Burnley Barracks Railway Station

 Burnley Barracks is a railway station on the East Lancashire Line. It is a request stop and offers a card only ticket machine and basic shelter as its only facilities. It has step free access but no car parking facilities other than on street parking. The station being only a request stop, 1 of 4 on the East Lancashire line is not a busy station although in the last full year of passenger figures 2020/21 attracted 9316, the previous 4 years averaging 21561 per annum, a drop in numbers of 12245.

The station became a request stop on the 14th May 2012, this means you have to inform the ticket inspector you would like to get off the train, or give a clear signal to the driver you would like to board. On the day I visited this was the busiest station of the 8 on the East Lancashire I visited with 3 passengers boarding and 2 alighting the train. The stations close location to both Rose Grove a few hundred metres east, and Burnley Central a few hundred metres west has Barracks earmarked for closure should the lines connection with Skipton and upgrade of the line come to fruition.

Colne bound training just leaving. It would 45 minutes before another train passed through the station.
There is 1 train in each direction approx. every hour.

Burnley Barracks opened on the 18th September 1848, it was the temporary terminus of the line yet to be completed to Colne and known as Burnley Westgate. In February 1849 the station was closed as the line was completed and there it's story was supposed to end, however development of the local area in to housing, industry and an army barracks led to Burnley Westgate reopening in September 1851, taking its name from the nearby cavalry barracks. The station opened as a 2 platform stop connected by a footbridge that dealt on the whole with just passengers, the nearby stations Rose Grove and Bank Top (Burnley Central) handling the goods traffic. The former eastbound platform remains although this is now largely overgrown and not visible, this was taken out of use when the line was singled beyond Rose Grove Station in 1986.

The army barracks closed in December 1898, and slum clearances of the local area in the 1960's and 70's led to declining passenger numbers, the construction of the nearby M65 motorway contributing to this too. The station has seen a steady rise of passenger use in recent years with new housing developments and peoples reluctance to use the car increasing.

There are a total of 5 pictures I took around the station, they can be seen here or on Clickasnap where they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked. Copies can be purchased there too if required.

The entrance sign to the station

The station looking west from the end of the platform. Despite Junction Street Bridge (Foreground)
and Padiham Road Bridge (Background) passing over the station, the 2 platforms were connected
by a wooden passenger bridge sighted between the 2. I assume this was removed when the line
was singled in the 1980's, but it may have been earlier as there is evidence on another site entrance
just off Junction Street Bridge.

The station looking eastward (towards Colne) from the end of the platform. The stations only
facilities are the shelter seen before the bridge and a ticket machine to my right
just out of shot.

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Vintage Railway Posters of the World.

Currently sorting through my collection of images that I have acquired over the years trying to find stuff to do with them and found over 200 vintage railway posters. I have taken an initial 26 from them and turned them in to a slideshow - video, which can now be viewed both here and on YouTube. The posters are mainly from the United Kingdom but there are also posters from other parts of the world.

I purchased many of my images copyright free and as far as I am aware that is the case with these. if I am misinformed I will remove them if asked by the copyright holder.

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Ribblehead: A Station Reborn in the Shadow of Giants

The Yorkshire Dales, a landscape sculpted by time and nature, holds many hidden gems. One of the most captivating is Ribblehead Railway Station. Nestled a stone's throw from the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, this station tells a story of resilience, restoration, and the enduring allure of the Settle to Carlisle line.

Imagine arriving at Ribblehead. The sheer scale of the viaduct, its 24 arches stretching across the valley, is breathtaking. But turn your gaze, and you'll find a station steeped in history, a testament to the railway's enduring impact on this remote corner of England.

Opened in 1876, Ribblehead was a vital stop on the Settle to Carlisle Railway, connecting communities and facilitating trade through the rugged terrain. For nearly a century, passengers alighted here, their journeys framed by the dramatic backdrop of the Dales. However, as with many rural stations, the rise of the motor car led to a decline in passenger numbers. In May 1970, Ribblehead Station closed its doors, seemingly consigned to history.

The station's fate seemed sealed. The north platform was demolished to make way for a transfer siding, and the southern platform succumbed to the relentless march of time, falling into disrepair. Yet, the story doesn't end there.

The Settle to Carlisle line, a feat of Victorian engineering, held a special place in the hearts of railway enthusiasts. In 1986, a glimmer of hope emerged when British Rail reopened the southbound platform to passenger traffic. This marked the beginning of Ribblehead's remarkable revival.

The momentum continued. In 1993, a brand-new northbound platform was constructed and opened, restoring the station's functionality. But the restoration didn't stop at the platforms. The station buildings, once derelict, were meticulously restored, a labour of love completed in 2000.

Today, Ribblehead Railway Station is operated by the dedicated volunteers of the Settle and Carlisle Trust. Their passion has breathed new life into this historic site, transforming it into a welcoming hub for visitors.

Stepping onto the platform, you can almost hear the echoes of the past, the steam whistles, and the bustle of Victorian travellers. The restored buildings offer a glimpse into the station's former glory, while the surrounding landscape remains as awe-inspiring as ever.

Whether you're a railway enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a scenic escape, a visit to Ribblehead Railway Station is a must. It's a place where history and nature intertwine, a testament to the power of preservation, and a reminder of the enduring magic of the Settle to Carlisle line.

The pictures were taken on the 4th April 2015 with a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera. Clicking any image below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.