Date: 08/09/2012

RAIL campaigners want to open up East Lancashire to Yorkshire and Scotland by promoting extra trains along a rarely-used route. Friends of the Blackburn to Hellifield Line (FOBHL) are making the call 50 years to the day that the last regular passenger service between the two locations ceased. The final train between Blackburn and the North Yorkshire station departed in early September 1962, and now only a single train operates every Sunday. [From Mark Bartlett]

External links

Rail campaigners call for more trains in Blackburn to Hellifield route

Lancashire Telegraph

RAIL campaigners want to open up East Lancashire to Yorkshire and Scotland by promoting extra trains along a rarely-used route.

Related images

Diverted due to engineering works, a southbound Pendolino stands at Horrocksford Junction on 17 May en route from Hellifield back to the WCML. In the background a local DMU service prepares to undertake a crossover and reverse back into Clitheroe station prior to starting its return journey to Manchester Victoria. Drag locomotive at the head of the Pendolino is Thunderbird 57315 The Mole.
Location: Clitheroe
Company: Blackburn, Clitheroe and North Western Junction Railway (Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe and West Yorkshire Railway)
17/05/2008 John McIntyre

The artificial tunnel at Gisburn, on the line between Hellifield and Clitheroe, is only 157 yards long. It was built to protect the view from Gisburne Park (sic) and the castellations on the far portals can also be seen in this view towards Hellifield in April 2008. The remains of Gisburn station are just behind the photographer. (SD 826489)
Location: Gisburn
Company: Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
28/04/2008 Mark Bartlett

Britannia Pacific no 70013 Oliver Cromwell backs onto the BR (Scottish Region) Easter Grand Tour at Hellifield on 13 April 1968. The Pacific took the train on to Stockport via Blackburn, Bolton and Manchester.
Location: Hellifield
Company: North Western Railway
13/04/1968 Jim Peebles