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What
would eventually become the West Coast Main Line, first reached Preston in
1838 when the North Union railway arrived from the south, bringing with it
the posibility of direct travel to London by rail. Just as important was
access to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, all of which would change
Preston forever.
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The
line eventually became part of the London & North Western
Railway, but the North Union name lived on for many years. Until
the demise of the East Lancs platforms, the main north-south
platforms were known still referred to as the North Union station,
and the sidings to the south as the North Union Sidings.
[Left]
Fairburn LMS 2-6-4T no 42096 passes Skew Bridge on a Wigan to
Preston Stopping Train
Photo
by Stan Withers |
| As
Preston's railways grew, a complex network of junctions south of
the station developed in the Farington and Lostock Hall area, to
allow trains access to the Ormskirk and Blackburn lines.
Stations were provided at Farington on the north-south route and
Lostock Hall on the east-west route. Lostock Hall would eventually
become famous as one of the last three steam sheds in the country,
eventually closing in August 1968 when all steam ceased on British
Railways.
[Right]
Black
5 no 44676 passes Skew Bridge with a Preston to Wigan stopping
service.
Photo
by Stan Withers |
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A
novelty of the junctions in this area was thata train could travel
south out of Preston station via Preston Junction, Lostock Hall
Junction, and Farington Curve Junction to pass back through
Preston in the oposite direction. In fact some trains from the
north did just that to gain access to the Blackpool line without
having to reverse in the station.
[Left]
Rebuilt Patriot no 45522 "Prestatyn", again at Skew
Bridge, with a fast fish train, probably from Fleetwood.
Photo
by Stan Withers |
| [Right]
Black
5 no 45131 passes Skew Bridge on a southbound car train to
Bathgate (?)
Photo
by Stan Withers |
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[Left]
Black 5 no 45082 passes Farington Junction Yard with a southbound
mineral working. In the background are Lostock Hall Carriage Sheds
and the Engine Shed coaling tower.
Photo
by Stan Withers |
| [Right]
Crosti boilered 9F no 92022 passing Farington Junction Yard with a
southbound fitted freight.
Photo
by Stan Withers |
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