria via Bolton, Darwen, Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley Manchester Road, Todmorden and Rochdale in both the clockwise and anti-clockwise directions as indeed had been the case in the days of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway. Even though the work on the Todmorden Curve would be completed on time, the service connecting Manchester Victoria with Blackburn via Rochdale, Todmorden, Burnley and Accrington would not commence until six months after the work has been finished. This was due to a lack of suitable diesel multiple units. Recent sightings on the VTG tanker train include DB Schenker #60:091 in DB red livery. The portents were not good for better rolling-stock when it had been announced that Northern Rail had confirmed that it was to ‘refit’ its trains to the tune of £800,000. Operated by the consortium Serco/Abellio, a spokesperson had stated that the refurbishment of stock should be completed at their Merseyside depots by March, 2014. November For a period of 20 weeks commencing on the 9 th , coaches would replace trains on the section of line between Burnley Manchester Road Station and Hebden Bridge whilst work to ‘strengthen’ Holme Tunnel was carried out. This was due to be finished by March 28 th , 2014, and would affect services operating the Blackpool North  York route, plus any freight which previously went over the Pennines by this route. December When the Manchester Victoria to Blackburn, via Burnley Manchester Road and Accrington train service begins in 2014, it was likely that the stock would be that cascaded away from the electrified

448