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.
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