Accrington Train station
 

Hi, the younger end of the members of Accringtonweb will just not believe this view of how Accrington Station once was. If you look to the right of the photograph, at the little building you can see, you will realise that this same building is still there - the ticket office. And ... see the bridge over the track, its actually got windows in, thats where we did "our courting" ;)

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Atarah
Is that you in the background standing on the station ?HEHE
Its a good pic don't see much of the old steam trains now alot on here will NEVER have seen one.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

That's the 4 O'clock up goods train, taking on water....but the existing ticket office is not the same building as that on the right hand side of the picture, unfortunatley

Accrington Train station
 

Oh yes Tealeaf, perhaps you are correct, thought it was the same one but modified, but .. now I look at it closely ......
Here's another view

Re: Accrington Train station
 

1952 I was on my way to Germany via harwich where I had been posted the troop train stopped on accrington station on looking out there was Carlton Froggat a old school chum sweeping the platform I dont know who was more surprised him or me he shouted were you going all I could manage to say was abroad as we puffed out the station

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Just looking again at the first picture above it appears that the picture has been reversed or alternatively we've got the ticket office location wrong....judging by the location of the footbridge, then the picture was taken from the site where the ticket office now stands..

Re: Accrington Train station
 

The photo is the correct way. The train is just coming off the viaduct. Actually the building partly seen on the right was either the Porters Room or the Goods Office. The original booking office was accessed from Eagle st and was slightly to the right. Remember present day Booking Office is at the Paxton St side.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Are you sure Bert? If the platform shown is the Paxton Street side - where the booking office currently is - then the goods train coming in is coming in on the wrong side of the track.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

D'ya know Tealeaf, I was just thinking that myself. If those steps that I can make out, on the left hand side of the photo are the ones still there today, then the trains must have come in on that line, on their way to Preston, whereas today, thats the line out to Burnley direction.

And ... no Mick .. its not me on the station. Naughty!!!!

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Tealeaf, you are a genius! I have just photocopied the photo and held the copy up to the light. I feel it is DEFINATELY the wrong way wrong!!!!! Will have a go at correcting it, but to be honest, not sure how to do it.

Accrington Train station
 

Hi, have done it! Here is the photo, as it should be. Fancy someone printing the photo and not realizing it was the wrong way round! I will certainly be informing the person who lent me the photo. Now its beginning to make more sense!

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Oh you doubters -- ah well -- have been known to be wrong. Here is the photo reversed with rather an odd looking number.
And by the way -- Atarah`s second photo showed a part of the Ticket Clipper`s "sentry" box as you passed from the Booking Hall onto the Platforms. No open stations in those days.

Accrington Train station
 

Oh Tealeaf!!! Its NOT correct, just take a look at the number on the engine!
Oh!!!! Back to the drawing board!!!!

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Don`t know what`s happened to my photo but it was just the same as Atarah`s. Also note the fancy spelling of Accrington across the tracks. No Atarah -- it was the right way the first time.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

I think the original picture is the correct one, but it does not make sense. If you look at the front of steam engine on the piccy above you can see the number plate..numbers reversed! The full number can be read quite clearly on the original photograph posting...the only thing I can suggest is that this is in fact the Paxton street platform & the train is on the wrong side simply because it is taking on water (you can see the fireman on top of the train with the water bowser)

Accrington Train station
 

Oh Bert! Bert! What can I say? How could I ever doubt you!!! A MILLION APOLOGIES!!!!
You were right, and we were wrong!! I will always listen to what you say in future ;)

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We all appear to be writing at the same time.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Yes, Apologies Bert!

Re: Accrington Train station
 

I've had a good shuffti, and I reckon that the first pic is correct and is one of a goods train on the wrong line.

The reson is: that the covered bridge went from just outside the Eagle St., exit-entrance - traversed both tracks and ended on the east bound platform on the Blackburn-Colne line. So when you look at the pic, you'll see the stairs going up to the bridge and splitting two ways- left and right- which means the pic was taken on the middle platforms (so to speak). I distinctly remember, that trains using the Manchester branch line (in the direction of Manchester) always pulled in next to the ticket collectors booth at the entrance-exit which is shown in the second pic with the trolleys on it.

Makes sense to me...but the mists of time can play tricks!

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Definately not the Paxton St Platform which then (as now) served the trains coming from Church and heading for Huncoat. This goods train taking water is at the Platform for the trains which have come down Bash Bank and are heading for Huncoat. However,all sorts of "unusual" movements were carried out as required. It was quite common for a Parcel Train from say Blackburn to pass through the Paxton St (No 6) Platform and carry on onto the Viaduct then reverse into No 2 Platform where the Goods/Parcel Office was situated (that platform is the one of Atarah`s with the Trolleys) and as I mentioned, this was the Platform you came on after having your ticket examined and clipped. Further to this, the darkish area on the left shows the manually operated Indicator Clock and removable information boards which was facing the bottom of the stairs coming down from midway along the covered footbridge. I think we can assume that the loco was desperate for a drink and was crossed over to that position.

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I think I need a drink after this as well...so I assume the photograph was taken on the Eastern Side of the footbridge and the platform shown is one of those that no longer exist? I'm just old enough to remember Accrington station and the fact it was a triangular station (one of only 6 in the country)

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Not sure which is East or West but you are correct to say that Platform no longer exists. Have been having a look at a few photos (books so can`t post) and am almost convinced that if the goods train was coming in from Huncoat, ie:across the viaduct, then I don`t think there was a cross-over point to get where it is. Would be inclined to think it reversed to get to the water tank.
Wonder if there is anyone around with extensive knowledge of the old track layout ?

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No need to grovell Atarah -- I have been known to be wrong --- think it was about 1980.

Accrington Train station - another good talking point here!
 

Just look at this absolute gem of a photograph I have managed to borrow. Who would like to "talk me through this one" please

Re: Accrington Train station
 

With reference to previous postings the Loco is standing at the same Platform but of course facing the "normal" way ie: ready to depart in the Huncoat direction. In the "old days" when going in the Burnley direction you had the choice of Platforms. This one or the one serving trains from Church direction. The central stairs are visible leading to the train in the photo and also two other platforms. The one to the right which took the Church direction trains and behind it was a Bay Platform with stop Buffers. This was used for trains starting at Accrington and going in the Church direction. I used this Platform daily many years ago to go to Bolton on a Manchester train via of course Blackburn.

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Sorry to go off track! sorry couldn't resist that

But Owd-Bert, when will photo quiz B be finished?

Re: Accrington Train station
 

I'm not sure about that Bert...If a train was standing in the direction of Huncoat then the stairs were on its (the trains) left hand side and so was the platform. No train facing the right direction (Man-Burnley / Burnley-Man / Burnley-Blackburn / Blackburn-Burnley)could have the platform on its left hand side! So it must be facing the wrong direction.

Unless it was in a Bay Platform, of which there were 2 in Accy station. One to the left of the Accy-Manchester platform and t'other (as you said) to the left of the Accy - Blackburn platform. However, the stairs were some distance away, so I don't think they are applicable to the piccy.

Just my ramblings as an ex-train spotter of many years.

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Bert is referring to the Piccy immeadiatly above where the engine is on the left with the platform on it's left and is facing the right direction having come from the Manchester direction and is heading towards Burnley...It's standing on the same platform as the train in the first picture, which we know to be facing in the wrong direction.

My guess is that this picture was taken in the early 1900's shortly after the redevelopment of the station (notice there are no soot stains on the bridge immeadiatly above the track)and pictures the full compliment of the station staff (or near to it) at the time, including "Top Hat" and "Fat Controller" to the left of the Piccy. There are 3 tools on the track directly in front of the men to the right of the picture but unfortunatly the clarity is not good enough to make out what they are. Neither can I make out the wording on the sign immeadiatly behind the signal post (NO ROAD possibly)..However, the photograph was taken in Spring/Summer.

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I think there may be a bit of confusion re which photo I was talking about. Anyway the photo with the Station Staff spread across the tracks has been published in "Accrington as it Was" by Brian Ashton and the caption is: "Accrington Station and Staff with the Stationmaster Mr.S.Crossley,who took charge in 1875 and stayed until 1898 when he was transferred to Bolton Station."

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Ooops....I'm not doing to well on dates this morning!

Accrington Train station
 

Hi, I am sure someone once told me that Accrington Station ws quite unique, in that it had a "turntable" - where the trains could be turned around. Could this not account for some of the trains appearing to be in the "wrong direction" - they may have been re-routed? What do you think?

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Well whatever picture we are refering to is imaterial, as all the pictures are v. good, and serve to remind us of just what Accy is all about.

Interesting stuff. I must go and have a look at what's left of the old Accy station next time I'm over.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

I never heard of a turntable at Accy station...there was certainly at least one where the engine sheds and sidings where toweards Lonsdale Street.
However - it was possible to turn trains round at Accy station by virtue of the fact that it was a triangular station (one of only 6 in the country)...so a train coming from Church to Accy, say, would head down the Manchester Line, reverse over & up on the Manchester-Burnley line, then reverse over & down on the Burnley-Accrington line. Train turned round!

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Thetrain is standing on the eastbound platform on the Blackburn - Burnley section. If you look at the top of the picture, a figure 6 can be seen. This platform still exists as the eastbound platform today.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Ive put together a website for accrington station which will include photos of the current station and will also shortly have some older photos. click on link to viewWelcome to Accrington Station - Home

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Wallace potts ( new member) the lower picture is the wrong way around ..not the first one , notice the number on the engine smoke bow ,and the station clock .

Re: Accrington Train station
 

I've looked at the picture, and on the front of the smoke box cover is 9079, I don't think that can be reversed.
The picture does look as if it has lost some of its width.
The ticket office at the old station was in the entrance hall on the right hand side, don't think you could see the trains from there.

Retlaw

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Now Lizzie you've buggered it up, look at the number on the smoke box.

Retlaw

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Must admit, can't understand all this ... however, do remember standing at Platform 6 when I was a child waiting to go to Fleetwood at holiday time.. LOL. The trains came in, in the other direction. Just have memories of the flag work on the platform and seem to be in the correct order, as wittled away the time hopping over them. Strange what you remember .. :D

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Those three tools are the big spanners they used to tighten the bolts on the fish plates, which join the rails together. The joint make the noise diddly de diddly dum as the train psses over the joints.
The fish plates had elongated holes in them, during summer months the lines expanded, if there wasn't a gap the lines would have buckled. The coefficient of linear expansion for steel is .078 per degree fahrenheit x 10 -4, so a 20 yard length of rail line needs a fair gap
Retlaw

There are 3 tools on the track directly in front of the men to the right of the picture but unfortunatly the clarity is not good enough to make out what they are. Neither can I make out the wording on the sign immeadiatly behind the signal post (NO ROAD possibly)..However, the photograph was taken in Spring/Summer.[/quote]

Re: Accrington Train station
 

As a newcomer - can I put in my tuppence-worth on the confusing photo?

The reason why it's causing problems is that it appears to be a most unusual movement - and as one who spent a lot of time at Accrington station in the Fifties and Sixties I can't say I've ever seen the like.

Firstly which hand of the picture is correct. The clue is in the number on the smokebox; and also the platform number. Assuming the train is going forward - ie towards the camera - it's turning to the right - as viewed from its direction of travel.

And that's where the problem is - because it's 'wrong line' - ie facing in the opposite direction to that anticipated. Trains in UK normally run on the left, but this one's on the right. It's standing in the Blackburn - Church - Burnley platform, taking water from the water column that was adjacent to the footbridge, but facing towards Blackburn. There was no water column on the normal platform for Burnley to Blackburn - platform 5 - so it must have reversed on the crossover that about a quarter of the way across the viaduct. Very unusual.

I'm trying to think where the next water column was heading towards Blackburn - probably just before Church station, so they must have run things very low and got desperate.

For completeness: the platforms at Accrington were numbered 1 - 6 from the 'town' side - which is where the booking office used to be.

Plat 1 - bay platform for the Haslingden and Manchester trains.
Plat 2 - thro' platform for Burnley - Haslingden & Manchester trains - also used for parcels trains.
Plat 3 - thro' platform for Manchester & Haslingden - Burnley trains
Plat 4 - bay platform for Blackburn trains
Plat 5 - thro' platform for Burnley - Blackburn trains
Plat 6 - thro' platform for Blackburn - Burnley trains.


I used to catch the 0758 from plat 4 to Blackburn to go to school.
In the 10 mins up to and including that train leaving, all 6 platforms saw departures - and occasionally a parcels train as well.

Your correspondents are correct about the triangular layout at Accrington, which could be used for reversals. But in practice by the late Fifties/early Sixties, there was very little use of the South - west (Baxenden - Blackburn) side of the triangle by longer-distance traffic - though there was a lot of shunting into the goods yard which was in front of Howard & Bullough's


Rgds

45378

Re: Accrington Train station
 

oh gosh *please feel free to insert one of Less's confuddled emotes* :eek:

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Hi 45378, welcome to the site, is it o.k. if we just refer to you by your first name, 4 in future rather than your full name? We don't stand on ceremony here and it makes for easier typing.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=289074

Re: Accrington Train station
 

45378 ? was that not an old "Blinkered" namer?:) seems to ring a bell.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

I reckon 45378 was a Black 5.

Right, I'll get me anorak. :o

Re: Accrington Train station
 

If memory serves you are correct but only 5 of the black 5's were given names and that wasn't one of them.

Don't forget your hi vis jacket you left it on the platform last time.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

I guess you live in congleton cheshire , and go to Crewe quite alot , 4 ??

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Seem to remember that there were about three Black 5s working out of Accy sheds, but none of 'em were namers amd none of 'em were 45378.

PS - if you see the stationmaster before me, could you tell him that if he finds a duffle bag with a tartan thermos flask, some half-eated corned beef butties and an Ian Allan combined volume, it's mine? ;)

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I think they have a Black 5 parked up at Carnforth at the moment

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Good track layout of Accrington Station on Old Maps of Lancashire

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There is already a track layout of Accy Station on another thread. The first ordnance survey map of Accrington was 1846/7. There is a copy in Accy Library.

Retlaw.

Re: Accrington Train station
 

https://railcar.co.uk/images/153
Here's an image guaranteed to produce a warm glow of nostalgia for every boy of the Hornby-Dublo generation.
Taken on Friday 6th May 1960 by D H Dyson, it shows two young schoolboys standing in the Accrington steam maintenance shed, awestruck at the sight before them.
In those long gone days before PlayStation, the only interest for many boys was... a real station!
Back then, every trainspotter clutching his Ian Allen book of locomotives lived in hope of spotting a 'namer'.
Alas, in our industrial backwater dominated by grimy 'black-fives', this proved almost as rare as a win on the Littlewoods Pools.
Imagine the surprise & joy for these two boys when, as the saying goes; 'You wait ages for a bus then two arrive together.
For standing before them are two VIP visitors. The mighty 46100 'Royal Scot' & it's stablemate 46112 'Sherwood Forester'. Both being prepared to work a Blackburn to London football special for the FA Cup Final between Blackburn Rovers & Wolverhampton Wanderers the following day.
Lurking in the background like a cuckoo in the nest, rests a class 113 DMU which all too soon would sound the death-knell for the days of steam & trainspotting.
I wonder who these young lads were & how they managed to gain access to an area of such potential danger?
Elf'n'safety would be apoplectic with rage today - heads would definitely roll!
PS. Wolves beat Rovers 3-0 in the final.
Image by kind permission of railcar.co.uk

Re: Accrington Train station
 

Not had you pegged as a "Spotter" yer Wurshipfullness! :eek: As to the whys & wherefores I would suggest (as was my case) large amounts of "Oktoberfest Bier".


After visiting the "Oktoberfest" kicking out time came round & I shambled along after the crowds heading home, I knew I had to get on the S-Bahn & head generally eastwards, problem being Alcohol & locational awareness were competeing, I found "An S-Bahn" & tried to buy a ticket from a somewhat bemused Germing Chappy in "coveys".


He noticed the accent & Beer induced inane grin, he then politely pointed me away to the station & out of his rather large Rail maintainence workshop. :D