Clifton Junction [Manchester]
The cobbled approach road at Clifton (Junction) used to lead to a ticket office in the 'V' of a junction between the L&YR line from Bolton and the ELR from Bury. This location has passed into railway folklore as the scene of what became known as the 'Battle of Clifton Junction'. The National Transport Trust summarises the events as 'In 1849 Clifton Junction was the scene of a pitched battle between employees of the Lancashire & Yorkshire and East Lancashire Railways. The latter had running powers over the LYR from Clifton Junction into Manchester and was charged a rate according to the number of passengers carried. The LYR distrusted their competitor and insisted on checking the numbers. When the ELR ceased stopping at Clifton in order to avoid the control, the LYR placed obstacles across the track to force a stop. They also placed a train on the line in order to take those passengers who had a ticket. The ELR removed the obstacles and then had to push the LYR train out of the way, a task made harder by the LYR bringing up an extra locomotive. Meanwhile the ELR blocked the other line. After a physical struggle between locomotives the ELR won the day.' A TPE service for Edinburgh approaches the now almost forgotten station in July 2021.
Location: Clifton Junction [Manchester] (former)
Original line: East Lancashire Railway
Photographer: Mark Bartlett
Contact photographer: Mark Bartlett
Date: 19/07/2021
Image number: 77721
Other photographs of Clifton Junction [Manchester] on RailScot
 |  |
