~Preston Railway Walk~
5th November 2011
What to do on a Saturday when the main plan is for Sunday and you don't want to drive very far? Well this outcome wasn't planned and just took shape as the day went on.
Parallel Lines
Scroll down for photos and a description of the day....
Preston Railway Station
I had driven down to Brierfield Railway Station with a view to taking a walk to Padiham and beyond and then catching the train back. However, as soon as I got out of the car, the level crossing barriers came down and a train appeared from the Colne direction. So, I got on it and decided to go to Preston.
Corn Exchange
I had a wander around. It is becomming increasingly difficult to photograph an urban scene without the presence of wheelie bins.
Preston Cenotaph
Avenham Park, Preston
After due consideration, I decided to walk to Bamber Bridge station along some of the trackbed of the old "shorter route" from BB to Preston. But first a look at the parkland. Avenham Park and neighbouring Miller Park are valuable open spaces and should make Prestonians proud.
Miller Park
The Earl of Derby presides over the park.
Miller Park - Looking Back
The bridge separating the parks carried the trains on the old railway into Preston. I'm not sure why the "shorter route" was discontinued but my limited research suggests it served a platform north of the current station and was probably not in the most convenient place.
Preston Railway Station
From Miller Park, it is possible to reach the boundary fence and watch the trains, if that's your thing. A two-car service leaves Platform 2.
Pendolino
A Virgin Pendolino arrives at Platfrom 3. In my younger days, I would stand at the end of Platform 3 with others (who prefer not to be named) and we would wait for Class 50's hauling the Glasgow trains from London. Later it was Class 87's. I'm sure those trains had much more character than these beasts - and they made more noise.
The River Ribble
The River Ribble flows under the "old" railway bridge, which I'm about to walk across.
Preston Railway Viaduct
There's plenty of water in the river after heavy rainfall the evening before.
Railway Walk
This route is now a Sustrans cycle route. Birch trees seem to like old railway tracks, they're always first in.
"Find Brook"
If you, reader, "Find Brook", cut me in. I dare say that if I found Brook - the money would go to an animal charity. Upon checking Facebook, I discovered that Brook remains missing. My walk continued along the Old Tram Road to Bamber Bridge - largely now housing estates. Bamber Bridge Railway Station has an unusual signal box.
Bamber Bridge Railway Station
The train, bound for Colne, was soon to arrive on this platform. I took it as far as Burnley Central and then walked along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal back to Brierfield.
Old Hall Mill, Burnley
The Canal, Burnley
Pendle Hill
Oliver Ings Bridge and Pendle Hill. I've walked up PH once every week since May, but now there is no after work opportunity, this sequence could be coming to an end.
The Front
West Lancashire has enjoyed more of the sunshine today, over here in East Lancs, it's been a little dull.
Canal Walkers
Lob Lane Mill, Brierfield
Occasional feature on this website is Lob Lane Mill and renovation for housing is well under way.
Sunset
I drove home from Brierfield Station and waited to see what sort of sunset we might get. The lower surface of the frontal cloud is illuminated by sunrays reaching over the cumulus on the horizon.
Walkers: Just me.
Time taken: Most of the day - 4 miles from Preston to Bamber Bridge; 2 miles from Burnley to Brierfield
Route: As described.
Weather and conditions: Brighter in Preston, duller in Burnley, dry throughout.
Take me back to the start ....