West Lancs line 50 years since closure

[Lankyline]

With 2014 comes the 50th anniversary of the real start of the closures outlined in the Beeching report, on the 6th September 1964 the last passenger service ran on the Preston to Southport line, known as the West Lancshire Line, "Lankyline" or even the "Potato line"

This was my local line and one that with the benefit of hindsight (how many lines can that be said about) should never have been closed. For those of you that don't know it, the line was double tracked, serving not only Preston & Southport and over 10 stations in between, but connected also to East Lancashire and beyond for "wakes weeks holiday" traffic & regular services as well.

Now the boom in the last 30 years of housing, increase in business, commuter traffic etc etc only highlights the short sighted decision to close the line. Due to development by road & housing it will never be reopened.

The following link will give you some idea of how the line looked not long before closure, detailing the individual stations and the motive power that was used.

http://www.prestonstation.org.uk/TrainsToSouthport_WLR.html

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

This is the same line that passes through Hundred End and is now served by a number 2 bus service along most of its former route ?

On the Tarleton branch line, there was an intermediate halt called Boat Yard Crossing Halt.

 

[martynbristow]

With 2014 comes the 50th anniversary of the real start of the closures outlined in the Beeching report, on the 6th September 1964 the last passenger service ran on the Preston to Southport line, known as the West Lancshire Line, "Lankyline" or even the "Potato line"

This was my local line and one that with the benefit of hindsight (how many lines can that be said about) should never have been closed. For those of you that don't know it, the line was double tracked, serving not only Preston & Southport and over 10 stations in between, but connected also to East Lancashire and beyond for "wakes weeks holiday" traffic & regular services as well.

Now the boom in the last 30 years of housing, increase in business, commuter traffic etc etc only highlights the short sighted decision to close the line. Due to development by road & housing it will never be reopened.

The following link will give you some idea of how the line looked not long before closure, detailing the individual stations and the motive power that was used.

http://www.prestonstation.org.uk/TrainsToSouthport_WLR.html

Although IF the link had been kept would this have hindered or helped any development?
Its interesting looking back thinking how things could have been :/

 

[Lankyline]

This is the same line that passes through Hundred End and is now served by a number 2 bus service along most of its former route ?

On the Tarleton branch line, there was an intermediate halt called Boat Yard Crossing Halt.

That's right, Hundred end was a small halt near Crossens, not sure if no 2 service still goes through there, as I thought it was direct these days.
I've not heard of the boat crossing halt before, I do know that a small branch ran to the brickyard, which I believe is now the home of West lancs narrow gauge track.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Although IF the link had been kept would this have hindered or helped any development?
Its interesting looking back thinking how things could have been :/

I think it could only have helped development as it would have improved the transport infrastructure along the route, given how the villages of Tarleton, Longton, Penwortham, Crossens etc have grown. Plus the A59 has a number of "choke" points along the route, which still haven't been fully addressed after 30 years of discussion!

The only rail option to connect Southport is the reinstatement of the Burscough curves, but this doesn't likely at the present time, despite local campaigning.

 

[martynbristow]

That's right, Hundred end was a small halt near Crossens, not sure if no 2 service still goes through there, as I thought it was direct these days.
I've not heard of the boat crossing halt before, I do know that a small branch ran to the brickyard, which I believe is now the home of West lancs narrow gauge track.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I think it could only have helped development as it would have improved the transport infrastructure along the route, given how the villages of Tarleton, Longton, Penwortham, Crossens etc have grown. Plus the A59 has a number of "choke" points along the route, which still haven't been fully addressed after 30 years of discussion!

The only rail option to connect Southport is the reinstatement of the Burscough curves, but this doesn't likely at the present time, despite local campaigning.

The burs cough curves are really needed to help boast the area. We have too much a focus on road still. I don't even know why they can't just get it opened. Everytime they want to some improvements it turns into a huge expensive infrastructure programme. Open the curves, see if its successful then upgrade the preston line and all sorted. Or is that too logical

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

That's right, Hundred End was a small halt near Crossens, not sure if no 2 service still goes through there, as I thought it was direct these days.

The current Stagecoach in Lancashire service 2 still runs to an hourly service in the main part of the day through Hundred End, which is quite a desolate area.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I've not heard of the Boat Yard Crossing Halt before, I do know that a small branch ran to the brickyard, which I believe is now the home of West lancs narrow gauge track.

Perhaps as being the instigator of the Closed Stations Journey Quiz on the Quizzes and Games Forum sees me at somewhat of an advantage. Boat Yard Crossing Halt was a very short lived halt on the Tarleton branch line, opening on 3rd January 1912 and closing on 1st October 1913. Modern housing now occupies the site.