The Beeching Cuts and the End of the Accrington Line

The Speaker, Nigel Jepson, began the evening by displaying a map showing the complex web of railway lines which had been built across Lancashire during the nineteenth century.  This immediately aroused interest in the audience of over 30 members and non-members who had come along to learn about our rich railway heritage and to indulge in a little nostalgia.

Nigel focussed on the line that linked Accrington to Clifton Junction, south of Bury and Radcliffe.  The Accrington to Stubbins section was built from 1845 onwards and was opened in 1848.  The line was notorious for its steep gradients, climbing at 1 in 78 for five miles.  At Baxenden Bank an extra engine was needed to haul the train up the 1 in 38 gradient to Baxenden Station from Accrington.

From Baxenden the line continued to Haslingden.  One member shared her memories with us…

“I travelled on this line many times as a child, mainly to Blackpool and the like.  I remember waiting with anticipation on Haslingden station for the train to come out of the tunnel under the little hill (the Hag I think). Also the stops at Baxenden on the way back as they attached and later un-attached a banking engine to get up “Accrington brough”. The engines were steam and seemed very dirty, with a dozen or so carriages, some very old even then! Haslingden station wasn’t near the town centre and was a steep walk downhill via “t’ station steps” and an even steeper drag back up at the end of the day. I’m sure others among us will have similar memories.”

There were several viaducts built along the line.  A nine arch viaduct was constructed at Lumb which now forms part of a walking and cycling route.  The viaduct at Helmshore offers a splendid view of Helmshore Textile Museums as it passes through land owned by the former mill owner.

Soon after Dr Richard Beeching produced his report in1963, “The Reshaping of British Railways”, the line was closed and the stations were gradually demolished.

If you want to know more then I suggest you read Nigel Jepson’s book, “East Lancashire Railways: Survival of the Fittest” which is available at Waterstones, Amazon and other good bookshops.