Used west of Preston only; a lot of the halts between Preston and Colne can't take the full length.
I think its a very sad sign of the times that once proud Lancashire cotton towns now have a station that can only take a two coach train.
The contrast with the Aire Valley line, and the consequential contrast in economic fortunes of what might otherwise be similar towns, is quite remarkable..
The contrast with the Aire Valley line, and the consequential contrast in economic fortunes of what might otherwise be similar towns, is quite remarkable..
I concur. My wife and indeed many others have left the area in the last 30 years because of economic despair. What is left is unemployment, poverty and the BNP.
The likes of Accrington, Burnley and Nelson aren't very well located or connected for commuting to the major cities -too far from Manchester, too far from Leeds, plus awful housing stock.
As far as the railway goes, the fast and relatively uncongested M65 and A56 greatly limit potential usage.
I think the economies of Halifax and Huddersfield have been restored in recent times by the Lloyds Banking Group and the growing Huddersfield University.
Unfortunately the equivalent ex-textile towns to the east of the Pennines have not enjoyed a similar boost.
I think the economies of Halifax and Huddersfield have been restored in recent times by the Lloyds Banking Group and the growing Huddersfield University.
Unfortunately the equivalent ex-textile towns to the east of the Pennines have not enjoyed a similar boost.
Even though Preston-Blackpool S can take 4 car units a lot is to do with demand. If you can get everyone in the front unit then it makes it easier to sell/check tickets etc as the 142s have no end gangways. If both units are required then unlock the rear and make an announcement to warn any passengers going through to East Lancs to get up front. There is also the issue of getting the power down. A 142 struggles when heavily loaded and there is little slack doing Kirkham-Blackpool-Kirkham on the single line within the hour.
... In contrast, in Lancs, the direct rail link southwards from Accrington towards Manchester was severed.. yes, the distances may be greater, but the road links you mention parallel the former rail route (is any of the A56 actually built on the former railway formation?) .....
If the 142 struggles so much, surely it'd be better to put the 150 on the front and put the passengers in there?
If the 142 struggles so much, surely it'd be better to put the 150 on the front and put the passengers in there?
I think its a very sad sign of the times that once proud Lancashire cotton towns now have a station that can only take a two coach train.