Excursion Trains at Aintree for Grand National

[LeylandLen]

I'm sure I remember seeing packed railway carriages alongside the racecourse for the Grand National many years ago. Indeed an old Ordnance Survey 1" map dated 1972 does show a line branching with sidings from near Aintree Station now on Merseyrail to the Liverpool - Kirkby - Wigan line. Does anyone know when the last 'special' was run to Aintree Racecourse using this line? Could the line be re-instated? Or have houses been built on it which seems to be the case from TV pics.?

 

[richard1976]

I'm sure I remember seeing packed railway carriages alongside the racecourse for the Grand National many years ago. Indeed an old Ordnance Survey 1" map dated 1972 does show a line branching with sidings from near Aintree Station now on Merseyrail to the Liverpool - Kirkby - Wigan line. Does anyone know when the last 'special' was run to Aintree Racecourse using this line? Could the line be re-instated? Or have houses been built on it which seems to be the case from TV pics.?

Found two disused stations at Aintree
Aintree Central
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/a/aintree_central/index.shtml

Aintree Racecourse
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/a/aintree_racecourse/index.shtml

this any use to you

 

[poshfan]

The current excursion line seems to have been last used sometime between 1990 and 2010 going by my Baker rail atlases, 6th and 12th editions. The 12th edition shows it as in situ, but marks it as disused. It apparently used an excursion platform at the current Aintree station. The line starts from Bootle junction and runs alongside the Southport line before heading east from just south of Seaforth. I think the line you mentioned was a continuation of this line and joined the Wigan line at Fazakerley.

 

[8A Rail]

The line you are referring too (Sefton Junc to Fazakerly Junc) as seen in TV broadcasts from the past where there were coaches stabled during the Grand National was part of Fazakerly P/way Sidings which went on to Kirkby and beyond. This closed in February 1994 and yes, most of of it has houses on it! The line itself, is now a public footpath.

The line from Bootle Junction to Aintree which is known as the North Mersey Branch is still in situ and has not been in use for a few years - I think 2005 or thereabouts. When used it is just for p/way trains to gain access to the Ormskirk line. Certainly as far as GN traffic is concerned, I think it was either 1987 or 88 that the final train(s) operated to Aintree Station, Platform 3.

This image is from 1995 is looking towards Sefton Junction with the church in the background, the general direction of the line to Fazakerly -- https://www.flickr.com/photos/8a-collection/13253281485/ -- HTH.

 

[L+Y]

The line from Bootle Junction to Aintree which is known as the North Mersey Branch is still in situ and has not been in use for a few years - I think 2005 or thereabouts. When used it is just for p/way trains to gain access to the Ormskirk line. Certainly as far as GN traffic is concerned, I think it was either 1987 or 88 that the final train(s) operated to Aintree Station, Platform 3.

The North Mersey branch was last used for engineers' trains in 2009, but I believe since then tree growth has been so rampant that it is essentially impassible for trains, which is unfortunate.

Race specials last ran along the NM to Aintree in 1987, I believe, though they had been declining for some point before then. Prior to 1970, the incoming trains would run north through Ormskirk and turn on the Burscough Curves before returning to Aintree.

 

[Leylandlad]

The North Mersey branch was last used for engineers' trains in 2009, but I believe since then tree growth has been so rampant that it is essentially impassible for trains, which is unfortunate.

Race specials last ran along the NM to Aintree in 1987, I believe, though they had been declining for some point before then. Prior to 1970, the incoming trains would run north through Ormskirk and turn on the Burscough Curves before returning to Aintree.

Another good reason to reinstate Burscough Curves

Pretty sure when there was the mega pile up at the fence in 1967 when Foinavon ran off clear there were coaches stabled in the background.

Anyone back the winner BTW...I was gutted. Had Across the Bay at 50/1 leading by 10 lengths till that loose horse barged it off the track :cry:

 

[6Gman]

One curiosity of Grand National Day in the 70s was that the Eastern Region regularly used its 2car Wickham Inspection Unit to run a special to Aintree, presumably for favoured customers.

Anybody know the details?

 

[LeylandLen]

The North Mersey branch was last used for engineers' trains in 2009, but I believe since then tree growth has been so rampant that it is essentially impassible for trains, which is unfortunate.

Race specials last ran along the NM to Aintree in 1987, I believe, though they had been declining for some point before then. Prior to 1970, the incoming trains would run north through Ormskirk and turn on the Burscough Curves before returning to Aintree.

I looked on YouTube and saw the Nationals from 1974 when carriages could be seen adjacent to the course (that was Red Rums 2nd win ) but couldn't see any on the 1977 race ( Red Rums hat-trick) .