Thanks so much. I've had a look and it looks like a majority of the trains go via Bolton. Do you know how I can book the trains via Golborne Jn ? Do they run daily/weekly? Thank youNone, if you use one of the handful of trains that run via Golborne Jn and Wigan NW.
One very short on the Atherton route to Wigan, and one longer via Bolton (which is the normal route to Preston and beyond).
As you can see, these trains run in the peak hours. There are also a few trains that run Manchester-Preston nonstop via Wigan - you can identify them because obviously they don't stop at BoltonThere is usually one train an hour via Golborne Jn. The best place to look for these would be to use a site such as RealTimeTrains.

It won't work if you type in 'Golborne Jn' into the calling points field. It needs to be a station where the train physically stops to pick up or drop off passengers, otherwise it will show no results. The best way to do is it to type 'Golborne Jn' into the first 'Location' field and then filter by TOC and time to narrow down the search results.
You can book this as you would book any other ticket. Standard flexible day returns start from £21.90 undiscounted, valid on any train between Manchester and Morecambe via Preston. It will be cheaper if you have a railcard.
Travel via Chorley means using Chorley tunnel, but it's not too long at 124 yards. Also there's Moor Lane Tunnels near Bolton station (77 yards).None, if you use one of the handful of trains that run via Golborne Jn and Wigan NW.
One very short on the Atherton route to Wigan, and one longer via Bolton (which is the normal route to Preston and beyond).
Thanks for thisTravel via Chorley means using Chorley tunnel, but it's not too long at 124 yards. Also there's Moor Lane Tunnels near Bolton station (77 yards).
Travel via Atherton and there's Pendlebury tunnels (201 yards) and Pendleton tunnels (52 yards) both near Swinton station.
Yes.I think I've found the train that avoids all of the tunnels as it goes via Golborne Jn. Is that right?
Thank you for this it is really good to know.Yes.
The only other train I can see tomorrow is at 0926 from Preston, and I don't think you can make that from LAN.
Be aware that if the service is disrupted it MAY be diverted via Bolton and that won't be announced.
There is a very short one after Buckshaw Parkway and the main one is after Bolton - but the train won't stop there if it is diverted.Thank you for this it is really good to know.
Is the tunnel before or after Bolton? If I got off the train before/after I should e able to avoid the tunnels?
As was mentioned upthread, the tunnel between Buckshaw Parkway and Chorley is 'Chorley tunnel', which is only 124 yards. The one approaching Bolton station, i.e. 'Moor Lane tunnels' is even shorter at just 77 yards.Thank you for this it is really good to know.
Is the tunnel before or after Bolton?