Helmshore railway station
Encyclopedia
Helmshore railway station served the village of Helmshore
in Rossendale
, Lancashire
between 1848 and 1966.
The station was situated just north of where the line passed over Helmshore Road on a level crossing, a few hundred yards south of the town centre. The main station buildings were on the west side of the twin-track line with more modest buildings on the eastern platform, which served trains to Bury and Manchester Victoria. Also on the east side of the tracks was a siding to the wooden goods shed and longer sidings serving the nearby Albion cotton mill.
The signal box was located just south of Helmshore Road on the eastern side of the line and the signalman also operated the level crossing gates. A footbridge linked the south end of the platforms and allowed the public to cross the line whilst the gates were shut for trains to pass.
and Colne
. In July 1946 the LMSR operated 15 northbound and 14 southbound trains, with the 8.28 a.m. service from Colne continuing via Bury, Manchester (Victoria) and Stockport
(Edgeley) to London (Euston), arriving at 2.25 p.m.
By January 1956, British Railways London Midland Region were operating 15 stopping trains both north and southbound, with several trains beginning or terminating at Colne rather than Accrington. The 1956 single third class fare for the 17 miles to Manchester being 2s 8d (13p).
Diesel multiple units gradually took over from steam loco hauled trains from the later 1950s. The station was closed on 5 December 1966, with the last passenger train operating two days earlier.
leased the station site and a short length of the line from British Railways and moved some of their steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock, including guards vans, to Helmshore.
After the society had operated their locomotives at the site for a period, the railway line between Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall became available, following cessation by British Railways of passenger services on 5 June 1972. The newly available length of line was judged to have more potential for the operation of regular steam train services, and the society therefore moved their operational base to Bury. The rail track at Helmshore was subsequently lifted.
Today, Station Road occupies part of the abandoned railway track north of the erstwhile level crossing. The signal box has been converted to a dwelling house.
Helmshore
Helmshore is a village in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire, England. It is situated south of Haslingden, broadly between the A56 and the B6235, approximately 16 miles north of Manchester.- Early history :...
in Rossendale
Rossendale
Rossendale is a local government district with borough status. It is made up of a number of small former mill towns in Lancashire, England centered around the valley of the River Irwell in the industrial North West...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
between 1848 and 1966.
Construction and location
Helmshore station was built by the East Lancashire Railway 1844-1859 (ELR) and opened on 17 August 1848. The ELR was merged with the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (LYR) on 13 May 1859 and this company operated the station until the merger into the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMSR) in 1923.The station was situated just north of where the line passed over Helmshore Road on a level crossing, a few hundred yards south of the town centre. The main station buildings were on the west side of the twin-track line with more modest buildings on the eastern platform, which served trains to Bury and Manchester Victoria. Also on the east side of the tracks was a siding to the wooden goods shed and longer sidings serving the nearby Albion cotton mill.
The signal box was located just south of Helmshore Road on the eastern side of the line and the signalman also operated the level crossing gates. A footbridge linked the south end of the platforms and allowed the public to cross the line whilst the gates were shut for trains to pass.
Train services from Helmshore
The July 1922 timetable shows that the LYR operated 17 northbound and 18 southbound passenger trains that stopped at Helmshore each weekday. Most were through trains between Manchester, AccringtonAccrington
Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...
and Colne
Colne
Colne is the second largest town and civil parish in the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England, with a population of 20,118. It lies at the eastern end of the M65, 6 miles north-east of Burnley, with Nelson immediately adjacent, in the Aire Gap with two main roads leading into the Yorkshire...
. In July 1946 the LMSR operated 15 northbound and 14 southbound trains, with the 8.28 a.m. service from Colne continuing via Bury, Manchester (Victoria) and Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
(Edgeley) to London (Euston), arriving at 2.25 p.m.
By January 1956, British Railways London Midland Region were operating 15 stopping trains both north and southbound, with several trains beginning or terminating at Colne rather than Accrington. The 1956 single third class fare for the 17 miles to Manchester being 2s 8d (13p).
Diesel multiple units gradually took over from steam loco hauled trains from the later 1950s. The station was closed on 5 December 1966, with the last passenger train operating two days earlier.
East Lancashire Railway and the station site today
After the withdrawal of services on the line, the East Lancashire Railway Preservation SocietyEast Lancashire Railway
The East Lancashire Railway is a heritage railway in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, England.-Overview:After formal closure by British Rail in 1982, the line was reopened on 25 July 1987. The initial service operated between Bury and Ramsbottom, via Summerseat. In 1991 the service was extended...
leased the station site and a short length of the line from British Railways and moved some of their steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock, including guards vans, to Helmshore.
After the society had operated their locomotives at the site for a period, the railway line between Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall became available, following cessation by British Railways of passenger services on 5 June 1972. The newly available length of line was judged to have more potential for the operation of regular steam train services, and the society therefore moved their operational base to Bury. The rail track at Helmshore was subsequently lifted.
Today, Station Road occupies part of the abandoned railway track north of the erstwhile level crossing. The signal box has been converted to a dwelling house.