2. The north west and Merseyside-27.07.13

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2013 > 42. The Borders, Cumbria & North Merseyside-25 & 26.07.13 > 2. The north west and Merseyside-27.07.13

The second day of our two-day trip to Cumbria and the northwest dawned bright and sunny in Lancaster. We briefly partially retraced our steps back towards Cumbria but still missed out some stations so Andy vowed that he would return to cop them in the not-too-distant future. We then headed towards home via the Fylde coast and the very northern part of Merseyside. A great couple of days away with Andy with an awful lot accomplished.

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Images 1-47 of 47 displayed.

37668 & 33030, stored & stabled, Carnforth WCR
The view from Carnforth station into the vast yard owned by West Coast railways reveals much of their stock in various states of disrepair. To the left a decrepit-looking 37668 looks as though it may have a future as a source of spares rather than working on the mainline. Nearer the camera, despite its tatty looks, 33030 is mainline registered and has seen regular work for DRS hauling nuclear waste trains to and from Sellafield.
Keywords: 37668 33030 stored stabled Carnforth WCR DRS EWS

47500, awaiting its fate, Carnforth WCR
A sad sight in WCR's yard at Carnforth sees former GWR 150 celebrity locomotive 47500 (previously named 'Great Western') awaiting its fate. In January last year (2012), it caught fire after derailing at Ordsall in Manchester whilst being towed at the rear of an empty stock working. Given the damage seen here, I suspect that the locomotive will be cannibalised for spares and then cut up on site.
Keywords: 47500, awaiting its fate, Carnforth WCR West Coast Railways

47500, general view, Carnforth WCR
A wide-angled view of the former Steamtown yard now owned and operated by West Coast Railways at Carnforth. The scene is dominated by the huge mechanical coaling stage and the smaller ash plant behind. Both of these concrete structures are listed by Historic England so their future is assured. In the foreground sandwiched between various stock is the fire-damaged 47500. Unlike the coaling stage and ash plant, which are Grade 2 listed, I suspect that the Class 47 has a bleak future and a meeting with the scrap man!
Keywords: 47500 Carnforth WCR West Coast Railways

390121, VT 05.39 London Euston-Glasgow Central, Carnforth station
390121 passes Carnforth at speed working Virgin Trains' 05.39 Euston to Glasgow Central service. Unfortunately, a bit of a 'grab shot' with the sun on the wrong side of the train.
Keywords: 390121 05.39 London Euston-Glasgow Central Carnforth station Virgin West Coast Pendolino Virgin Dream

Carnforth Station Junction signal box (Furness, 1902)
Taken from the platform end at Carnforth, Station Junction signal box is seen. The box was built by Furness Railway Company and is to their Type 4 design opening in 1902 replacing the amazing stone built gothic style box on the platform end. It is interesting that since 2006 when the intermediate boxes were shut that the box controls a huge block section all the way across the eastern side of the Dales as far as Settle Junction.
Keywords: Carnforth Station Junction signal box Furness, 1902

Former Carnforth Station Junction signal box (Furness, 1892)
The superb Carnforth Station Junction signal box which has been disused since 1902 having had a very short working life. It was designed by the architecture practice Austin and Paley of Lancashire who were responsible for many other Furness Railway structures. Quite why the design for this box was so unusual remains a mystery. Buly of York stone it remains on the platform end and is Grade 2 listed. I hope that some better use can be made of the box in the future rather than it just standing empty. Wouldn't it make a great meeting place and café for enthusiasts?
Keywords: Former Carnforth Station Junction signal box Furness 1892

153301, 06.00 Maryport-Lancaster, Carnforth station
153301 arrives at Carnforth station working the 06.00 Maryport to Lancaster Northern service. The former Furness Carnforth Station Junction signal box can be seen above the rear of the train.
Keywords: 153301 06.00 Maryport-Lancaster Carnforth station

156452, NT 08.38 Preston-Carlisle, Arnside station
Andy and I arrived on to Arnside's down platform as the 08.38 Preston to Carlise Northern service was just departing. This is the reason why the rear of 156452 is partially obscured by the trespass sign. I did at least manage to capture the superbly situated Furness Railway Type 4 signal box dating from 1897 the Kent Estuary in the background. There is talk that this box is to join many others on this line and become a listed structure by Historic England. This will create another headache for Network Rail as to what to do with it when its use as a signal box coes to end that should be in the not to distant future.
Keywords: 156452 08.38 Preston-Carlisle Arnside station Northern

Arnside down starter & signal box (Furness, 1897)
The 1897 Arnside signal box is seen along with the up home and down starter signals. Just around the curve to the left the Cumbrian Cast line strikes out west crossing the estuary on Kent Viaduct that is also referred to as Arnside Viaduct. This is a structure that needs constant attention and repairs. Two years ago in 2011 it was closed for sixteen weeks whilst much work was undertaken including upgrading the rails to continuous jointed track thus enabling an increase in the line speed and causing less wear to the structure.
Keywords: Arnside down starter & signal box (Furness, 1897)

Andy, Arnside station
With the sun out and the Lake District in the background, it would have been great to stay on Arnside station a little longer but Andy and I were on a mission to get the boxes and station missed yesterday afternoon. Andy walks purposely along the platform and back to the car. After a short discussion, we decided not to head west towards Grange-over-Sands given the time it would take to drive all the way around the Kent Estuarry and then to return again so we decided to commence our journey south towards home. The missed stations and boxes would have to wait for another time.

NB We did eventually return in 2018, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/C299765204/x3-to-stranraer-lakes-26-07-18
Keywords: Andy Arnside station

Arnside down starter & signal box (Furness, 1897)
The 1897 Furness signal box at Arnside is tricky to get a decent photograph of. This image is captured from Station Road standing on the retaining wall to gain a little extra height. I first photographed the box during my 1985 visit and took a very similar image then. When I have scanned and processed it, I will put a link here.
Keywords: Arnside down starter signal box Furness

390103, VT 07.30 London Euston-Glasgow Central, Hest Bank level crossing
39013 'Virgin Hero' passes Hest Bank at line speed working Vrgin's 07.30 Euston to Glasgow Central service. The buildings and seafront on Morecambes promenade can be seen to the right of the image.
Keywords: 390113 07.30 London Euston-Glasgow Central Hest Bank level crossing Virgin Hero

Hest Bank level crossing frame signal box (BR(LMR), 1958)
Hest Bank signal box is an interesting and surprising survivor. It is open purely to control the level crossing where the small dead-end road, known locally as The Shore crosses the line. The box was opened in 1958 to London Midland's standard design of the time. I cannot believe that it has a long future ahead of it with automation almost certainly not far away!
Keywords: Hest Bank level crossing frame signal box

153363, NT 10.04 Lancaster-Morecambe, Bare Lane station
Bare Lane is a small station in a district of Morecambe served by local Northern Trains. 153363 is seen pausing at the station working the 10.04 Lancaster to Morecambe shuttle service. I cannot help but feel that the passenger easing the buggy off the train shares a passing resemblance to one of the Gallagher brothers; thoughts, please!
Keywords: 153363 10.04 Lancaster-Morecambe Bare Lane station Northern

153363, NT 10.04 Lancaster-Morecambe, Bare Lane station
153263 departs from Bare Lane station, passing the 1937 LMS box, working the 10.04 Lancaster to Morecambe Northern service. The 'signalman' observes the passage of the train as it crosses the busy level crossing. However, when I say signalman he is in point of fact an employee of Northern Trains who is standing in as a station announcer and observer of goings on. The box was shut on 08.12.12 following a new crossing being installed with control passing to Preston PSB. Notice that the train appears to be running wrong line. This is because the two parallel bi-directional tracks are operated from Morecambe South Junction as 'long sidings'. The one to the right to Morecambe and the one to the left is freight only to Heysham for access to the nuclear power station.
Keywords: 153363 10.04 Lancaster-Morecambe Bare Lane station Northern

Bare Lane signal box (LMS, 1937)
Bare Lane signal box was opened by the LMS in 1937 being to a rare (today with few surviving) 11C design. The box shut six months ago in December 2012 and has had its innards largely removed now operated by staff from Northern. Trains. This strange turn of events has been caused by a delay in the design and installation of illuminated passenger information screens and audio with the signal box now serving in the interim as an impromptu platform announcement cabin to serve the travelling public. It is likely that this situation will continue until the end of this year with demolition of the structure due sometime next year.

PS Demolition took place in January 2014, there is a Youtube video link here.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6z9YXGEnFU
Keywords: Bare Lane signal box LMS, 1937

153363, NT 10.34 Morecambe-Lancaster, Morecambe station
The 10.34 Morecambe to Lancaster service worked by 153363 waits to depart from Morecambe station on a sunny summer's morning. Since my last visit way back in 1985 the station has moved from its original location some distance beyond the rear of the train to this single platform affair with very limited facilities. Gone are the days of large numbers of summer specials arriving at this popular resort town with the stock being stabled in the vast area of carriage sidings that once occupied this spot and the adjacent Morrisons supermarket.
Keywords: 153363 10.34 Morecambe-Lancaster Morecambe station Northern Traina

Poulton No.3 signal box (L&Y, 1896)
Framed by the bridge that carries Breck Road over the railway in front of the station Poulton No. 3 signal box is seen. The line to its left heads onwards to Blackpool North whilst the line to the right, even though it looks to be in use, is in fact the closed branch to Fleetwood. There are frequent plans put forward to re-open this line possibly as some sort of light transit system. The box is a superb Lancashire and Yorkshire standard design that was opened in 1896. It has a substantial seventy-four lever frame installed but I believe that just nine remain in use today. When the plans to electrfy the line to Blackpool from Preston the route will also be re-signalled bringing an end to the mechanical signalling; get your pictures while you can.

NB The box was to close on 11.11.17 and was demolished on 20/21.02.18
Keywords: Poulton No.3 signal box L&Y Lancashire and Yorkshire

Poulton-le-Fylde station
What a lovely sight Poulton-le-Fylde station is! Complete with a superb twin doll bracket signal in the background, the platforms are a riot of colour thanks to the friends of the station. Also, notice the hanging baskets that run the length of the awnings. I cannot help but feel that when the electrification masts and wires arrive at Poulton station in the coming few years the atmosphere of the station will be spoilt somewhat.
Keywords: Poulton-le-Fylde station

185151, TP 10.29 Manchester Airport-Blackpool North, Poulton-le-Fylde station
Horribly back lit the 10.29 Manchester Airport to Blackpool North arrives at Poulton-le-Fylde station worked by TPE's 185151. Note the neatly manicured grass and planters hanging from the fence on the platform end thanks to the friends of the station and sponsored by a local nursery,
Keywords: 185151 10.29 Manchester Airport-Blackpool North Poulton-le-Fylde station TPE Trans Pennine Express

185151, TP 10.29 Manchester Airport-Blackpool North, Poulton-le-Fylde station
The guard of the 10.29 Manchester Airport to Blackpool TPE service peers along the length of the train ready to give the driver the RA from Poulton-le-Fylde with the down home signal already pulled off. Notice the huge border of geraniums to the right and the super display of hanging baskets under the awning. 185151 has just about ten minutes to go and no further scheduled stops before arriving at its destination.
Keywords: 185151 10.29 Manchester Airport-Blackpool North Poulton-le-Fylde station TE Trans Pennine Express

185151, TP 10.29 Manchester Airport-Blackpool North, Poulton-le-Fylde station
With the down home bracket signal making a fine sight against the azure blue sky at Poulton-le-Fylde station 185151 has just departed with the 10.29 Manchester Airport to Blackpool service. The L&Y 1896 signal box can be seen in the distance. The right-hand submissive doll holds the down home signal for the Fleetwodd branch that peels off to the right after the bridge. This branch has not seen any traffic for many years despite regular calls for the mothballed route to be re-opened.
Keywords: 185151 10.29 Manchester Airport-Blackpool North Poulton-le-Fylde station TE Trans Pennine Express

Frontage, Poulton-le-Fylde station
The frontage of Poulton-le-Fylde station is seen with Andy studying something interesting! The delightful station is at street level with the lines passing underneath and was opened in 1896 replacing an earlier station on a different alignment a short distance away.
Keywords: Frontage Poulton-le-Fylde station

Carleton Crossing signal box (LNW, 1924)
The small but perfectly formed LNWR box at Careton Crossing in the suburbs of Blackpool. The Type 5 box was built in 1924 replacing a 1912 built L&Y standard design signal box located diagonally across the level crossing behind where I am standing. When the line into Blackpool is electrified in the next year or two this box will close along wth all the others on the short seventeen-mile section of track from Preston.
Keywords: Carleton Crossing signal box LNWR

142055, NT 13.44 Blackpool South-Colne, Kirkham SD418327
Having just joined from the south 142055 works the 13.44 Blackpool South to Colne service on the approach to Kirkham and Wesham station. The four tracks make for an imposing sight suggesting a lot of traffic and fast express services. Sadly, this is not the case with largely local services to and from Blackpool stations with the odd faster services thrown in operated by TPE and Virgin West Coast.
Keywords: 142055 13.44 Blackpool South-Colne Kirkham SD4183277 Northern Pacer

142055, NT 13.44 Blackpool South-Colne & 142049, 12.50 Colne-Blackpool South, Kirkham SD418327
A pair of Pacers pass just west of Kirkham and Wesham station the roof of which can just be seen. To the left Northern's 13.44 Blackpool South to Colne is being worked by 142055 whilst 142049 works the 12.50 Colne to Blackpool South. I was pleased that I made the decision to pop my trusty steps in Andy's car before we left yesterday as without them this photograph (and the previous one for that matter) would have been impossible because of the tall fence just visible to the extreme right of the shot.
Keywords: 142055 13.44 Blackpool South-Colne 142049 12.50 Colne-Blackpool South Kirkham SD418327

150137, NT 13.22 Manchester Victoria-Blackpool North, Kirkham & Wesham station
With the overgrown and fenced-off platform end at Kirkham and Wesham in view, the 13.22 Manchester Victoria to Blackpool North Northern service arrives worked by 150137. With the electrification now approved for this route this scene will change dramatically over the coming few years with extensive re-modelling of the station planned.
Keywords: 150137 13.22 Manchester Victoria-Blackpool North Kirkham & Wesham station

Andy & 150137, NT 13.22 Manchester Victoria-Blackpool North, Kirkham & Wesham station
Andy focuses his camera on the rear of 150137 as waits at Kirkham and Wesham station working the 13.22 Manchester Victoria to Blackpool North service. This station used to have large canopies being built in the same style as Poulton-le-Fylde which we visited a little earlier in the day. The two stations could now not be more different with Kirkham feeling very unloved and run down when compared to Poulton just a few miles further west.
Keywords: Andy 150137 13.22 Manchester Victoria-Blackpool North Kirkham & Wesham station Northern

Salwick No. 2 signal box (L&Y, 1889)
Salwick No. 2 signal box is seen from the bridge that crosses the line near the station. The box was opened as Salwick in 1889 and contained a twenty-eight lever Railway Signal Company Limited tappet frame. The box was re-named Salwick No. 2 in 1942 with the opening of another box but it reverted to its initial name in 1975 nearly two years after the closure of Salwick No1 signal box. However, as can be seen, it still wears its British Railways (London Midland Region) enamel maroon enamel still proclaiming it to be No. 2 box!
Keywords: Salwick No. 2 signal box L&Y

Midge Hall signal box (BR (LMR), 1972)
Midge Hall signal box was opened in 1972, replacing a much earlier box diagonally opposite on the platform end of the now-closed station. The box was installed as part of the WCML's re-signalling and was a fringe box from the new state-of-the-art Preston PSB. The line from Preston to Ormskirk is now largely singled with a token exchange taking place at Midge Hall. The box wears its BR corporate image nameplate.
Keywords: Midge Hall signal box BR LMR

Midge Hall station (Closed 02.10.61)
The remains of Midga Hall station with the down platform still extant. The station was closed in October 1961 but there are regular reports and discussions about its possible reopening to serve the fast-growing western flank of Leyland. This case would be helped massively if the direct route into the Merseyrail network could be restored at Ormskirk where the lines are separated by a pair of buffer stops and a gap of a few metres.
Keywords: Midge Hall station

Rufford station, level crossing & signal box box (BR, 1988)
When I last visited Rufford in April 1986 the level crossing and signalling were controlled by a superb Lancashire and Yorkshire Type 7 box located directly behind where I am standing. Over many years the line from Merseyside to Preston was progressively run down and singled with Rufford becoming the only intermediate box that controlled a passing loop seen in this image. Further rationalisation came for Rufford in 1988 when the Portacabin structure, seen on the down platform, was built and commissioned replacing the L & Y box. Rather than bells and levers the new 'box' contained a handful of switches to control the revised layout.
Keywords: Rufford station, level crossing & signal box box BR 1988

508115, ME 16.58 Southport-Hunts Cross, Birkdale station
The 16.58 Southport to Hunts Cross Merseyrail service departs from Birkdale station. On this warm and pleasant evening, it is a shame that the sun has just disappeared behind some errant cloud drifting in from the Irish Sea.
Keywords: 508115 16.58 Southport-Hunts Cross Birkdale station Merseyrail

Birkdale signal box (Closed) (L&Y, 1905)
Birkdale signal bx stands at the level crossing itself located at the northern end of the station of the same name. The box closed in 1994 but still stands thanks to it being an unusual Lancashire and Yorkshire design. One of its more unusual features is that there is no external staircase with access gained from a ground-floor door. It also has not been spoilt by any UPVC appendages and I believe that it still contains its 1905 twenty-four lever Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Tappet frame despite closing nearly twenty years ago.

NB In November 2013 (four months after this picture was taken) the box was given a Grade II listing by Historic England. (note added 2025).
Keywords: Birkdale signal box Closed L&Y Lancashire and Yorkshire

507026, ME 16.06 Hunts Cross-Southport, Birkdale station
507026 works the 16.06 Hunts Cross to Southport service into Birkdale station. This town is, of course, home to the world-famous Royal Birkdale Golf Club which has hosted many tournaments over the years including the Masters. However, the club is located well south of the town with the nearest station actually being Hillside.
Keywords: 507026 16.06 Hunts Cross-Southport Birkdale station Merseyrail

507026, ME 16.06 Hunts Cross-Soutport, Birkdale station
At last, the evening sun has come out again! The 16.06 Hunts Cross to Southport Merseyrail service leaves Birkdale station worked by 507026. It is passing the long-closed (nineteen years) 1905 Lancashire and Yorkshire signal box that looks a little in need of some care and attention from Network Rail.
Keywords: 507026 16.06 Hunts Cross-Southport Birkdale station Merseyrail

Station sign, Hillside station
Hillside station was opened by the LMS in 1926. It is a large brick-built structure that spans the Merseyrail Northern line on a substantial bridge that takes the A565 over the railway. I love this station sign that is set into the frontage of the building and am pleased that it has survived the ravages of modernisation over the years, especially during the BR era when things such as this were removed asunder in the drive towards corporate identity!
Keywords: Station sign Hillside station

Frontage, Hillside station
Taken looking across the A565 road the magnificent Hillside station is seen basking in the evening sunshine complete with Andy's superb Nissan Micra parked at the front behind a very smart-looking Combo van. The station was opened by the LMS in 1926 but today has no disabled access so plans have been submitted to install lifts on both platforms. I hope that these are constructed so as to not spoil the external appearance of the station.
Keywords: Frontage Hillside station LMS

507020, ME 17.13 Liverpool Central-Southport, Freshfield
The 17.13 Liverpool Central to Southport service approaches Freshfield station seen from the overbridge just south of the station.
Keywords: 507020 17.13 Liverpool Central-Southport Freshfield Merseyrail

507012, ME 17.28 Southport-Hunts Cross, Freshfield station
In glorious evening light, the 17.28 Southport to Hunts Cross service arrives at Freshfield station. These venerable units are now thirty-five years old and have given superb service over this time. However, replacements must be on their way pretty soon to satisfy the modern-day needs of Merseyside's travelling public, for example, by providing air conditioning.
Keywords: 507012 17.28 Southport-Hunts Cross Freshfield station Merseyrail

507010, ME 17.48 Southport-Liverpool Central, Hightown
The 17.48 Southport to Liverpool Central service worked by 507010 catches some evening sunshine between some tall trees as it leaves Hightown.
Keywords: 507010 17.48 Southport-Liverpool Central, Hightown Merseyrail

508143, ME 17.28 Southport-Hunts Cross, Hall Road station
Hall Road station is located at the very northern edge of the greater Liverpool urban area opening in 1874. The initial request to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway for a station here was refused but they agreed to one after a local merchant agreed to build five properties; how different to today's protocol for new station openings! 507143 arrives with the 17.28 Southport to Hunts Cross service.
Keywords: 508143 17.28 Southport-Hunts Cross Hall Road station Merseyrail

Andy, Hall Road level crossing
With the station of the same name in the background, Andy crosses Hall Road West. To the left through the substantial gates was the Hall Road TMD which was originally opened by the LMS in 1939 to provide additional capacity for their new fleet of state-of-the-art Class 502 EMUs that were being delivered at that time. The depot continued in use until 1997 when maintenance became concentrated at Kirkdale and Birkenhead North. After languishing for a number of years it was eventually demolished in 2009 with the land not yet put to further use.
Keywords: Andy Hall Road level crossing

508114, ME 18.13 Liverpool Central-Southport, Blundellsands & Crosby station
508114 departs from Blundellsands & Crosby station working the 18.13 Liverpool Central to Southport service. Approaching 17.00 and we are still on Merseyside so it was time for us to head for home with just one more signal box to do!
Keywords: 508114 18.13 Liverpool Central-Southport Blundellsands & Crosby station Merseyrail

Rainford Junction signal box (LMS, 1933 on S&F base, 1874)
After getting friendly with the signalman at Rainford Junction, who also permitted us access to the box, he also said that we could go trackside to take our photographs. The box is an LMS structure dating from 1933 that sits on top of an 1874 Saxby and Farmer base. It has a fifty-six lever frame still in situ but just ten are still in use. It operates on a twin token system with one for passenger services and the other for freight trains. The latter token unlocks the ground frame at Dale that permits access to Knowsley Freight Terminal with the token able to lock the ground frame again permitting passenger services to pass over the single line section on the other token.
Keywords: Rainford Junction signal box LMS, 1933 on S&F base

Interior, Rainford Junction signal box (LMS, 1933)
Whilst photographing Rainford Junction signal box the signalman on duty spotted Andy and I with our cameras. It's a sad testament to the modern railway that we were expecting some verbal abuse. However, to make a pleasant change he invited us into the box and gave us a guided tour. As can be seen, the lever frame is much reduced looking a little incongruous on such an operating floor. The 1933 LMS box was used to control the busy intersection of the Liverpool and Bury Railway, the East Lancashire Railway's Skelmersdale Branch and the St. Helens Railway. However, lines gradually closed during the 1950s and 1960s and by the 1970s the line was down to just the single route between Wigan and Kirkby and the station was renamed plain old Rainford but still retains in original name on the nameboard.
Keywords: Interior Rainford Junction signal box LMS, 1933

Yours truly, Rainford Junction signal box (courtesy of Andy)
Ady took a photograph of a smiling me on the veranda of Rainford Junction (or just Rainforrd now to give it its correct name). He then had a copy printed and then framed it and gave it as my Christmas 2013 present; what a nice friend he is!
Keywords: Yours truly Rainford Junction signal box courtesy of Andy

Images 1-47 of 47 displayed.