1. Trip to St. Helens-AM

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2018 > 22. Trip to Liverpool-08-11.04.18 > 4. Trip to St. Helens & journey back-11.04.18 (Wed) > 1. Trip to St. Helens-AM
On Monday I was forced to come back from Preston via the Wigan and St. Helens line on a class 319 due to a train cancellation. On passing through St. Helens I spotted the signal box still in use and a random home starter signal post sticking out the trees just past the station. So, while my wife and son were getting themselves ready I nipped back to St. Helens to get a couple of pictures.
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Images 1-12 of 12 displayed.

319386, NT 08.31 Preston-Liverpool Lime Street (1F06, 2E), Liverpool Lime Street station Having arrived at Lime Street station Northern 319386 waits at the stops with the 1F06 08.31 from Preston. Keywords: 319386 1F06 Liverpool Lime Street station
319369, NT 09.32-Liverpool Lime Street-Wigan North Western (02F66, RT), St The tail end of 319369 leaves St. Helens central station having forming the 09.32 Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western. I had travelled on this train from Liverpool, a journey of bout twenty minutes. Notice the shunting ground signals just next to the rear of the 319 unit. Keywords: 319369 02F66 St. Helens Central station
319382, NT 09.30 Preston-Liverpool South Parkway (1F07, 2L), St St. Helens Central station was rebuilt and eventually reopened in 2007. The electrification arrived in 2015 and the 319 units followed immediately. Quite why the station is called 'Central' I do not know. There is only one station in St. Helens so why this has such a grandiose name is a mystery! Here, 319382 leaves working the 09.30 from Preston to Liverpool South Parkway. Keywords: 319382 1F07 St. Helens Central station
St. Helens Station Signal Box (LNWR, 1891) Despite having had the Network Rail 'window and cladding' treatment, the basic framework of the 1891 LNWR signal box remains intact at St. Helens. This used to be a busy box as there was a number of nearby junctions and an extensive yard both in front and behind the box under what is now an area of trees. On a line that has been extensively updated in recent years I find it amazing that there still remains the odd throw back to the Victorian Railway (but I'm not complaining!). Keywords: St. Helens Station Signal Box (LNWR, 1891)
Home signal, former St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, St A short distance from the station I spotted this signal post and arm hidden in the trees. A brief walk got me to it and little research found that it was at the junction of the former line that linked St. Helens to St. Helens Junction on the Chat Moss line. This now overgrown section of track was last used in the mid 2000s in connection with the bitumen factory at Baxters Lane in Sutton. I wonder if the signal could be pulled off still?
Foot crossing, former St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, St The track of the former fright only line from St. Helens to Sutton Oak Junction that has not carried any traffic since the mid 2000s. Most of the infrastructure remains but it is completely overgrown. Keywords: Foot crossing St. Helens SJ515950
Foot crossing, former St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, St The foot crossing over the route of the former St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway that linked St. Helens to the Chat Moss line at Sutton Oak Junction. The entrance to Vera Page Park can be seen in the background as can the redundant signal post complete with home arm hidden in the trees on the left. Keywords: Foot crossing St. Helens SJ515950
319383, NT 10.03 Wigan North Western-Liverpool LS (2C15, 3L), St 319383 arrives into St. Helens Central past the Station signal box with the 2C15 10.03 Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street working. I travelled on this train back to Liverpool. Keywords: 319383 2C15, 3L St. Helens Central Station
Rear cab, 319383, NT 10.03 Wigan North Western-Liverpool Lime Street (2C15, 3L), St The conductor left the crew's door open at the back of 319383 thus enabling a quick and unusual picture taken out of the back of the train. The train is just leaving St. Helens Central station and its two shunting disk signals can be seen. Keywords: Rear cab 319383 2C15 St. Helens Central Station
Rear cab, 319383, NT 10.03 Wigan North Western-Liverpool Lime Street (2C15, 3L), St Another shot of the rear cab of 319893 as it leaves St. Helens Central station working the 10.03 from Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street. Keywords: Rear cab 319383 2C15 St. Helens Central station.
150121, NT 09.44 Manchester Oxford Road-Liverpool Lime Street (2O77, 5L), Liverpool Lime Street station Former First Great Western unit, 150121 arrives into Liverpool Lime Street with the 2O77 09.44 from Manchester Oxford Road. The remodelling of Lime Street station is much in evidence on the right hand side of this picture. Keywords: 150121 2O77 Liverpool Lime Street station
Tickets, Liverpool LS-St. Helens Central-Liverpool LS My return tickets from Liverpool Lime Street to St. Helens Central. I was out and back in in one and a half hours and the wife was still not ready for breakfast!

Images 1-12 of 12 displayed.