[Archived] Train Station For Ewood And South Blackburn

[jim mk2]

I think this could work well potentially - but this was the location of the station idea from 20 years ago, where the public were not consulted and ultimately kicked off about it. The other 2 potential stations appear to be further from dwellings. 20 years on, it would seem that train travel is much more popular, and there also seem to be a few other things that may have changed for the positive. Part of my research is focussed on finding out more about public and resident reaction to a station on the three sites today.

What about the site of the old Lower Darwen locomotive shed, closed in the early 1960s ?

Not quite sure where it used to be but unless the land has been redeveloped there must be space for a station.

[FourLaneBlue]

btw....not many people know Blackburn used to have two central railway stations. The existing station & one further down the line near where the new Wainwright bridge is situated. Apparently two train companies that built the line could not agree 'where?' to build the main station for the town.......so they both built one where 'they' thought it should be

[roversmum]

I might!

For my 40th birthday (a few weeks ago) my lovely gf got a me a rather unusual present.....a day being a steam train driver! It starts off prepping & oiling the engine in the morning, then get to be the fireman, then finally get to drive the train, before cleaning the engine down for the night. It`s going to be messy & dirty but i`ve always been into trains, so i`m really looking forward to it

Life begins at forty, eh!!!

Loving this discussion about trains and track.

I've always wanted to drive a train. Don't think could cope with steam though, one of those two carriage things would do, or perhaps one of those Virgin efforts. Hope you have a good day, Cletus, awaiting report on it in due course!

[cruz]

Does anyone know how profitable the Preston to Colne line is?

Reason I ask is because on matchdays I never get asked to pay from bamber bridge to mill hill and back due to the tran being pretty full. I've been asked 5 times in 3 seasons

[AlexF]

What about the site of the old Lower Darwen locomotive shed, closed in the early 1960s ?

Not quite sure where it used to be but unless the land has been redeveloped there must be space for a station.

Sounds good Jim - is that a different spot to the old lower darwen station? Here's the map of the 3 locations that have been put forward so far. I think I'll have a wander up there and check it out. According to this page, the old Lower Darwen station was North of Fore st.

On todays evidence, yet another reason for opening a station on this line near to the Rovers - next season, Trotters fans might want to come over and see some Premier league football

[Paul]

Perhaps I should lay on a regular service Paul!

Well you know where two passengers need to jump off!!

[Grabbi Graeme]

Grabbi Graeme's a train man isn't he so he might be able to throw a bit more light on all this.

I have been away for a week otherwise would of answered earlier, I think most points have been covered though, it's mostly down to cost and who is going to put money into the project, I would imagine it would be Network Rail, Blackburn with Darwen and the TOC that operates the service on that line which are Northern Rail.

Another thing is that Northern Rail only run the 2 car sprinter trains on that line and would have to add more coaches on a matchday to cope with the fans using the service.

And to answer Abbey's question about dumping toilet waste on the track. only the older trains do that, trains built within last 10 yrs have retention tanks built underneath.

[MCMC1875]

This building still exists as the Islington Motel on Bolton Road and served the company which ran the Clitheroe to Manchester line. The original (and current station) served the company which ran the earlier Blackburn to Preston line, prior to almalgamation as the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (of which the pub at Bamber Bridge is named after).

[Florida Rover]

no message apologies

[Mike Graham]

I have been away for a week otherwise would of answered earlier, I think most points have been covered though, it's mostly down to cost and who is going to put money into the project, I would imagine it would be Network Rail, Blackburn with Darwen and the TOC that operates the service on that line which are Northern Rail.

Another thing is that Northern Rail only run the 2 car sprinter trains on that line and would have to add more coaches on a matchday to cope with the fans using the service.

And to answer Abbey's question about dumping toilet waste on the track. only the older trains do that, trains built within last 10 yrs have retention tanks built underneath.

so that explains why Virgin Trains toilets are always full and out-of-order, or smell the vestibule out with the smell of poo.

talking of trains I have had so many compensatory refunds from Virgin I could buy one of their crappy new trains, I keep a hand full of complaint forms in my work bag and must send in approx 2 a month.

[SAS]

I have been away for a week otherwise would of answered earlier, I think most points have been covered though, it's mostly down to cost and who is going to put money into the project, I would imagine it would be Network Rail, Blackburn with Darwen and the TOC that operates the service on that line which are Northern Rail.

Another thing is that Northern Rail only run the 2 car sprinter trains on that line and would have to add more coaches on a matchday to cope with the fans using the service.

And to answer Abbey's question about dumping toilet waste on the track. only the older trains do that, trains built within last 10 yrs have retention tanks built underneath.

Looks like all the east lancs trains dump their crap then ..

[cletus]

Looks like all the east lancs trains dump their crap then ..

If i was a train driver in East lancs, i`d wait until going through Bumley before i pulled the 'dump waste' lever

[Grabbi Graeme]

so that explains why Virgin Trains toilets are always full and out-of-order, or smell the vestibule out with the smell of poo.

talking of trains I have had so many compensatory refunds from Virgin I could buy one of their crappy new trains, I keep a hand full of complaint forms in my work bag and must send in approx 2 a month.

Not very often that they are out of order because the tanks are full, as they are emptied frequently, flush system is a vacum which can sometimes fail causing them to be locked out of use, as for the smell some can be bad.

[wilyrover]

Going back to the subject of a Rovers railway station. I noticed from the train how the line is actually double-tracked with an old goods line up to where it crosses the canal at Bolton Road. So you're only talking of laying new track for a few hundred yards, if the site behind the Aqueduct pub is considered. The spare land at the end of Marlton Road looks an ideal location.

I also noticed the land where the railway line meets Bolton Road - directly across the road from Hollin Bank St - has already been landscaped and would be acccessable to prams and wheelchairs. Could do with being a bit closer to the football ground though. But this would be the cheapest option as the line has two tracks up to the bridge.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

If i was a train driver in East lancs, i`d wait until going through Bumley before i pulled the 'dump waste' lever

To be fair I dont think they'd notice.

[wilyrover]

I also noticed the land where the railway line meets Bolton Road - directly across the road from Hollin Bank St - has already been landscaped and would be acccessable to prams and wheelchairs. Could do with being a bit closer to the football ground though. But this would be the cheapest option as the line has two tracks up to the bridge.

Sorry I meant Hollin Bridge St.

[Mike Graham]

There is some more detail here on the Chorley to Blackburn track. How sensible it would be to have a direct rail link from Wigan to Chorley to Blackburn, thus opening up Liverpool for East Lancs without the fannying about through Preston etc.

Without sounding like I work for the Socialist Worker, a sensible country would fund a sensible rail infrastructure with developments such as this, and direct funds from unnecessary projects. LCC subsidise some bizarre bus routes for Stagecoach round here, because it serves the community. Same principal, so why not apply it on a bigger scale.

Thanks for the Chorley Guardian link Ozz. The article quotes Steve Williams who is the guy from Brindle who initiated the Chorley Lads Memorial on the Flat Iron Market....it was unveiled last weekend. He sounds like a top guy to me, probably because he is a committed Rovers fan!

[ABBEY]

And to answer Abbey's question about dumping toilet waste on the track. only the older trains do that, trains built within last 10 yrs have retention tanks built underneath.

ya learn summut every day.

[AlexF]

Howdy folks - a few developments on the station front here - There is support there and things are improving, so lets hope this will happen one day.

[American]

Excellent email from Councillor for Ewood:

* "BRFC would be keen to improve access by train to Ewood Park"

* "there are tremendous parking problems still in the area and these will get worse as we are loosing a large number of current parking facilities in the area."

It's a sad day knowing that people who don't know loose for lose are running government...

[AlexF]

It's a sad day knowing that people who don't know loose for lose are running government...

Indeed fella, but this is a quote from an informal email, so fear not.

[Ben-2000]

New station for Reading FC currently under construction

[philipl]

New station for Reading FC currently under construction

An encouraging precedent but the population in south Reading is probably ten times that of south Blackburn and the offices and light industrial units round the new station must employ around 10,000 people. Reading was the fastest growing conurbation in Europe- don't know whether it still is.

[SAS]

And its down south.

I noticed they said no train station to whitebirk either after another business park development was announced with over 1,000 new jobs...

Would help all the scrotes get to greenbank too....

[Ben-2000]

Heard on Radio Lancs that extra trains are to be laid on for the Clitheroe-Manc line during peak periods.