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Yes John, you're right, and things did indeed change quickly. I forgot about the original power station at Padiham, station A. It had been there since the 1920s or so, but by now it was literally worn out and closed February 1969. Did BR know this station was closing? in a word Yes. One...

Thanks everyone for that, with your help I'm now able to complete my list of BR departments / offices that were involved with closing a branch line.

Many a true word said in jest! This must have happened all over the place, and it certainly happened on the Gt. Harwood loop. John, depends on how long you measure short lived. The decision to single the line and close Padiham box was taken at the end of April 1968, and the box closed end of...

I've managed to sort out seven BR department abbreviations but I'm stuck on these, can any one help please? D.C.E. - Divisional Civil Engineer? Divisional Chief Engineer? P.R. & P.O. - Public Relations and Publicity Office? Both are based in Preston. Thanks, Andy.

@Rescars Good one! :D - Also, a toilet basin from the Ladies waiting room to the signal box cubical - Bet that was a relief!;)

Thanks everyone for your comments. I decided to look at these documents again, and I realised there's quite a few other things missing such as letters from one department informing when this (some work) will commence from etc. Also, included in these documents are BR works order numbers and all...

Possibly, but everything else seems to be included. And this is my feeling too! In one of these letters dated 3 February 1965, the manager of Head Office of the LM Region (Euston) writes to the C.C.E. in Manchester (Chief Civil Engineer's Dept) informing them of five lines ready for disposal...

Apart from one letter which has the company name (for the removal of one bridge), which by the way someone has scribbled out, there are no company names regarding who removed the track, ballast, and bridges on the Gt. Harwood section of the loop line - Why? and why has someone scribbled out...

Yes, this is what I thought, and I find it very strange that I can find no record of any such ceremony for the loop line, maybe there wasn't one? I have found all sorts of things over the years about the construction but no hint of a ceremony, the local board holding any lunch or dinner to...

How common was having a ceremony for digging the first sod of earth for a new railway construction in the Victorian era? was this mainly for larger builds or did this kind of thing happen also for new branch lines? I'm specifically looking at the L&Y here.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Nope, no idea where we might find some of these, but if you do ever get an L&Y one please let me know. Most of the wrought iron bridges appear to have had a raised central girder which ties were connected to. These were U shaped used to strengthen the bridges...

That's a very good point you make here. What I can tell you is that I've seen quite a few of the original contract drawings for the loop line bridges and none have a bridge number assigned them in the drawings. Only things like: One other drawing shows the design for an occupation stone arch...

Attached is my list of bridges for the North Lancashire loop line. This list has taken several years to compile because I wanted to record as many of the original bridge names as possible, also a problem was when was a culvert just a culvert or when was one classed as a bridge - Not as easy as...

All I can say is they look to have been around five feet maximum above ground level if less. If you watch this video around from around the 17 minute point, you'll see the first cattle creep bridge, then a stone bridge and finally the second cattle creep one: YouTube - A walk along the North...

Something I've been meaning to ask for some time now - Cattle creep bridges. There were two cast iron (CI for short) bridges on the North Lancs loop, bridges No. 44 and 42, called Webster's No. 1 and Webster's No. 2. These only had a nine foot span but what is puzzling me is these two bridges...

Yes, I found this out after my first order from them, two engineering drawings regarding Padiham station. When I asked could I re-use / let other people have copies, this reply was NO, and they explained about the image copyright. Interesting to know you were a public servant, you must have...

I have now read all 88 copies of letters covering the closure of the main section of the Gt. Harwood loop line, also known as the Padiham branch. Before I begin, I would ask everyone reading this especially the moderators if you all would cut me a little slack on this, I won't be quoting what...

Thanks for that, but there is a distinction I have been told about by the National Archives. Whilst the original letters may well be out of copyright, the new images of the letters I have (done by the NA) are not. Once they passed them onto me, the 50 year clock starts ticking again. I would...

Thanks for that. I decided to get advice via live chat from the National Archives themselves. It seems that as long as I keep it general, that is, the rough gist of the letters, and include a link to the Open Government Licence then that should be okay. Thinking time required!

Two days ago I received a copy of no less than 88 letters covering the closure of the Gt. Harwood - Padiham section of the loop line. They make fascinating reading with a couple of surprises too! These letters are covered by Crown Copyright so I don't think I can quote them directly but I'm...