PRESSING ON INTO PRESTON

On the western edge of Preston are its docks. Here's the tidal basin around 1925, with the SS Gertie. 

A general view of the docks (Photographer unknown).

There's the HQ of a preserved railway in the docks. Three views taken in 2004.

Preston Bus 176 in the docks in 2004, in a special colour scheme.

A wartime fire engine in preservation, Preston Docks, 2004.

Ribble buses in Preston Docks, 1987.

Ashton, a suburb of Preston - the tram terminus.

Ashton Basin, on the Lancaster Canal, in 1992.

The Lancaster Canal used to continue southwards, but now ends abruptly!

A bit to the north, Fulwood Barracks, served by Preston's horse trams.

The Withy Trees in Fulwood, seen circa 1915. It carried on into the 21st Century, but has now shut.

Preston's bus depot was on Deepdale Road.

A few buses at the depot in the late 1970s.

Road widening - Deepdale Road, circa 1931.

The original terminus of the Lancaster Canal.

Not all operations went perfectly!

The view from the spire of St Walburge's church, just off Fylde Road.

The Fylde Road, near the university, has some decent pubs. First up is the Guild, which has a Wikipedia page.

Nearby, a trendy bar, the Ferret, with good beer.

Sadly, the best real ale bar in the area, the Ale Emporium, is now closed.

Never mind, there are plenty more pubs in Preston city centre, which is where we're going in the next post. Don't forget to follow the route.

UP THE CREEK

 So, we now come to the town of Lytham, which is seen here, with its pier, from the air.

Here is Clifton Street, Lytham, when trams were running.

Tramlines still in evidence in Market Square.

Lytham's famous windmill, overlooking the sea.

Lytham railway station, outside and in, pre-grouping days.

A 'Pacer' calls at the basic station in 2003.

The old building has become the Station Tavern.

Close by is the Wetherspoons, the Railway Hotel.

Fylde Council (formerly Lytham St Annes) ran most of the buses, including this Seddon, followed by a wedding party.

Ribble also ran services here.

Found in Lytham in the mid 1970s was this ex United Bristol MW coach, owned by the Formby Coach Co.

More beer now! First stop, the Queens Hotel.

Next, the County Hotel. When it was a Boddington's pub, it was described as a "licensed rabbit warren"! Now, it's open plan, with some decent ales.

My personal favourite, despite being a Greene King house - The Taps. Loads of guest beers!

Now, we're looking across the Ribble estuary from Lytham.

Just inland was a small railway museum at Lytham Creek. Here's one of the outside exhibits.

The museum was packed with various types of motive power.

Inland now to Freckleton, once home to the Ship Inn.

Wrea Green station, on the Lytham loop line.

The small town of Kirkham is next. This is Poulton Street.

Kirkham & Wesham station was to the north. It once had some proper signalling.

A Cravens DMU arrives, circa 1978.

Two 1986 views of traffic at Kirkham.

As we head towards Preston, we pass Lea Road water troughs, seen in LMS times.

We conclude this post at a Thwaite's pub, the Smiths Arms.

Next time, we'll be entering Preston. Follow the route here.