Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

of 158:859 another as yet unrefurbished 2 car. Just one unit, ex-Scotland’s Railways 158:871 had been reported as going through the programme of refurbishment and re-liverying. What was different was the returning Southport to Blackburn service had a rear two carriages made up of 142:058. It had been reported that the first of this class of unit, 142:005, was being broken up at Booth’s in Rotherham in early December, to be followed by 142:044. Perhaps predictions of their imminent demise had been overestimated, as Arriva Rail North would retain 11 of these units with a service requirement of 9 on each full operating day. It was conceded however, that they would be coupled to fully accessible 150:xxx unit’s on three routes in the north. A further 13 would be retained ‘in warm store’ to serve as parts replacements should there be any failures, so it was likely that we might see them again into the New Year through Accrington. The situation was apparently so confused that the platform displays on Accrington Station, were showing “WELCOME TO ACCRINGTON” until only a couple of minutes before the next train was due, instead of the rolling display giving advanced notice of not only the next departure, but the one after that. It had been announced that Arriva Rail North was to operate trains on Boxing Day for the first time for several years on three of their routes. But unsurprisingly the East Lancs Line would not be one to benefit. Just as well when you consider that statistics reveal that in 2019 to the end of the year only 55·6% of trains arrived on time. Monday the 23 rd , wouldn’t help as the 09:11 Blackpool North to York did not operate due to “driver shortages”. The 09:12 York to Blackpool North was in the hands of 2-car 158:787 and was only a few minutes down, so probably wouldn’t show up in the statistical analysis. Things would not be all that much better in the New Year, as advanced notice had already been given that there will be disruption to train services after Saturday, the 15 th of February and Sunday, the 23 rd , when a bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Church and Rishton is replaced. This closure, when coaches will be replacing trains, will affect all services travelling between Colne and Preston, Blackburn and Manchester, Blackpool North and York. The bridge in question dates from the Victorian era has to be replaced in order to protect its structural integrity. It will also mean the area adjacent to Accrington’s golf course will be out of bounds for a period as well as the towpath. However, some of the new structure will be delivered to the site from a compound at Foxhill Bank, on barges using the canal for access. The replacing of the bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal during February, was only a part of the £3·95 millions to be spent on upgrading the lines through North East Lancashire. There would be further works at Gannow Junction, in Townley Tunnel and to strengthen the railway bridge over the canal at Rose Grove. This will see trains cancelled between January 27 th and March 6 th , for the work at Rose Grove, and between February 15 th and the 23 rd for the section between Church and Rishton. Coaches will replace trains between Blackburn to Colne and Todmorden and Blackburn for the duration of these works. Although less than the retail price index, rail fares went up by on average 2·7% at the beginning of the year, which has brought protests from several quarters due to the overall poor standard of efficiency of the network as a whole and more specifically on those groups concerned with the performance of Arriva. The parent company, Deutsche Bahn, has said it will not sell Arriva but instead in May will float a ‘minority stake’ in the company. Having previously put it on the market it did not receive offers which went near to matching its £3·4 billions valuation (€4 billions). The only confirmed bid was of £2·1 billions from a United States based equity group Carlyle, which was less than the book value of the company. It was reported that Carlyle did not want to include the Northern Rail franchise in the deal. This comes as no surprise as the latest Transport Minister, Grant Chapps, has categorically said he will strip Arriva of their franchise back from the company unless things improve rapidly and substantially. He may have to act quickly, as discontent is apparent all across the land as only 65% of all trains ran on time last year.

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CHAPTER 18

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