Life in Victorian Preston - Book Launch

David Hindle has been responsible for a number of excellent local railway books over the last few years. His latest offering isn't an out-and-out railway title, but will still be of interest to anyone with a wider interest in Preston's history. The book does include chapters on the Transport of Victorian Preston, so will cover the railway and tram systems that existed at that time.
With Christmas looming, I'm sure the book will do well. It can be purchased on-line - or you could pick a copy up at the book launch at Waterstones in Preston on Saturday 29th November.

Preston Trams... Back from the dead?

Just as everyone was writing it off, it seems that Preston City Council have shown some interest in the scheme being proposed by Tram Power Ltd. The company attended a Planning meeting last week at which its proposal to re-open part of the former Longridge branch through Deepdale, was expected to be refused. However, instead of finally quashing the scheme, a number of councilors expressed support for the ambitious plan, seemingly swayed by the environmental benefits and news of £25m of funding which Tram Power has secured.

An early motion to approve the application wasn't allowed to go forward, due to insufficient information being provided, but Tram Power have been given until December to fill the gaps, at which point the application will be considered.

The plan under discussion forms the first stage of a vision which would see trams on Preston's streets again, beginning with the line linking Deepdale Retail Park with the City, via the Longridge / Deepdale branch trackbed and terminating at the former site of Deepdale St Coal Depot, where the tram-shed would also be sited.

BlogPreston

Northern Loco-Hauled Services

It seems that Northern will be hiring in locos and Mk2 coaches from DRS to cover an extra diagram for shoppers on Saturdays between now and Christmas - 8th November to 20th December.
Locos are likely to be class 57, which will work several services on each day - see our Timetables / Gen page for times...

End of the Line for Preston Trams?

From Railway Herald Issue 430:
Signs are increasingly likely that the proposed tram scheme for Preston will not proceed.
Plans were lodged with Preston City Council earlier this year by Tram Power Ltd, to use part of the old Deepdale branch as the first section of a new city tram network.
It is understood that several objections were raised, including comments from Lancashire County Council's Highways Officers, who said that the tramway would impact on the highway network, adding that there were concerns over safety issues regarding the line.
The application is to be debated by the planning committee at a meeting on 3rd November.

1964 - The Last Summer of the Duchesses

A new book by Alan Castle has been published by Atkinson Publications, who have also been responsible for a number of Preston-related railway books in recent years.
The new book, as the title suggests, chronicles the final weeks of the reign of the Princess Coronation Class locomotives on North West metals.

More information here

Fellsman 2014 Timings

The Fellsman season starts on Wednesday 18th June. Here are the timings for the Preston Area.

Outward
Lancaster 0808
Garstang & Catteral 0824
Preston 0838-0845
Farington Curve Jn 0849
Lostock Hall Jn 0852

Return:
Lostock Hall Jn 1951
Farington Curve Jn 1957
Preston 2002-2004
Garstang & Catteral 2015
Lancaster 2028

See our Timetables page for full details of the Fellsman and other tours / ECS etc

DELTIC photo shoot

For those of us who missed the previous chance to photograph DELTIC DP1 during the night-shoot last year, there will be another opportunity on at the RSR 5th April, courtesy Lure of Steam Photographic Events.

More Information