Knott End Railway Station

[umontu]

Using wikipedia, yes I should know better, I've discovered there was a railway line from Garstang to Knott End, this is off what is now the Wcml north of Preston.

Looking at the wiki page it appears to have been run by morons, having only one loco on a single track the whole way, it's hardly supprising that after a year the loco broke down and they ran into dept.
Following grouping the LMS appears to have shut them down quickly in 1930.

The references are dead on their page however, so does anyone know anything more about this line? Pictures? Anything?

I'm a local and I didn't even know it had existed! I don't think much is left but I'd like to have a look.

 

[seagull]

A few modern photos of old locations along the route here:

http://www.railbrit.co.uk/location.php?loc=Garstang%20and%20Knott%20End%20Railway

A little more info:

http://www.steamindex.com/locotype/minorrly.htm#garstang

Two locos pics:

http://www.heritage-images.com/Preview/PreviewPage.aspx?id=2333560&licenseType=RM&from=search&back=2333560&orntn=2

 

[driver9000]

The line was built at the time of the railway boom, when road transport was still by horse and cart. To say it was run by morons is a bit harsh when you take into consideration the number of railways built in the same period that had relatively short (and indeed shorter) operational lives.

The line was closed to passenger traffic in 1930, having carried very few passengers anyway as it was predominately always a goods line for the local farming community. The line remained open to goods traffic for around another 25 years or so providing a means for the farmers to get their produce to market before lorries started to make an impact on the railways revenue. You can still trace the route of the line on Google maps and most of it looks walkable if you were so inclined. The A6 road goes over the old railway formation at Garstang from which can be seen an old level crossing keepers cottage.

The saddle tank loco plinthed at The Elletson Arms in Stakepool is not an original G&KER engine, I believe it is ex National Coal Board.

 

[umontu]

Thanks both. May walk it one day.

In retrospect the "Moron" part was a bit harsh, might have been my mood.

 

[Whistler40145]

seagull, very grateful for the Photo links.

I am a born & bed Blackpool man & it's interesting to learn more of your local area and old Railways.

 

[flymo]

The timetable on this line from the Bradshaws 1922. This was Mon - Sat only

 

[umontu]

Wow thanks Flymo!

 

[flymo]

No worries, any excuse to get the old timetables out...

If I'd thought about it before I would have included the mileages, but anyway here they are, measured from Garstang & Cattersall:

Garstang - 2 miles; Nateby - 4 miles; Pilling - 7 miles; Preesall - 10 miles and Knott End 11½ miles. The other stations don't have the mileages stated.

 

[umontu]

Might try cycling it some time soon, pity there's not much left.

 

[lancastrian]

It was cut back from Knott End to Pilling in the 1940's, I think. The goods service was known locally as the Pilling Pug. The services used to run into Garstang & Catterall station on the WCML. This itself was closed about 1968.

I have walked, some of the line many years ago, in the 60's after it was fully closed, some ot the track was still in place, and the station at Garstang Town could still be seen in its full glory. The track there was still down. i really wish that I had taken some pictures. My cousin lived in the Windmarleigh/Nateby area and I actually walked over the old bridge over the canal at Nateby. Today the H&S gits would have a appoplexy.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It was cut back from Knott End to Pilling in the 1940's, I think. The goods service was known locally as the Pilling Pug. The services used to run into Garstang & Catterall station on the WCML. This itself was closed about 1968.

I have walked, some of the line many years ago, in the 60's after it was fully closed, some ot the track was still in place, and the station at Garstang Town could still be seen in its full glory. The track there was still down. i really wish that I had taken some pictures. My cousin lived in the Windmarleigh/Nateby area and I actually walked over the old bridge over the canal at Nateby. Today the H&S gits would have a appoplexy.

I thought it was called "The Pilling Pig".