Wakes Week Traffic in the 1960's

[Andy873]

Many mill towns in Lancashire closed down for two weeks in July every year for the annual Wakes week holidays.

Different towns took slightly different dates, for instance Burnley and the surrounding areas took the first two weeks, Blackburn on the other hand took the second two weeks, and I believe Bolton's started the last Saturday in June (but I could be wrong about that).

One particular service for instance was the 8.05am from Blackburn to Scarborough. This one is an interesting one in the fact that not only did it not always start from Blackburn, it's route or path was changed depending on which town was having its Wakes week holiday at the time.

Example: It could start at Blackburn, go south to Bolton then east to Todmorden and onwards. It could start near Burnley and carry on the East Lancs line going via Skipton onwards.

Does anyone have notes as to what train Wakes week holiday services were run during the early 1960's? and when did they fade away?

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[Albaman]

The undernoted Foxline publications may be of assistance to you :-

" Scenes from the Past :23 The railways of Colne, Lancashire " by Stuart Taylor

" Scenes from the Past 26 : Part One
Journeys by Excursion Train from East Lancashire - Part one

Colne, Nelson, Burnley, Accrington & Blackburn " by Stuart Taylor.

I have copy of the first mentioned and there is a great deal of information on excursion trains which started from Colne and served Nelson, Brierfield, Burnley, Rose Grove, Hapton, Accrington, Church and Rishton.

Both books are long out of print but a Google search tonight revealed the bookseller Nick Tozer may be able to assist you, and,perhaps, some other booksellers too.

I have bought several books by Staurt Taylor and they contain lots of detail as well as excellent photos.

I hope this helps you with your research.

 

[Magdalia]

One particular service for instance was the 8.05am from Blackburn to Scarborough. This one is an interesting one in the fact that not only did it not always start from Blackburn, it's route or path was changed depending on which town was having its Wakes week holiday at the time.

Another north western example is 11.10 pm FO Manchester Victoria to Yarmouth, returning at 11.xxam SO Yarmouth to Manchester Victoria. On the face of it Manchester Victoria is the "wrong" Manchester station for going to and from Yarmouth, but in practice the trains usually started/terminated at different places a bit further north or west of Manchester Victoria, depending on the Wakes Weeks calendar.

 

[Andy873]

Both books are long out of print but a Google search tonight revealed the bookseller Nick Tozer may be able to assist you, and,perhaps, some other booksellers too.

Thanks for taking the time to look around for me, much appreciated!

" Scenes from the Past :23 The railways of Colne, Lancashire " by Stuart Taylor

I don't have that one but do have to second one and it's very interesting indeed.

Another north western example is 11.10 pm FO Manchester Victoria to Yarmouth, returning at 11.xxam SO Yarmouth to Manchester Victoria. On the face of it Manchester Victoria is the "wrong" Manchester station for going to and from Yarmouth, but in practice the trains usually started/terminated at different places a bit further north or west of Manchester Victoria, depending on the Wakes Weeks calendar.

An interesting one, yes you would think Victoria would be the wrong station for Yarmouth.

One good read here, written in 1963:

Support The Rochdale Oldham Manchester rail lines group

It seems BR were unable to understand the concept of people taking more than one week's holiday and totally ignored the second week.