Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

This is of course falls short of a complete renationalisation of the railway network, when it was possible to buy one ticket between any two stations without the many complexities which currently exist. Unusually, on Monday the 20 th , the VTG tanks, which had not operated during the previous week, was single-headed by Class 56:302 sporting its nameplates. However, by the middle of the week it was back behind a Class 70, on this occasion 805. Recent Northern Rail re-liveries of Class 150:xxx diesel multiple units included 001 and 002 from Great Western Railway colours, both of which had been noted working through Accrington. Although not running every day, the VTG tanker train was back behind double-headed 56s on Monday, the 25 th . The pairing on this occasion was 56:302 piloting 56:094. However, by Wednesday the haulage had reverted to Class 70 traction, #816 being the locomotive in question. November From the very first day of the month, which just happened to be a Sunday, engineering work was being carried out on the line, with a couple of trains and a track testing moving on the East Lancs Line, and a subsequent reduction of services going east over the Pennines. As of Thursday the 9 th , the Government instituted a further lockdown expected to last until December the 2 nd . From observations the numbers of people using public transport were drastically reduced from those using both the buses and railways during normal times, despite the statistics that only about 3% of infections could be directly attributed to using public transport. Unless there were sound underlying health reasons for not wearing face coverings, all passengers were required to cover their mouths and noses with appropriate masks when using both modes of transport. Almost to prove a point, the overwhelming numbers of trains were operating exactly to time through Accrington, which suggests that it was the public who were responsible for the vast number of delays experienced during normal times. During the days in the middle of the month the following had been noted on the Blackpool North  York cross-Pennine services 158:816, 158:905 with 158:784 in tandem, and 195s 131, 107, 104, 113, 126, 121, 119 and 109, plus 195:005. Also on other more local services were 156:457 and 156:456. The frequencies on several services had also been reduced to reflect the introduction of the ‘winter timetable’. On Saturday the 22 nd and Sunday the 23 rd , there were no trains operating west of Preston as far as Hebden Bridge due to the usual seasonal engineering works. Noted in service between Blackpool North and York were, - 195:127 on Monday the 23 rd , 195:114 on Wednesday the 25 th , and on Friday the 27 th two-car 195:016. It had been reported that the final Class 142:xxx ‘Pacer’ was withdrawn from service on Thursday the 26 th . Based on the Leyland National bus body and developed in conjunction with British Railways Engineering in Derby, they were much derided in the press and by many travellers. They underwent more than one refurbishment during their thirty or so years of service. However, I am still convinced that if it were not for their introduction on the East Lancs Line services from 1985, this line would have been under grave threat of closure. They originally had 62 second class seats in each car, and were capable of a maximum speed of 75mph from their Leyland motors. They were light on the tracks and economical to operate, which is why several have been snapped up by preserved railway operators. Originally they were allocated to Newton Heath Sheds in Manchester, for services throughout our area. December What difference it will make to the area’s transport is by no means certain, as the national lockdown comes to an end during the first week of the month, only to be replaced by the even more punitive restrictions of Tier 3. Unusually the VTG tanker train was a short rake on Monday the 14 th , with a Class 66 in DB Schenker red on six tanks, but by Thursday, which was the second time the train had operated during the week, it was back to double-headed Class 56s, 087 piloting 113. However, Thursday the 17 th , proved to be a more significant day on the East Lancs Line. There was quite a significant amount of unusual activity just before three in the afternoon. The first movement was one where Freightliner Class 66:590 came west with two electric locomotives, 90:049 and 86:632 in tow. They were heading for Crewe Basford Halt Depot where they were to be stored. All were in Freightliner’s Green and yellow livery. The main feature however, was the appearance of the ‘ PENNINE MOORS XMAS EXPLORER ’ a special which had originated at Birmingham International earlier in the day. It had been diesel hauled to Crewe, where West County Pacific, 34046 ‘ Braunton ’ had been put on as motive power. Coming up the

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