Monday, 23 November 2020

Quiz time !

 Can you estimate the date of our new addition to the Document Archive page?

Paul Kirkup has kindly supplied a scan of this interesting document:
Introducing British Railways Preston

The booklet is a description of goods and freight services available from Preston, but is undated. Perhaps the 4-digit phone numbers might offer a clue? If you have any suggestions of the when this may date from, please drop me a line!

Friday, 2 October 2020

Book : Freight Trains in the North of England

An illustrated Survey 1955-2018

As the title suggests, this new book from John Mathews covers a lot of ground - geographically and chronologically speaking. It is arranged logically by area beginning in Nottinghamshire, weaving across the country as it heads north to finish in the North East.

The book is arranged in the classic album format, which always works well if two things are true - the photos are up to scratch and the captions are of a high standard. Thankfully, both are true in this case. 

Photos come from the author and a selection of the most respected names in railway photography, and are well chosen to show the great variety of traffic which has graced the rails in the chosen period. Captions too are of a very high standard - uniformly infomative and interesting, adding context to each shot, rather than mearly describing the scene as some books seem to.

Preston features strongly in the North-West chapter along with other local spots.

All in all, this is a quality publication, printed in large-format hard-back and running to over 140 pages.

Available from the publisher or from all the usual shops and online sellers.

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Preston station’s historic glazing gets identical looking modern replacement

A major restoration project on Preston station’s glazed frontage is complete making it safe and reliable for passengers on the West Coast main line. The £600,000 Great North Rail Project investment has seen the North side of the 140-year-old station transformed with new glazing and a specially designed window frame system. Full Story on the Railcam News page.

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Preston Tram update

Reports have circulated of track clearance around the Skeffington Rd area, leading to hopes that the much delayed Guild Line is making progress. Sadly, it seems that the clearance is unconnected with the demonstration line planned on the former Deepdale / Longridge line. However, Tram Power report good progress and support from local government, leading to a higher level of confidence that the line will go ahead, in all the years since it was first proposed. Fingers crossed!