Lancashire Day Ranger

The Day Ranger fixtures during the winter are generally popular with members as most of the day is spent in a warm train rather than on a cold platform, although this year it has been more a case of escaping the wet rather than the cold. Having said that, the rain in fact held off for most of the day.

Six members convened at Manchester Piccadilly station between 9:00 and 9:30am, which for the Malvern contingent required rising at the crack of sparrows, but our enthusiasm knows no bounds! The fixture was organised just in time to avoid the nine-day closure of twelve of Piccadilly’s fourteen platforms for track and signalling updates costing £7.9 million.

The plan was to travel via Bolton and Blackburn in order to reach the ends of branch lines at Clitheroe and Colne, and thereafter travel to Blackpool North via Preston. The main cause of concern over the itinerary was an unavoidable 5-minute  change of trains at Blackburn in order to reach Colne; sure enough, our train from Clitheroe to Blackburn was exactly 5 minutes late, and the Blackburn to Colne train was precisely on time. Had there not been a platform change involving the underpass, we might have made it, but it was not to be. The solution was simple; the abandonment of Colne for this fixture allowed us a longer stay at Blackpool to visit the front and enjoy the trams.

Apart from that, all trains ran to time, and everyone got home without any major delays. Although this had not been designed as a “spotting day” in particular, we were treated to freight workings at Manchester and Blackburn in addition to the usual local units especially of classes 150, 156, 195, 323 and 331.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day out for all who took part, and particular thanks to our leader who organised the trip but could not participate himself due to ill-health. Get well soon, Alan!