duffield
Established Member
Here's my first attempt at a trip report for a visit to the Colne branch. I hope the format is OK. Times are rounded to the minute and maybe a little inconsistent.
| Leg | From | Dep. WTT | Dep. Real | To | Arr. WTT | Arr. Real | Distance | ID | Oper | Origin | Destination | Class | Car. | Loading | Ref. |
| 1 | Nottingham | 0753 | 0753 | Derby | 0822 | 0821-1 | 16m0c | 2A12 | EMR | Newark Castle | Matlock | 170 | 2 | Moderate | |
| 2 | Derby | 0828 | 0828 | Tamworth (HL) | 0847 | 0847 | 23m72c | 1V46 | XC | York | Plymouth | 220/221 | 4+4 | Empty in 1st | |
| 3 | Tamworth (LL) | 0911 | 0911 | Stafford | 0934 | 0933-1 | 24m37c | 1U25 | WMR | London Euston | Crewe | 350 | 4+4 | Light to moderate | |
| 4 | Stafford | 0947 | 0953+6 | Preston | 1051 | 1054+3 | 75m37c | 9P47 | AWC | London Euston | Blackpool North | 390 | 9 | Light in 1st | *1 |
| 5 | Preston | 1124 | 1124 | Colne | 1233 | 1232+1 | 29m10c | 2N16 | NT | Preston | Colne | 156 | 2 | Light to moderate | *2 |
| 6 | Colne | 1352 | 1352 | Blackburn | 1436 | 1435-1 | 16m79c | 2N88 | NT | Colne | Preston | 150 | 2 | Light | *3 |
| 7 | Blackburn | 1448 | 1448 | Salford Crescent | 1530 | 1530 | 22m6c | 2J27 | NT | Clithero | Rochdale | 156/150 | 2+2 | Moderate | *4 |
| 8 | Salford Crescent | 1534 | 1534 | Manchester Piccadilly | 1545 | 1534 | 2m29c | 1Y69 | NT | Blackpool North | Manchester Airport | 331 | 3 | Nearly full (a few seats) | |
| 9 | Manchester Piccadilly | 1555 | 1555 | Stafford | 1650 | 1648-2 | 55m27c | 1A59 | AWC | Manchester Piccadilly | London Euston | 390 | 9 | Light in 1st | |
| 10 | Stafford | 1700 | 1701+1 | Birmingham New Street | 1733 | 1738+5 | 28m15c | 1V63 | XC | Manchester Piccadilly | Bristol Temple Meads | 220 | 4 | Medium in 1st | |
| 11 | Birmingham New Street | 1749 | 1750+1 | Nottingham | 1906 | 1906 | 57m20c | 1M73 | XC | Cardiff Central | Nottingham | 170 | 3 | Full and standing to Tamworth | |
| ALL | Nottingham | 0753 | 0753 | Nottingham | 1906 | 1906 | 351m12c | Fine apart from final leg |
*1: Preston station car park has access to the dismantled former railway to the current Bamber Bridge station, via Preston Junction (nature reserve, former station) and Avenham Park (very near Preston Station). Walk is 3 miles minimum but there are at least three possible diversions - nature reserve, Avenham park and Ribble bank walks. Probably best to start at Bamber Bridge (given it’s the less scenic bit and only 1tph each way) and end at Preston. From the old railway bridge, the park look attractive.
*2: Preston to Colne railway - scenic ride, especially on a sunny day. Jointed track on Colne branch and bits elsewhere. Some good viaducts.
*3: Colne: Walk to the reservoir and around it possible in 1hr 20 mins (to fit with train times) when the reservoir path is completed (under construction). Just north of the existing station and across the main road is the overgrown site of the large former station yard. Disused railway north from here may be mostly walkable towards Foulridge and Skipton, though not a public footpath and will require some diversions. Note Colne station has very minimal facilities, in particular no toilets, and there are no nearby supermarkets for toilets or food.
*4: Blackburn to Bolton railway has some good scenic bits including a long viaduct.
*2: Preston to Colne railway - scenic ride, especially on a sunny day. Jointed track on Colne branch and bits elsewhere. Some good viaducts.
*3: Colne: Walk to the reservoir and around it possible in 1hr 20 mins (to fit with train times) when the reservoir path is completed (under construction). Just north of the existing station and across the main road is the overgrown site of the large former station yard. Disused railway north from here may be mostly walkable towards Foulridge and Skipton, though not a public footpath and will require some diversions. Note Colne station has very minimal facilities, in particular no toilets, and there are no nearby supermarkets for toilets or food.
*4: Blackburn to Bolton railway has some good scenic bits including a long viaduct.
