Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Station Master. The engine shed was now moved to a new site leaving room for the stores and workshops of the Carriage & Wagon Department, although a water tower was available for the replenishment of locomotive tanks. The carriage dock was reduced in size and used only for the repair of passenger stock as a new enlarged shed had also been constructed on the side of the Blackburn line further to the west. Signal boxes now replaced the ground frames which had controlled the points and signals up until this point. A footbridge at the Viaduct end of the main platforms joined the four main platforms together. ( Half of this metal structure is still in place today ). January It was announced that the L & Y were to construct a new station at Ewood Bridge on the Rawtenstall – Ramsbottom line. It would have two platforms each 100 yards long and 3´6´´ above the level of the rails. February Whilst going about his work on the 23 rd , William Hargreaves was killed in an accident at Accrington Goods Warehouse, only a short distance from where he lived on King Street in Accrington. On the 26 th , twenty-six local authorities, including Accrington, met in Manchester Town Hall to consider what action to take over the Railway Company’s Bill being promoted through Parliament, which if successful would allow them to increase their rates and charges. A resolution was passed that the Bill would have a negative effect on the trade and commerce of the boroughs which represented one-and-a half million people. Also that the Private Member’s Bill now passing through Parliament should be opposed before a second reading, and that all those present should lobby their MPs to block this Bill. March A large group of the employees of the L & Y met at Accrington Station on Sunday, the 29 th , and marched in procession to the Baptist Chapel on Cannon Street, where the Reverend Charles Williams preached a sermon in a memorial service to their deceased colleague, William Hargreaves. The service was organised by the local branch of the Association of Amalgamated Railway Servants in support of his widow and children and a collection raised £13 – 3s – 11d, before the assembly marched back to the station to disperse. A vote of thanks was offered to Messrs Crossley and Nixon, and Inspectors Bracewell, Cunliffe and Turner for their assistance in organising this tribute. April On Good Friday, an afternoon tea party was held in the assembly rooms of Accrington Town Hall, in connection with the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. This year fewer excursions were run on the day, which allowed a larger number of employees to attend. Mr Crompton was in charge of the organisation whilst the refreshments were in the hands of Mr Schofield from Helmshore. Following the food the tables were cleared and the entertainments commenced including several vocal renditions. July Under pressure from the Rawtenstall Local Board, the L & Y gave an undertaking that their engineer and surveyor would again survey the line of a possible railway between Rawtenstall and Burnley via Crawshawbooth. August During the Accrington Fair the Thursday traffic included a 4-day holiday to Blackpool arranged by ( the late ) Mr Altham and Mr Lawson, of which 700 took advantage, along with 400 who left during the evening for the Isle of Man and 800 for London both organised by Altham’s. Gross ticket sales on the Thursday amounted to 1,932 and on Friday 2,599 with trips taking 700 to Liverpool and Southport and also to Blackpool again through Altham’s. On Saturday there were 700 on Lawson’s & Thompson’s excursion to Lancaster, Morecambe, Windermere or Keswick, whilst other of their promotions saw 1,400 divided between Liverpool and Blackpool, the Association of Power Loom Weavers took 700 to Liverpool, the Foxhill Grove Primitive Methodists also went to the port with 600 trippers and an additional 700 went to both Southport and Blackpool on excursions organised by Altham’s & Lawson’s, giving a gross ticket sale of 5,410 including ordinary fares. Sunday was quieter with a gale blowing throughout Sunday and Monday, ticket sales were 1,130 on the Sabbath and 2,658 on the Monday, including 300 on the St. James’ School trip to Chatburn. The stalls on the Ellison Street Tenement and on the Market Grounds were packed away early, and a number of people on the participants on the IOM trip were taken ill during the return ferry crossing. Over the weekend of the Great Harwood Fair on Friday, the 21 st , to Sunday, the 23 rd , tickets booked at Great Harwood Station were 1,187 on Friday including 400 on Altham’s trip to Blackpool, which was also the most popular destination with 337 ordinary returns. On Saturday, the total was 1,410.

67