RAILSCOTPhotographs of East Lancashire Railway
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Accrington: Flying Scotsman, at that time the only steam locomotive allowed on BR, runs into Accrington station from the east on The North Eastern railtour. Accrington North signalbox formerly controlled the junction with the Bury line in the foreground, by this time a parcels siding stub. This photo was taken by my late father, Tom Bartlett, who although not an enthusiast himself encouraged my hobby and took me to see this train pass through one of our local stations.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/04/1969] Ref: 22768 |
Aughton Park: There are four trains an hour in each direction serving Aughton Park. This is the view towards Ormskirk from alongside the ticket office on 29 June 2008 with 507019 standing at the platform on a service to Liverpool Central. From here two very steep paths lead down the cutting sides to the platforms.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [29/06/2008] Ref: 19634 |
Aughton Park: Situated in a deep cutting, Aughton Park station opened in 1907, almost 60 years after the line itself. The ticket office is at street level to the right of the bridge, well above the platforms. 507007 arrives on a Liverpool - Ormskirk service on 29 June.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [29/06/2008] Ref: 19635 |
Baxenden: Although Baxenden closed in 1951 trains from Accrington to Bury and Manchester continued to pass through until 1966. An industrial site now occupies the trackbed but, nearly sixty years after the last passengers left, part of the old up platform is still in place and inside the compound the remains of the down platform can be seen. View south at Map Ref SD 776257.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [21/01/2010] Ref: 27296 |
Baxenden: Looking down the two mile 1:37 Baxenden bank towards Accrington, a gruelling climb in steam days but now the Hyndburn Greenway. Remarkably, the LYR slipped coaches (detached on the move) from its Manchester to Colne expresses for Accrington station, right at the foot of the bank. This would have been like slipping coaches for Bromsgrove while descending the Lickey incline, a really tricky task for the guard who had to bring the slipped coach to a smooth stop in the station platform.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [21/01/2010] Ref: 27303 |
Baxenden: Immediately to the north of Baxenden station site the old ELR trackbed passes this mill lodge on a sturdy stone embankment. The two mile 1:37 descent to Accrington (and the Hyndburn Greenway) begins by the white houses. Even in diesel days this was a challenging line and the Cravens DMUs based at Accrington shed were all of the twin power car variety to cope with local gradients. Towards the end Helmshore was the only intermediate station on the Accrington to Stubbins line and closure finally came on 5th December 1966, the same day as the line from Bacup to Rawtenstall. [See image 21549]
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [21/01/2010] Ref: 27346 |
Blackburn: Scene at the east end of Blackburn station on 3 June 1967. The building on the left is part of the old fish dock with the former parcels depot alongside. This has since been demolished and a supermarket car park now overlooks the station [See image 22709]. Black 5 no 45339 is standing on the left, while on the right is the LCGB Thames-Tyne Limited, bound for Carlisle via the S&C, with Britannia Pacific no 70039 Sir Christopher Wren taking on water. [With thanks to Mark Bartlett & John McIntyre]
East Lancashire Railway Robin Barbour Collection [Courtesy Bruce McCartney] [03/06/1967] Ref: 26964 |
Blackburn: 40073 and 40186 captured together at the east end of Blackburn station in the summer of 1982 when there was still a reasonable amount of freight through the station. 40186 was withdrawn the following December and had been cut up at Doncaster by March 1983. 40073 lasted until the following June and was cut up a year later at Crewe. [See image 22849] for a Then and Now comparison.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [26/08/1982] Ref: 22848 |
Blackburn: A York to Blackpool North service, formed by Northern prmotional liveried 158790, calls at Blackburn in this view towards Preston. The feathers on the signals are for the junction with the line to Darwen and Bolton.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [03/03/2009] Ref: 22704 |
Blackburn: Blackburn tunnel lies immediately east of the station, as can be seen in this 2009 view, taken from the end of the island platform, of 158756 just departing on a Blackpool North to York service. [See image 26964]
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [03/03/2009] Ref: 22709 |
Blackburn: 158790 rolls into the east end of Blackburn station for a Then and Now comparison with [See image 22848]. The mill has been replaced by housing but the trackwork and signals are unchanged. Because I was more interested in Class 40s than station architecture in 1982 the pictures do not show the dramatic changes to Blackburn^s now demolished trainshed.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [03/03/2009] Ref: 22849 |
Blackburn: A Northern Pacer calls at Blackburn^s rebuilt station on its way to Colne. To the right, partly obscured by the telephone mast, the original station entrance building is still in use but the huge trainshed that once spanned the platforms [See image 7725] is now demolished.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [04/12/2009] Ref: 26685 |
Blackburn: Blackburn, as seen looking west from the adjacent supermarket car park, showing 158842 pulling into Platform 3 on a York to Blackpool service. The one remaining through goods line is to the left of the train and on the far right the four chimneys of the original station building can be seen, still partly in railway use but mainly now the town centre police station.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [04/12/2009] Ref: 26747 |
Blackburn: A Clitheroe to Manchester service emerges from the west end of Blackburn tunnel and runs into the station. The area in front of the two retaining walls was occupied by Blackburn East signal box until 1972, since when the track layout has been simplified and the tunnel lines are now bi-directional.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [04/12/2009] Ref: 26798 |
Blackburn: Clitheroe bound trains usually use the loop (Platform 1) at Blackburn while trains for York or Colne use platform 2. 150205 pulls away from Blackburn heading for the Ribble Valley and Clitheroe in this view looking west from the multistorey supermarket that occupies the old fish and parcels depot site. There is a marked contrast between the surviving station entrance building on the right and the rebuilt platform structures.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [04/12/2009] Ref: 26956 |
Blackburn (King St): As the coal depot shunter at Blackburn King St Drewry Class 04 2272, in a black livery, was kept in excellent condition. When the depot closed it moved to the South Yorkshire Railway scheme but is now on the Peak Railway. However, as pictures on www.preservedshunters.co.uk show, time has not been kind to the loco and it is now described as a long term restoration project.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [19/11/1980] Ref: 21403 |
Blackburn (King St): Blackburn King St was the East Lancashire Railway goods depot for the town but in later years was converted into a Coal Concentration Depot. Surprisingly, because the small diesel mechanicals were not common in the North West, an ex Bradford Hammerton St, Drewry Class 04, 2272 became the resident coal depot shunter for many years.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [19/11/1980] Ref: 21404 |
Brierfield: Opened as Marsden but renamed Brierfield in 1857. The signal box survives to operate the full barrier crossing, which is on a steep hill on a busy road. When this was a double track main line there was a further box, just by the curve in the distance, known as Brierfield Goods Yard. View towards Burnley on a wet, dreary July day.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [17/07/2008] Ref: 19903 |
Burnley Central: Northern Pacer 142013 squeals round the tight curve beyond the platform to cross Burnley viaduct on the short sharp climb up to Burnley Barracks and Gannow Junction near Rose Grove.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [16/04/2009] Ref: 23301 |
Burnley Central: An East Lancashire shadow of its former self. Although Burnley Central is still staffed, it is an ugly 1960^s building. The down platform has gone as have the once extensive goods and parcels facilities on the down side, now covered by modern retail outlets. 142013 is on a Colne to Blackpool South service.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [16/04/2009] Ref: 23302 |
Burscough Junction: The bridge in the foreground still carries the Preston to Ormskirk single line but that in the background now only the trackbed of the curve from Burscough Junction to Burscough Bridge [See image 22975]. However, if proposals come to fruition their roles would be reversed. Electrification would be extended north from Ormskirk and round the curve to Burscough Bridge. Trains from Preston would be similarly diverted over a relaid North to West curve and the direct line closed. We shall see.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [09/11/2009] Ref: 26246 |
Bury Bolton Street: The Rossendale Farewell DMU Railtour in February 1981, marking final closure of the line to Rawtenstall, passes Bury Bolton Street, closed to passengers the previous year with the opening of Bury Interchange. However, the 1200v side contact third rails can still be seen. Nowadays the station is of course the bustling hub of the East Lancashire Railway.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [14/02/1981] Ref: 19677 |
Bury Bolton Street: Metrovick Co-Bo D5705 standing in the bay platform at Bury, Bolton Street, around 1996.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [//1996] Ref: 18211 |
Bury Bolton Street: BR Type 2s D7629 and D5054 stand at Bury, Bolton Street, on 5 July during the East Lancs Railway^s diesel gala weekend.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [05/07/2009] Ref: 24615 |
Cherry Tree: The widening trackbed beyond the bridge and the old crossover are reminders that Cherry Tree was a junction, for the direct line to Chorley, until 1960. Now an unstaffed halt on the Blackburn to Preston line this picture looks west towards the next station at Pleasington. The former goods shed is still in the old goods yard alongside the Blackburn platform but now used as a small industrial unit.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [24/01/2009] Ref: 22251 |
Cherry Tree: Cherry Tree is very close to its neighbouring unstaffed halts on the Blackburn to Preston line. Mill Hill, the next station en route to Blackburn, is sited by the next bridge and visible from the platforms. Northern local services are only allowed four minutes from leaving Pleasington to leaving Mill Hill, including the intermediate stop at Cherry Tree.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [24/01/2009] Ref: 22252 |
Cherry Tree: The old goods shed in Cherry Tree yard is still in use, currently as a showroom for stoves and fireplaces. Lying as it does, at an angle to the main line, it must have been a tight little yard for shunting when open to rail traffic. Northern Pacer 142044 leaves for Preston and Blackpool South.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [04/12/2009] Ref: 26646 |
Cherry Tree: The next stop at Mill Hill is in sight (just by the distant bridge) as 142048 leaves Cherry Tree heading for Blackburn and Colne on a gloomy day. The long platform on the far side is disused apart from a short (2-coach) section.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [05/12/2009] Ref: 26823 |
Daisyfield Junction: Taken from the road bridge over the eastern portal of Blackburn Tunnel this picture shows Pacer 142002, cautiously approaching the tunnel, and also the signals protecting Daisyfield Junction where the Clitheroe and Hellifield line branches away from the Accrington line.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [17/11/2009] Ref: 26377 |
Ewood Bridge and Edenfield: About a month before closure in June 1972 a Newton Heath Derby DMU calls at Ewood Bridge & Edenfield on a Bury to Rawtenstall service. Although the East Lancashire line has now been reopened Ewood Bridge was replaced by the new halt at Irwell Vale and the buildings and platform have now gone. Freddie Thomas - one of five drivers in Bury diesel link is at the controls. From 1966 until 1972 a Cravens or Derby DMU was outstationed at Bury for the branch duties. Map Ref SD 797208
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [/05/1972] Ref: 19139 |
Ewood Bridge and Edenfield: The closure notices are posted and it is the last week of services on the Rawtenstall branch. A Newton Heath Cravens twin power-car DMU approaches Ewood Bridge and Edenfield from Rawtenstall on a Bury Bolton Street service. The distant signal (fixed) is for Townsend Fold level crossing just south of Rawtenstall. The line had been singled two years previously and the slew from Up to Down line can be seen behind the train. [See image 21792] for a modern day ^Then and Now^ comparison.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21224 |
Ewood Bridge and Edenfield: A curious place to put the loo. When I first started using this line in late 1968 the stations had already been destaffed but all the buildings were still in place. In 1970 when the branch was singled all station buildings were demolished except Ewood Bridge, albeit it was by then derelict. The unusual structure above the public toilet block is the toilet for the station house. Another feature I remember from the declining final years was the water running off the hillside, over the platform and onto the trackbed as seen here. The building was demolished after full closure and the platforms removed and have not been replaced since preservation of the line. Mark Bartlett
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21250 |
Ewood Bridge and Edenfield: A Cravens DMU pulls into Ewood Bridge, one week before closure, on a Bury Bolton Street service with Alf Davenport in the driving seat. When the line between Bury and Rawtenstall was singled three signal boxes remained to control level crossings but the distant signals for these became fixed and Alf was not impressed. If a man needs a fixed distant he shouldn^t be on the railway he would say. Fair point Alf - proud of his craft to the end, even on this very run down shadow of a former main line.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21946 |
Ewood Bridge and Edenfield: Another Then and Now comparison with a Cam Camwell pre closure picture [See image 21224] on the East Lancashire Railway at the site of Ewood Bridge and Edenfield. Although the station has not reopened under preservation the site has been greatly improved and the waterfall on the platform has been diverted into a substantial drain just in front of the train. The Met Cam DMU is heading for Ramsbottom with the first shuttle of the day and will connect with a Santa Special for Bury.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21792 |
Hapton: Northern Rail has really tidied up the East Lancashire stations recently. This is Hapton looking towards Rose Grove as 142003 pulls in on a Colne to Blackpool South service.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [08/05/2008] Ref: 18982 |
Hapton: General view of Hapton station from the overbridge looking towards Huncoat and Accrington as 158754 approaches on a Blackpool North to York service.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [08/05/2008] Ref: 18983 |
Helmshore: A view towards Stubbins, from the site of the level crossing at Helmshore, showing the now extended Station House, cutting and overbridge together with a cottage built on the site of, and in the style of, the old signalbox. In front of this one of the original level crossing gate posts can still be seen. The line to Accrington closed in December 1966 and the station site, behind the camera, has now been covered by housing.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21794 |
Helmshore: If the East Lancashire Railway^s original preservation plans had come to fruition this viaduct, over the River Ogden, would be carrying steam trains from Stubbins Junction to Grane Road. However, in 1972, the preservation society moved from Helmshore to Bury to concentrate on reopening the line to Rawtenstall and the tracks on the former line to Accrington, closed in 1966, were lifted.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21865 |
Heywood: Deltic 55022 The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry stands at Heywood on 5 July 2009 during the East Lancs diesel gala weekend.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [05/07/2009] Ref: 24716 |
Hoghton: Preston can be seen on the skyline as 142041 passes Hoghton summit, although it is still eight miles away. Immediately around this bend the unit will pass over the level crossing that marks the site of Hoghton station, closed in 1960.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [07/09/2009] Ref: 25392 |
Hoghton: Pacer in the Lancashire countryside. Northern 142056, on a Colne service, has just topped Hoghton bank and is dropping down towards the River Darwen and Pleasington station. The hill rising very steeply on the right supports the fortified manor house known as Hoghton Tower.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [07/09/2009] Ref: 25338 |
Hoscar: A very wet afternoon at Hoscar station as a Southport to Manchester service rushes through on 26 August 2009. The train is not stopping at this rural station and the level crossing barrier is already lifting to allow road traffic to move on Hoscar Moss Road. Just out of shot to the left of the photo is the Railway public house, a very useful place to retreat to on such a miserable day!
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [26/08/2009] Ref: 25241 |
Huncoat: This view towards Rose Grove and Burnley shows the original (local?) red brick buildings at Huncoat as D204 approaches on Cartic empties having travelled over the Copy Pit line. [See image 19323]
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [//1972] Ref: 19324 |
Huncoat: Huncoat signal box once controlled access to the colliery across a second level crossing to the right of the one that remains. There were also sidings for the brickworks in the area behind the box now occupied by the trees. Signalling on this line is now controlled from Preston and Huncoat box now operates the level crossing only.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [08/05/2008] Ref: 18971 |
Huncoat: 142036 bounces through Huncoat without stopping on its way to Colne. View across the level crossing towards Accrington. Huncoat Colliery, closed in 1968, was adjacent to the station.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [08/05/2008] Ref: 18972 |
Huncoat: Huncoat today but from the same viewpoint as picture 19324 looking towards Hapton and Rose Grove showing the modern waiting shelters that replaced the original buildings. 142015 calls at the station on its way from Colne to Blackpool South.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [01/06/2009] Ref: 19323 |
Huncoat: The former Huncoat Colliery access bridge, just beyond Huncoat^s platforms, sees two Pacers cross while rostered on East Lancs line services. In my early years, until 1964, I lived opposite the colliery entrance and remember WD 2-8-0s clanking under this bridge on coal trains and NCB liveried AEC 8 wheel lorries growling over it loaded with coal.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [01/06/2009] Ref: 23951 |
Huncoat Power Station: 0-6-0F Huncoat No.3 shunts 16T coal wagons into the tippler at Huncoat Power Station. The power station, visible on the left beyond the main line, operated from 1956 to 1984 but has since been demolished.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [22/05/1975] Ref: 19696 |
Huncoat Power Station: Fireless 0-6-0 Huncoat No 3 draws coal wagons from the tippler at Huncoat Power Station between Blackburn and Burnley. Not the best quality picture but it does show the conveyors that went across the mainline and an 0-4-0F, by then out of use. Prior to 1968 the power station was also supplied directly from Huncoat Colliery by a private railway.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [22/05/1975] Ref: 19697 |
Huncoat Power Station: Fireless 0-6-0F Huncoat No.3 propels loaded 16T coal wagons into one of the tipplers in the Huncoat Power Station exchange sidings in 1975, a task it must have done innumerable times in the years since the station opened in 1956.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [22/05/1975] Ref: 20559 |
Huncoat Power Station: A Fireless 0-4-0F lies out of use beside the tippler building at Huncoat Power Station in May 1975, leaving work in the hands of 0-6-0F No.3
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [22/05/1975] Ref: 20560 |
Lostock Hall: A ^last weekend of steam^ photograph showing the last Britannia 4-6-2, 70013 Oliver Cromwell ready to leave 10D Lostock Hall shed for specials duties. In the background are the platforms of the original Lostock Hall station, which closed the following year.
East Lancashire Railway David Hindle [02/08/1968] Ref: 25549 |
Lostock Hall: A view of Lostock Hall at the end of steam working. All the steam locos visible are LMS 5MT 4-6-0s, those on the far right being on the scrap line. Two Class 25 Type 2 and a Brush Class 47 are also visible as is one of the four Yorkshire Engine Co 0-4-0DH Class 02 shunters (D2861/2/3/8) that worked from here until 1970.
East Lancashire Railway David Hindle [02/08/1968] Ref: 25579 |
Lostock Hall: 70013 Oliver Cromwell, the last surviving Britannia 4-6-2, is prepared on Lostock Hall shed for one of the last End of Steam special as a Black 5 simmers on an adjacent road. Forty years later the loco is of course back on the main line again.
East Lancashire Railway David Hindle [02/08/1968] Ref: 25604 |
Lostock Hall: A bit of enthusiastic bulling has given Black 5 4-6-0 44971 a shiny smokebox for its last duties. The loco also has a full tender as it makes its way through the sidings at Lostock Hall shed. In the background is the scrap line containing many of 44971^s already withdrawn sister engines and alongside is one of the Type 2 Class 25 Bo-Bo diesels that took over many of Lostock Hall^s steam duties.
East Lancashire Railway David Hindle [02/08/1968] Ref: 25852 |
Mill Hill: Mill Hill station was a Lancashire and Yorkshire era addition to the East Lancashire line and so was constructed with a L&YR standard island platform, platform canopy and street level booking office. [See image 21199] for a surviving example at Atherton. All original facilities have now been swept away but beyond the platform the goods shed still stands and is in industrial use. 158753 runs through the station with a York to Blackpool service on 4 December in this view towards Blackburn.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [04/12/2009] Ref: 26706 |
Nelson: The ornate canopy at Nelson station, opened by the East Lancs Railway in 1849. Still an impressive structure, although it would doubtless benefit from some refurbishment. Seen here on 8 November 2007 looking northeast towards Colne.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [08/11/2007] Ref: 17122 |
Nelson: The abandoned side of the island (former eastbound) platform at Nelson, Lancashire on 8 November.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [08/11/2007] Ref: 17125 |
Nelson: Looking west along the platform at Nelson on 8 November with a Colne - Blackpool North service having just arrived.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [08/11/2007] Ref: 17140 |
Nelson: The driver of an eastbound class 142 reaches out of his cab window at Barkerhouse Road level crossing, Nelson, on 8 November in order to activate the barrier control.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [08/11/2007] Ref: 17157 |
Nelson: Barkerhouse level crossing, just east of Nelson station, where the driver must pull the cord on the board next to the STOP sign in order to activate the crossing warning lights and barriers, following which he obtains a white proceed light. Once his train has cleared the crossing the barriers are then raised automatically. I have not come across any other examples of a crossing operated in this way other than at stations where a train is scheduled to stop anyway (eg Kirknewton), or on some freight-only lines.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [08/11/2007] Ref: 17268 |
Nelson: The low viaduct immediately east of Nelson station sees Northern Rail Pacer 142040 crossing on its way to the terminus at Colne against the backdrop of the town.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [26/09/2008] Ref: 20878 |
Plates, signs and notices: Timetable subject to alteration - and how! On 5th December 1966 most of the services in this timetable ceased and many of the lines involved closed completely. The Accrington services ran via Helmshore to Stubbins Junction, and beyond Bury to Manchester via Clifton Junction. Services from Bacup that did not terminate at Bury Bolton St continued to Manchester via Heywood and Moston so, with the electric line, Bury had three through routes to Manchester. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the timetable is that, until the day of closure, Bacup enjoyed a twice hourly service to Bury on weekdays increasing to every 15 minutes on Saturdays. Once the line had been cut back to Rawtenstall there was a single DMU stabled at Bury shuttling to Rawtenstall and back a mere 12 times a day Monday to Saturday and of course that service ceased w.e.f. 5th June 1972.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [05/12/1966] Ref: 21549 |
Plates, signs and notices: The last British Rail service from Rawtenstall left at 9.05pm on Saturday 3rd June 1972 to the usual explosive detonator send off. Driver Harry Lofthouse was at the controls of the four-car DMU that had been put on for the last day trippers. Except for the first train from Bury I travelled on every service on that last day and was grateful to the ticket inspector at Bury Bolton Street who saved the closure notice for me while I was riding on the last train. Living near Rawtenstall at the time I then of course had to get the bus back home.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [03/06/1972] Ref: 21984 |
Pleasington: Pleasant Pleasington. Looking east towards Cherry Tree from the overbridge at Pleasington station the open countryside on the outskirts of Blackburn can be seen. 142009 is pulling away on a Colne bound stopping service.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/11/2009] Ref: 26312 |
Pleasington: An East Lancashire line stopping service calls at Pleasington on its way to Preston and Blackpool South. Northern Pacers, such as 142054 seen here, still predominate on these services. This view looks west towards Hoghton.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/11/2009] Ref: 26315 |
Preston Junction: Preston Junction was known as Todd Lane Junction from 1952 until closure in 1968. As a youngster I was taken from Huncoat to Todd Lane on the Accrington based Cravens DMUs many times for family visits and got to know its island platform well. After 1968 trains ran through for a further four years until full closure. It has since become the Preston Junction country park as seen in this view towards Preston from the site of the former overbridge and station entrance. Map Reference SD 553264
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [15/03/2009] Ref: 22897 |
Ramsbottom: A Cravens DMU has just arrived in Ramsbottom from Rawtenstall, one week before closure. The Diesel Link drivers at Bury all remembered the days when the East Lancashire lines had an intensive freight and passenger service, including through trains to London. It must have been demoralising for them to shuttle back and forth to Rawtenstall through semi-derelict stations thinking of what had gone before. Ramsbottom had two footbridges, one either side of the crossing, but when it lost its buildings the bridge linking the platforms was demolished too. That bridge has now been restored by the ELR but the one from which this picture was taken, looking south, has gone. [See image 21764] for a modern comparison.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21508 |
Ramsbottom: Right up to the time when the Accrington and Bacup lines closed in December 1966 Ramsbottom was a substantial station that enjoyed a service of 46 trains to Bury on weekdays, rising to 60 on Saturdays when there was a 15 minute interval service from Bacup. From that date there were a mere 12 trains each way per day, the buildings were demolished and the line singled in 1970. The signal cabin remained open but only to control the level crossing and an awful plywood shelter was put on the platform. One week after this picture was taken the passenger service ceased but the box survived to be operated by the crews of the coal trains to Rawtenstall. The restoration work since reopening by the East Lancashire Railway has created an outstanding preserved line station and the signal box is controlling trains once more.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21550 |
Ramsbottom: The Rossendale Farewell Railtour from Manchester Victoria is halted at Ramsbottom, for the level crossing gates to be opened, on its outward journey to Rawtenstall. The enthusiast with cine camera at the second door of the DMU is the late Fred Young, well known among the active members involved in the early days of the E.L.R. Preservation Society. The land in the foreground of this picture is now occupied by the reconstructed Up platform built after the East Lancashire Railway reopened.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [14/02/1981] Ref: 25767 |
Ramsbottom: D8020 about to leave Ramsbottom on the East Lancs on 30 June with a service for Rawtenstall. The locomotive has a 66A shed plate affixed below the cabside number.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [30/06/2007] Ref: 15834 |
Ramsbottom: Ramsbottom Station, July 2007.
East Lancashire Railway John Robin [18/07/2007] Ref: 17795 |
Ramsbottom: Full credit to the East Lancashire Railway for their restoration at Ramsbottom, which includes reinstating the wheel operated level crossing gate mechanism. Here the gates are opened to road traffic after the DMU has departed for Rawtenstall.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21763 |
Ramsbottom: A remarkable contrast with Cam Camwell^s picture of Ramsbottom, [See image 21508] taken one week before closure, is this view 36 years later showing how effective the East Lancashire Railway^s efforts have been. The DMU is for Rawtenstall and is waiting to connect with a Santa Special from Bury.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21764 |
Ramsbottom: The Great Marquess, on ELR Santa Special duties, waits by the level crossing at Ramsbottom. In the early 1960s Ramsbottom was very busy with passenger and freight trains and the signal box here was operated continuously seven days a week, apart from a short period in the small hours of Monday mornings. 61994 returned to Thornton after this weekend^s ELR roster.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21820 |
Ramsbottom: A last Lancashire duty before heading back to Scotland the following Tuesday. K4 61994 simmers in the rain at Ramsbottom after arriving with a Santa Special. It will go back to Bury Bolton St on the tail of the Class 33 hauled train before another run up the Irwell Valley.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21821 |
Ramsbottom: BR Standard class 8 Pacific no 71000 Duke of Gloucester, photographed with a train at Ramsbottom on the East Lancs Railway on 29 March 2009.
East Lancashire Railway Craig McEvoy [29/03/2009] Ref: 24616 |
Ramsbottom: 20087 with a train at Ramsbottom on 5 July 2009. Part of the East Lancashire Railway diesel gala weekend.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [05/07/2009] Ref: 24637 |
Ramsbottom: D5054 alongside D1062 Western Courier at Ramsbottom on 5 July during the East Lancs diesel gala weekend.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [05/07/2009] Ref: 24683 |
Ramsbottom: For God^s sake Jim don^t make an ersk of this.... numerous cameras get ready to ^capture the moment^ as 37418 approaches the level crossing at Ramsbottom station on 5 July 2009, the occasion of the East Lancs diesel gala.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [05/07/2009] Ref: 24594 |
Rawtenstall: Push Pull for Bacup at Rawtenstall with L&YR 2-4-2T 50647. Believed to have been taken around 1951 and certainly prior to the introduction of DMUs in 1955. Rawtenstall was then a through station but, following closure in 1972, has now been rebuilt as the terminus of the preserved East Lancashire Railway. This view is to the south towards Ewood Bridge and Bury.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [//1951] Ref: 21209 |
Rawtenstall: Deltic 55002 The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry arrives at a twilit Rawtenstall station on the East Lancs line circa 1996.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [//1996] Ref: 18122 |
Rawtenstall: Class 40 D335 runs round its train at Rawtenstall during an East Lancs Railway Gala in 1996.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [//1996] Ref: 18947 |
Rawtenstall: The 2 surviving members of class 42, Warships D821 Greyhound (nearest the camera, masquerading on this occasion as D810) and D832 Onslaught photographed circa 1997 running round their train at Rawtenstall.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [//1997] Ref: 18599 |
Rawtenstall: Jubilee 5690 Leander at Rawtenstall on 25 January 2008.
East Lancashire Railway Craig McEvoy [25/01/2008] Ref: 24625 |
Rawtenstall: Standard Class 4 no 76079 pictured at Rawtenstall on 25 January 2008.
East Lancashire Railway Craig McEvoy [25/01/2008] Ref: 24682 |
Rawtenstall: BR Standard class 9F 2-10-0 no 92214 photographed near Rawtenstall station in February 2009
East Lancashire Railway Craig McEvoy [/02/2009] Ref: 24662 |
Ribble Viaduct: The former East Lancashire railway viaduct over the River Ribble south of Preston seen on 1 March 2009. The trackbed is now fenced off but the footpath is still in use.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [01/03/2009] Ref: 22701 |
Rishton: View from the station footbridge at Rishton towards Blackburn. Colne to Blackpool South trains provide a basic hourly service in each direction.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21857 |
Rishton: A Colne to Blackpool South service, formed by Northern unit 156472, calls at Rishton. The footbridge originally also spanned the goods yard, which was to the left of this picture but is now occupied by a housing development. View towards Accrington.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21858 |
Rishton: The causeway at Rishton sees a Northern Pacer crossing on its way to Colne with a late afternoon service. This structure divides a local reservoir in two. On the north side of the railway is a sailing club but on this side only the local wildlife.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [04/12/2009] Ref: 26722 |
Rose Grove: Stanier 8F 48727 on shed at Rose Grove, Burnley (latterly BR code 10F) in the mid 1960s, photographed from the station platform just to the south east of the site. Rose Grove, together with Lostock Hall and Carnforth, formed the last of BRs main line operational steam sheds. The buildings seen here were demolished shortly after official closure in August 1968 and much of the area now forms part of the M65 Motorway. [With thanks to John McIntyre & Mark Bartlett]
East Lancashire Railway Robin Barbour Collection [Courtesy Bruce McCartney] [//] Ref: 21176 |
Rose Grove: Stanier 8F 48727 providing footplate rides to young enthusiasts at Rose Grove, Burnley, in the mid 1960s - occasion unknown. Photographed from the platform at Rose Grove station with the old shed in the background.
East Lancashire Railway Robin Barbour Collection [Courtesy Bruce McCartney] [//] Ref: 21367 |
Rose Grove: One of the pair of rebuilt Jubilee class locomotives no 45735 Comet (the other being 45736 Phoenix) stands on Rose Grove shed on 7 April 1963. Despite talk of possible preservation the locomotive was eventually cut up at Cashmores, Great Bridge, in January 1965.
East Lancashire Railway David Pesterfield [7/04/1963] Ref: 23555 |
Rose Grove: Locomotives stand alongside Rose Grove shed, Burnley, thought to be in July 1968. Beyond the 8F at the buffer stops is Black 5 45397 and beyond that 44690. The shed has long been demolished with much of the area now occupied by the M65 motorway. [With thanks to Donald Hillier & John McIntyre]
East Lancashire Railway K A Gray [/07/1968] Ref: 26564 |
Rose Grove: Line up of 1970s NW motive power in the holding sidings at Rose Grove. Left to right are 5271, 5276, 325 and 5286 in this view from the island platform towards Accrington. The freight traffic that had kept the steam shed busy until 1968 was not to last much longer and these sidings were then lifted.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [//1970] Ref: 27219 |
Rose Grove: 142037 on a Blackpool - Colne service calls at Rose Grove on 30 June.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [30/06/2007] Ref: 15828 |
Rose Grove: A name forever associated with the end of BR steam, Rose Grove near Burnley on 30 June. The shed stood in the area off to the left (north) of the station.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [30/06/2007] Ref: 15880 |
Rose Grove: Colne - Blackpool South train arrives at Rose Grove on 30 June.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [30/06/2007] Ref: 15896 |
Stacksteads: Space was always at a premium in the upper Rossendale Valley and Stacksteads station, last stop before the terminus at Bacup, was built over this bridge on the River Irwell. The grass mound is part of the remains of the island platform. Trains ceased to run beyond Rawtenstall in December 1966 and the track was lifted soon after.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [16/04/2009] Ref: 23340 |
Stubbins: View south towards Ramsbottom at Stubbins one week before closure. The station buildings were located at the far end of the disused platform, near the village centre (SD 792181). The platform outside the station building was at the original very low level and fenced off from the tracks. After the line was singled this shelter, accessed by subway, was a poor replacement. The Accrington line, closed in 1966, runs behind the platform fencing. [See image 21774] for a modern day ^Then and Now^ comparison.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21295 |
Stubbins: A Cravens DMU calls at Stubbins on its way from Bury Bolton Street to Rawtenstall in 1972. These Newton Heath allocated twin power-car Class 105 sets were the mainstay of branch services for many years, sometimes substituted by Derby 108 units. The rails of the closed Accrington line can just be seen beyond the platform. This line climbed steeply alongside the Rawtenstall and Bacup line for some distance before swinging to the North West and away from the Irwell Valley towards Helmshore. View towards Ewood Bridge and Edenfield.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21308 |
Stubbins: Last train of the day and the last week of operation on the Rawtenstall branch. The sun is setting on the Irwell Valley as a Cravens DMU heads north from the station at Stubbins and passes through the hamlet of Strongstry.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [29/05/1972] Ref: 23341 |
Stubbins: The Rossendale Farewell Railtour marked the cessation of coal traffic to Rawtenstall and closure of the line. It ran from Manchester via Castleton, Heywood and Bury. Stubbins closed to passengers in 1972 and has not been reopened by the East Lancashire Railway. The platforms only served the Bacup and Rawtenstall line and not the Accrington line, the trackbed of which can be seen beyond the running line and which had closed completely in 1966.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [14/02/1981] Ref: 19681 |
Stubbins: Although it has never reopened in the preservation era the platforms at Stubbins are still intact and it has changed little from the pictures taken at the time of closure in 1972 [See image 21295]. The ELR Metropolitan Cammell DMU recreates those last days as it heads for Rawtenstall on a shuttle from Ramsbottom.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21774 |
Summerseat: Scene of the demo. When the Accrington line closed and the Bacup line was cut back to Rawtenstall on 5th December 1966 the service at Summerseat was drastically cut mid-timetable, losing around 75% of its weekday trains. The incensed locals held a demonstration and blockade at the station and several arrests were made. Services were still pruned though but the line lingered on for a further few years. However, as can be seen, buildings were demolished and the replacement shelter was less than basic and clearly not intended to last. Note however the 2, 4 and 6 Car Stop signs still in place on the disused down platform in this view towards Ramsbottom. [See image 21959] for a modern day ^Then and Now^ comparison.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21700 |
Summerseat: The tilted cap and beaming smile means that Alf Davenport is at the controls of the Cravens twin-powercar DMU pulling into Summerseat after a 70mph run up from Bury Bolton St. Alf was one of five drivers in the Bury diesel link at the end of the Rawtenstall passenger services along with Paddy Delaney, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Unsworth and Harry Lofthouse and relief driver Gorton Joe Walker. There had been six but Arthur (Mad Mac) McCormack transferred to the Bury Leccie Link before the line closed and the other five drivers followed on 5th June 1972. These diesel drivers made the local teenage enthusiasts very welcome on the trains and I shall always be grateful to them for encouraging our hobby.
East Lancashire Railway W A Camwell Collection [Courtesy Mark Bartlett] [27/05/1972] Ref: 21627 |
Summerseat: Compared with the pre closure picture from 1972 [See image 21700], Summerseat^s facilities have not changed dramatically, despite the passage of 36 years, but it certainly looks well cared for these days in preservation. View north towards Ramsbottom.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [13/12/2008] Ref: 21959 |
Summerseat: 40145 arrives with a train on the East Lancashire Railway at Summerseat on 5 July 2009.
East Lancashire Railway Colin Alexander [05/07/2009] Ref: 24688 |
Summerseat Viaduct: Christmas time on the East Lancs. Britannia Pacific no 70013 Oliver Cromwell crosses Summerseat Viaduct.
East Lancashire Railway Ian Dinmore [//] Ref: 11860 |
Town Green: Police Station or railway station? Both actually. Lancashire Constabulary operates out of the northern half of the station building while the remainder is the booking office. For a long time the station was known as Town Green & Aughton and the police station is called Aughton. 507019, in Capital of Culture vinyls, calls on its way from Liverpool to Ormskirk in June 2008.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [28/06/2008] Ref: 19649 |
Waterfoot: The site of Waterfoot station, alongside the River Irwell, viewed from the west portals of Newchurch No. 1 and Thrutch tunnels looking towards Rawtenstall. An industrial yard occupies the site of the station, closed with the line in 1966.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [16/04/2009] Ref: 23832 |
Waterfoot: Immediately east of Waterfoot station were these now bricked up tunnels. On the left is the original Newchurch No. 1, a short tunnel followed by another, Newchurch No.2. When the line to Bacup was doubled the full length Thrutch tunnel (what a marvellous East Lancashire name) was bored alongside the two shorter ones but without the gap. Newchurch 1 and 2 tunnels can still be seen alongside the main road to Bacup through Waterfoot Glen.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [16/04/2009] Ref: 23833 |
Westhead Halt: Passenger services from Ormskirk to Rainford ceased in 1958 but the intermediate halt at Westhead, next to this overbridge, closed earlier in 1951. Although the long embankment to the west of this point is still there the overbridge has gone as has the eastern abutment, cleared to create a driveway to a house built on the old formation. Around Skelmersdale the trackbed is built over but at the Ormskirk end of the line cuttings, bridges and embankments can still be seen. Map Reference SD 439080.
East Lancashire Railway Mark Bartlett [09/11/2009] Ref: 26288 |
Whitehouse Junction: The second photo from my cab ride from Red Scar sidings at Ribbleton (on the Longridge branch) to Lostock Hall on Black 5 4-6-0 44874 [see image 24975]. This picture is on the now closed East Lancashire lines from Preston out to Todd Lane Junction where the train took the chord round to Lostock Hall. The Whitehouse Junctions formed a triangle between this line and the Southport line. That line had closed in 1964 and this followed in 1972 when East Lancashire line trains were diverted via Farington Curve Junction. Even though this is the last weekday of steam working another steam hauled coal train is approaching on the opposite line, possibly heading for Fleetwood Power Station. Penwortham Gas Works, then also rail served, can be seen on the skyline.
East Lancashire Railway David Hindle [02/08/1968] Ref: 26645 |
Whitehouse North Junction: The former Whitehouse North Junction, looking south on 1 March 2009. The path on the left led to Todd Lane and Bamber Bridge on the East Lancashire Railway; the path to the right to Whitehouse West Jct and Penwortham Cop Lane on the West Lancashire Railway.
East Lancashire Railway John McIntyre [01/03/2009] Ref: 22707 |