Preston Station - Past & Present
The WLR - Lindle Lane Crossing

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pic3Situated mid-way between Penwortham [Cop Lane] and New Longton & Hutton stations, Lindle Lane is a minor road providing access to local farms and to the nearby Lancashire Police HQ at Hutton. It is believed that the crossing keeper's cottage has survived, today providing the only evidence that a railway ever ran here. As at Back Lane Crossing, which is a few hundred yards to the north, the signals control the crossing only and are operated by the crossing keeper who is in telegraphic communication with the nearest manned signal boxes in either direction. Stanier 2-6-4 tank No. 42465 is seen here, on 21st August 1964, approaching with the three ubiquitous ex-LMS non-corridor vehicles of the 09-13 Southport - Preston. Notice the massive proportions of the paraffin lamp mounted atop the gate. The signal box controlling the crossing at New Longton & Hutton is just discernible in the far distance.
(c) Alan Caste 6th September 1964

pic1No. 44745, one of the several Caprotti valve geared Class 5MT 4-6-0s on Southport shed's allocation towards the end of steam, approaches Lindle Lane Crossing on 2nd September 1964, midway through the uphill slog away from Penwortham [Cop lane] to New Longton & Hutton with the 17-59 Preston - Southport. These particular locomotives were reputed to be a little sluggish at low speed and in acceleration, but seemed to excel at higher speeds and, consequently, were, perhaps, more suited to the Southport - Manchester commuter expresses than on duties such as the one depicted here. 
(c) Alan Caste 2nd September 1964

pic2A view taken on 6th September 1964 from the footplate of Lostock Hall's BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No. 78040 at the head of the 14-10 Southport - Preston. Although Lindle Lane Crossing has the luxury of handwheel remote operation of the gates, the crossing-keeper cannot afford to relax as there are at least two cars already waiting on even this quiet Sunday afternoon and along this relatively rural byway.
(c) Alan Caste 6th September 1964
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