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Balshaw Lane Junction
All photographs of this location in date order.
![Ex-works 40141 runs north light engine on the West Coast Main Line in 1978. The shiny Class 40 is just approaching the start of the four track section at Balshaw Lane Junction while in the distance another member of the class heads south with a short train of 16T mineral wagons, heading for the Wigan area where coal for Lancashire power stations was still being produced at this time. This was probably the last major overhaul for 40141, which continued in service until withdrawn from Crewe in October 1983 followed by scrapping at Doncaster the following year.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett //1978]](/images/40000/40837.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A southbound Virgin Pendolino speeds over Balshaw Lane Junction in September 2006.<br><br>[John McIntyre /09/2006]](/images/40000/40389.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Pendolino at speed southbound at Balshaw Lane Junction on 17 June 2007.<br><br>[John McIntyre 17/06/2007]](/images/16000/16481.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A Northern service from Blackpool North to Liverpool Lime Street heads south from Balshaw Lane Junction towards the next scheduled stop at Wigan on 17 June 2007. <br><br>[John McIntyre 17/06/2007]](/images/38000/38928.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A northbound Super Voyager approaches Balshaw Lane Junction at speed on 07 August 2009. The former slow lines from Standish are to the right of the Voyager, while to the north of the junction, the slow lines are still in place to Preston.<br><br>[John McIntyre 07/08/2009]](/images/24000/24965.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Virgin Thunderbird loco 57305 'John Tracy' crosses Balshaw Lane Junction in the late afternoon sunshine with the Carlisle to Chirk log train on 16 October 2009.<br><br>[John McIntyre 16/10/2009]](/images/26000/26084.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A Liverpool to Blackpool North service in the hands of 150137 heads north between Coppull and Euxton Balshaw Lane on 3 January 2010. At the next bridge over the line is the signal controlling Balshaw Lane Junction and it is indicating the train will take the diverging route onto the slow lines so that it can call at Euxton Balshaw Lane station. To the left of the train is the route of the former slow lines which used to continue south towards Standish.<br><br>[John McIntyre 03/01/2010]](/images/27000/27052.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Black 5 no 44871 pilots Britannia 70013 <i>Oliver Cromwell</i> towards the end of day 3 of <I>The Great Britain III</I> tour of 2010 as it approaches Balshaw Lane Junction on 8 April, running some 110 minutes later than expected.<br><br>[John McIntyre 08/04/2010]](/images/28000/28428.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Royal Scot no 46115 <I>Scots Guardsman</I> approaches Balshaw <br>
Lane Junction on the WCML on 4 September 2010 as it heads south on the Up Fast with <I>The Lune Rivers Trust</I> private charter from Carnforth to Chester via Hellifield. The Up Slow line can be seen on the lower left of the picture as it joins the Up Fast.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/09/2010]](/images/30000/30560.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
!['Rail Blue Charters' Watford Junction to Edinburgh tour on 6 May 2011 with 86101 and an immaculate set of blue/grey coaches, recreating a scene on the WCML from 35 years ago. The tour is seen on the outward leg approaching Balshaw Lane Junction under a grey rather than blue sky.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/05/2011]](/images/33000/33956.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![92017 in the livery of a well known transport operator hauling containers of a well known supermarket heading north on 6 May 2011 approaching Balshaw Lane Junction.<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/05/2011]](/images/36000/36991.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Compass Railtours <I>Fathers Day Scotsman</I> from York to Edinburgh <br>
via Manchester on 19 June 2011, seen shortly after the last pick up at Wigan North Western approaching Balshaw Lane Junction. This was a circular tour, returning via Newcastle.<br><br>[John McIntyre 19/06/2011]](/images/34000/34573.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![The message on the front of Virgin Pendolino 390052, beneath the name <I>Alison Waters</I>, reads <I>Alstom - Supporting British Athletes</I>. [Alison is a member of the British squash team.] The unit is heading south across Balshaw Lane Junction on 19 June 2011 with the 1058 hrs from Preston to London Euston.<br>
<br><br>[John McIntyre 19/06/2011]](/images/34000/34576.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Scene on 15 April 2012 on the approach to Balshaw Lane Junction. West Coast Railways 57001 and 57601 running north along the WCML with empty stock heading back to Carnforth.<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/04/2012]](/images/38000/38530.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A Network Rail test train from Derby to Carlisle approaches Balshaw Lane Junction on 4 August 2012. Locomotive 97304 is leading with 37688 on the rear.<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/08/2012]](/images/39000/39843.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Smartly turned out WCRC Brush Type 4 brings a <I>Statesman</I> charter south over the old layout at Balshaw Lane Junction on 4 August 2012. A year later and the layout had changed with the complete replacement of the junction. [See image 43861] taken from the same viewpoint during the engineering possession.<br><br>[John McIntyre 04/08/2012]](/images/45000/45834.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Coming off the up slow line at Balshaw Lane Junction, a Northern service from Blackpool to Liverpool appears during the late afternoon of 6 May 2013.<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/05/2013]](/images/42000/42998.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![First TransPennine 185110 approaches Balshaw Lane Junction on a Manchester Airport to Blackpool service on 6 May 2013.<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/05/2013]](/images/43000/43003.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![An 11 car Virgin Pendolino heads north towards Balshaw Lane Junction in the late afternoon sunshine with a Euston to Glasgow service on 6 May 2013.<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/05/2013]](/images/43000/43021.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A late running Birmingham to Edinburgh Voyager approaches Balshaw Lane Junction on 6 May 2013.<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/05/2013]](/images/43000/43045.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![With Balshaw Lane Junction in the distance, a Northern service from Blackpool to Liverpool approaches Charnock Richard during a wet afternoon on 18 May.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/05/2013]](/images/43000/43163.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Looking north over Balshaw Lane Jct as a Pendolino speeds south on 23 June 2013. Work has commenced in preparation for the complete rebuilding of the junction (and two others between Euxton Jct and Warrington Bank Quay) during a 9 day possession from 13 to 21 July.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/06/2013]](/images/43000/43530.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![As a Wigan to Blackpool service runs beneath the camera on 23 June 2013 an up Voyager passes the prefabricated switch and crossing panels for the replacement of Balshaw Lane Jct during a 9 day possession in July.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/06/2013]](/images/43000/43541.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Pendolinos passing at Balshaw Lane Jct on 23 June 2013. On the left is a northbound service which is crossing the junction, while a southbound service is approaching on the right.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/06/2013]](/images/43000/43546.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Colas Rail Freight 47739 hauls 56087 and a rake of sleeper wagons from Carlisle to Washwood Heath on 23 June 2013. Photographed just south of Balshaw Lane Junction.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/06/2013]](/images/43000/43554.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A dull midsummer day at Balshaw Lane Junction on 23 June is brightened by the appearance of Colas Rail Freight 56302 and 66850. The locomotives are heading north with the Chirk to Carlisle empty log wagons.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/06/2013]](/images/43000/43596.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Viewed through the steps of a footbridge, a northbound Pendolino approaching Balshaw Lane Junction on 23 June 2013.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/06/2013]](/images/43000/43666.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A southbound Pendolino has just passed Balshaw Lane Junction on 23 June 2013. The train is speeding south towards its next stop at Wigan North Western. Another Pendolino can be seen heading north in the background.<br><br>[John McIntyre 23/06/2013]](/images/44000/44240.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![On the annual UK tour, 47237 heads the <I>Royal Scotsman</I> on Day 1 with the Dundee to Chester part of the trip south from Balshaw Lane Junction.<br><br>[John McIntyre 06/07/2013]](/images/43000/43725.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Day 2 of the WCML possession at Balshaw Lane Junction on 14 July 2013. View is north, with various on-track plant in evidence.<br><br>[John McIntyre 14/07/2013]](/images/43000/43851.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![During the first 5 days of the possession a number of freight trains ran through the worksite. On 14 July 2013 Freightliner 66555 brings loaded ballast wagons south over Balshaw Lane Junction heading for one of the sites further south.<br><br>[John McIntyre 14/07/2013]](/images/43000/43857.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![The night shift at the Balshaw Lane Junction worksite on 17 July 2013. Work is in progress preparing the new location for the facing points on the Down line which will give access to the slow line. This is some 200m south of the original location. The night shift had ideal weather conditions compared to the very high temperatures endured by the day shift.<br><br>[John McIntyre 17/07/2013]](/images/43000/43860.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Fresh ballast being laid on 18 July before being roughly levelled by the bulldozer. The bed is finally prepared for the new track panels using the bank of remote controlled vibration packing machines bottom right. Unfortunately one of the three was not behaving and is about to be removed for corrective treatment so that packing could continue.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/07/2013]](/images/43000/43866.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![The Balshaw Lane worksite on 18 July with a Kirow crane positioning another panel of track on the Down Slow. 66555 moves over the newly completed Down Fast and the gas axe team continues cutting rails on the Up line which will shortly be loaded into the empty wagons.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/07/2013]](/images/43000/43874.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Activity at Balshaw Lane Junction on the West Coast Main Line on 19 July 2013 during an extended period of possession to carry out major engineering works [see recent news items].<br><br>[John McIntyre 19/07/2013]](/images/43000/43861.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Freightliner 66553 has the honour of being the first locomotive onto the re-laid Down Fast line on 19 July 2013 with empty wagons which will be collecting the recovered rails from the Up line on the left.<br><br>[John McIntyre 19/07/2013]](/images/43000/43893.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![The Chirk to Carlisle empty log train crossing the new pointwork at Balshaw Lane Junction on 28 July 2013 with Colas 56105 doing the work.<br><br>[John McIntyre 28/07/2013]](/images/44000/44032.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A1 Pacific 60163 <I>Tornado</I> charges north at Balshaw Lane Jct on 5 July 2014 as it meets a Glasgow to London Virgin Pendolino at a closing speed of almost 200 mph whilst working the UK Railtours <I>Border Raider</I>. The tour had started in London and the A1 took over from a Class 90 for the run north over Shap to Carlisle.<br><br>[John McIntyre 05/07/2014]](/images/47000/47894.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![The outward run of the <I>Cumbrian Mountain Express</I> on 30 August 2014 from Crewe to Carlisle via Manchester, Bolton, Wigan and the S&C. The train was hauled by Stanier Pacific 46233 <I>Duchess of Sutherland</I>. The tour is seen here being routed along the Down Slow line at Balshaw Lane Junction, in weather conditions hardly befitting a Duchess.<br><br>[John McIntyre 30/08/2014]](/images/48000/48525.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![DRS 47790 in <I>Northern Belle</I> livery leads on the ecs move from Preston to Crewe heading south at Balshaw Lane Junction after having completed a circular tour on 21 September 2014.<br><br>[John McIntyre 21/09/2014]](/images/48000/48799.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A Coatbridge to Daventry container train comes off the slow lines at Balshaw Lane Jct on 7 March 2015. There has been considerable clearance of vegetation in the area and it is now possible to see the station at Euxton Balshaw Lane on the slow lines in the right background.<br><br>[John McIntyre 07/03/2015]](/images/50000/50622.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![350401 brings the Manchester Airport to Glasgow Central TPE service over Balshaw Lane Jct on 12 June 2015.<br><br>[John McIntyre 12/06/2015]](/images/53000/53479.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Freightliner locomotives 86622+86637 bring the 4M74 Coatbridge to Crewe Basford Hall container train through Balshaw Lane Junction on 18 June 2015.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/06/2015]](/images/51000/51862.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![A Shieldmuir to Warrington mail train approaching Balshaw Lane Junction on the Up Fast line on 18 June 2015. On the Slow lines on the right is Euxton Balshaw Lane station.<br><br>[John McIntyre 18/06/2015]](/images/51000/51868.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![WCRC 47760 heads south at Balshaw Lane Junction with an ecs move from Carnforth to Crewe as a Virgin Pendolino thunders northwards on 17 July 2015.<br><br>[John McIntyre 17/07/2015]](/images/52000/52070.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Bullied Battle of Britain pacific no.34067 Tangmere heads north over Balshaw Lane Jct whilst working back to Carnforth with support coach from Southall on 30 September 2015. <br><br>[John McIntyre 30/09/2015]](/images/52000/52800.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Stanier Pacific no.46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' heads south over Balshaw Lane Jct whilst heading to Crewe with support coach on 20 March 2016. The previous day it had hauled the Mid Day Scot railtour from Manchester to Edinburgh.<br><br>[John McIntyre 20/03/2016]](/images/54000/54655.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![With the Euxton Jct to Lostock Jct line closed for engineering work, Blackpool North to Manchester Victoria services are diverted via Wigan on weekends at the moment. Here such a service is seen crossing from the Up Slow line at Balshaw Lane Jct on a sunny afternoon on 03 July 2016.<br><br>[John McIntyre 03/07/2016]](/images/55000/55743.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Class 88s have re-appeared on the Mossend-Daventry 'Tescoliner' container trains after a brief absence. 88003 'Genesis' heads south at Balshaw Lane Jct in the early evening of 17 September 2017.<br><br>[John McIntyre 17/09/2017]](/images/60000/60985.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
![Class 50s at 50. 50007 and 50049 recreate a late 60s/early 70s trip as they head north at Balshaw Lane Jct on 07 October 2017 with 'The Caledonian' railtour from London to Glasgow. The Class 50s replaced a Class 87 at Crewe in a bid to further recreate the days before the wires crossed the border.<br><br>[John McIntyre 07/10/2017]](/images/61000/61065.jpg "Balshaw Lane Junction")
