Horwich Station
Horwich is most famous for the Locomotive works built by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, but it once also boasted its own terminus railway station. On 27th September 1965, however, Horwich Station fell prey to the Beeching Axe and it closed to passenger traffic (the last train left on Saturday 25th September 1965).
10617, (built 1911 at Horwich) the 'Horwich Jerk' railmotor waiting at the platform on 22nd April 1947. The railmotor, which consisted of a single carriage connected directly to a locomotive, could be driven from both ends and was used for the short journey to Blackrod Junction. Science and Society picture library have a 1925 picture of the loco without the carriage.
photo H.C.Casserley
The goods station remained open for a further three years but that too closed in 1968. The site of the station has since been transformed into a recreational area - Old Station Park.
About this Site
Since most research into railways in Horwich concentrates on the loco works, the aim of this website is to detail as much of the history of the station as possible, including the links to the main line.
An obvious difference between a book and a website is that a website is effectively always a 'work in progress', so while you will see that not all sections have been completed, equally, as new information comes to light, pages can be updated and expanded.
If you have anything to contribute, or spot any glaring errors, please let me know.
A Request for Information
While the site will obviously include lots of factual information such as photographs, maps and diagrams, I am also very interested in including people's personal memories of the station, both before and after closure.
Railtour at Horwich in the 1960s
photo Bevan Price
If you have anything you can contribute, please contact me. All material is credited unless you request otherwise.
I would be very interested in information on the following:
- Pictures of the station area following closure and prior to the creation of Old Station Park. Surely someone must have some pictures of the derelict station. Did you play on the site after it had closed?
- I have heard one rumour that someone wanted to convert the disused station buildings into a restaurant. Is this true?
- Were you involved in the campaign to reopen the station?
Ian
CALLING ALL FORMER BOLTON FOOTPLATEMEN
Many former Bolton men will vividly remember the "40th Anniversary of Closure" commemorative gathering that occurred in Preston on 30th June 2008 and when at least 40 former Bolton shed employees attended as the special guests of the Ribble Steam Railway.
40th Anniversary Closure - 30th June 2008
photo A.G.Castle
Organised by former 9K fireman and author Jim Markland (who, sadly, passed away after a long illness a day or so prior to the event) and local enthusiast Steve Leyland, the occasion proved to be so successful that more such get-togethers on a similar theme have since occurred.
As with men at most other sheds, when the steam age ended and, with it, their jobs, many made career moves that were to find them moving far from home and, consequently, out-of-touch with their friends and former workmates.
Steve now advises that a further (quite informal) gathering is currently being organised, to which, once again, all former Bolton steam men will be made especially welcome. He is particularly anxious that anyone, who is able to participate, is given the opportunity to do so. Steve is, therefore, currently establishing a mailing list in order to circulate details of any such events as soon as these become known.
Therefore, any reader of this page who does know of anyone who might not have attended previous Bolton MPD reunions, merely because they might not have been aware of them, is now invited to contact Steve and to provide details.
Steve can be contacted either c/o alan@24CLostockHallMPD.org.uk (To combat the scourge of spam-email, the address link has been changed slightly - REMOVE THE SHED CODE following the @ symbol before clicking "send")
Alternatively, telephone Steve direct on 01204-526165.