FOUR THOUSAND HOLES - BLACKBURN, LANCASHIRE

We arrive in the outskirts of Blackburn, where we meet the local tram network at Billinge End.

 

At Revidge Road, in the northern suburbs, we find a Blackburn Transport Metrorider passing the Quarryman pub - both have been consigned to history.

Before finding Blackburn town centre, we reach the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, where there's a fine Thwaites house called the Navigation.

Next stop, Blackburn railway station, 1965 (Both photos by Ben Brooksbank CC).

About ten years later and one could find some examples of diesel traction.

Blackburn Corporation once had a substantial tram system. An illuminated car sits outside the depot.

Trams, taxis and buses, until recently, terminated beside the railway station and the big church.

Blackburn Corporaion ran some old Leyland buses.

They also had a few Guy Arabs.

Later purchases included Dennis Dominators, one of which received a special livery in 1981.

Out of town routes were served by Ribble Motor Services.

Stagecoach took over Ribble in the area.

Transdev now serve the town (from a new bus station).

Rossendale Transport (now part of Transdev) also come into Blackburn.

Independents have included Powercrafts and Pilkingtons.

The modern tower of Thwaite's Brewery once dominated the town. Below it was the Veteran pub. Both have now been demolished.

Another Thwaite's house, the Imperial, has also been knocked down.

Another one gone!! - The Bank, a Mathew Brown house.

At least the Wetherspoons is still with us, called the Postal Order.

Leaving the town centre behind, we come to Daisyfield, where the Blackburn to Clitheroe railway crosses a road on the level. This signal box was still in situ in 1994 to control things.

Beside the level crossing is a pub, the Florence. CAMRA report it as still being open, but it has no real ale.

That's it for now. The next post will see us heading for Clitheroe. Follow the route here.

LAND OF PAINT & LORRIES

So, it's time to leave Preston behind, heading west to Lower Penwortham, where Preston Bus No. 2 was found - a unique vehicle in the fleet.

In Penwortham itself, the excellent Fleece Inn.

Just to the south of Preston is Walton-le-Dale, where the Shawes Arms was located. A pretty decent boozer, it has since shut.

Bamber Bridge Motor Services once served Walton-le-Dale and that company's No. 6 was photographed there when newish.

Also, in 2004, a bus rally was held at Walton-le-Dale. Here are a couple of entrants.

We move on southwards, to Leyland, once home to Leyland Paints and Leyland Motors. First, though, the railway station, seen here in LNWR times.

A DMU calls at Leyland in June 1986.

Northern serves the station these days.

Pendolinos and freight pass through without stopping.

The town clock, one of the few reminders of the former lorry and bus manufacturer.

Right in the middle of Leyland is a micropub, the Market Ale House.

The town's Wetherspoons is a reminder of the buses made in the town.

 Another micropub in Leyland, the Golden Tap.

In the 1998s, a regular vintage vehicle rally was held in Leyland. Here are three very appropriate entrants.

A local bus operator, Fishwick's, was based in Leyland. The company used to built their own bodywork.

Some more conventional buses in the Fishwick's fleet.

Fishwick's also used to operate demonstration buses on behalf of the neighbours.

Back north again, to the Preston - Blackburn railway line, to find Bamber Bridge station in 1963 (Ben Brooksbank).

The signal box, re-roofed, was downgraded to just a level crossing frame.

Further along the line was Hoghton level crossing, with a L&YR signal box.

At nearby Feniscowles was Three Bs Brewery, since relocated to Darwen.

Also in Feniscowles, the Feildens Arms.

That seems like a good place to conclude this post. The next one will see us in Blackburn. Meanwhile, you can find the route here.