Ormskirk Branch Line
Encyclopedia
The Ormskirk Branch Line is a railway line in Lancashire
, England
, running between Preston and Ormskirk
. The train service is operated by Northern Rail
. The line is the northern section of the former Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway
; the line from Ormskirk to Liverpool is now part of Merseyrail
's Northern Line
. Prior to the introduction of the 1970-71 London Midland Region timetable, it was a secondary main line from Liverpool to Scotland, Blackpool, and Yorkshire. From May 4th 1970, however, the line was severed at Ormskirk. Ironically, with express trains now eliminated, stopping services at the village stations en-route were actually improved, and have retained a similar frequency to this day.
at Farington Curve Jn by Track Circuit Block signalling regulations until Midge Hall signal box
. From here until Rufford signal box, the trains are signalled by Electric Token
Block regulations, and from Rufford to Ormskirk the train is signalled by One Train Working with Train Staff regulations. If at any time there is a problem with either the token machine or track circuit
s showing occupied, then pilotman working must be implemented.
In 1969, the Labour
Minister of Transport
Richard Marsh
refused to agree to British Railways request to withdraw passenger services between Ormskirk and Preston, and to close the stations at , and .
Nonetheless, the line was singled with the removal of the old Down Main between Midge Hall and Omskirk in the summer of 1970, and from Midge Hall to Preston in the early 1980s. Prior to 1972, local trains ran via Moss Lane Junction, Lostock Hall and Todd Lane Junction into the ELR side of Preston station, but these were diverted via Farington Curve Junction following the closure of the East Lancs route into Preston in April 1972.
. This could be accompanied by the reopening of Midge Hall
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, running between Preston and Ormskirk
Ormskirk
Ormskirk is a market town in West Lancashire, England. It is situated north of Liverpool city centre, northwest of St Helens, southeast of Southport and southwest of Preston.-Geography and administration:...
. The train service is operated by Northern Rail
Northern Rail
Northern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
. The line is the northern section of the former Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway
Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway
The Liverpool, Ormskirk & Preston Railway was formed in 1846. It was purchased by the East Lancashire Railway. Today the line still operates, with the section between Liverpool and Ormskirk forming part of Merseyrail's Northern Line and the section between Ormskirk and Preston forming Northern...
; the line from Ormskirk to Liverpool is now part of Merseyrail
Merseyrail
Merseyrail is a train operating company and commuter rail network in the United Kingdom, centred on Liverpool, Merseyside. The network is predominantly electric with diesel trains running on the City Line. Two City Line branches are currently being electrified on the overhead wire AC system with...
's Northern Line
Northern Line (Merseyrail)
The Northern Line is one of the two commuter rail lines operated by Merseyrail in Merseyside, England. The other line is the Wirral Line. A third line of the Merseyrail Network, the City Line, is not owned or operated by Merseyrail, although funded by Merseytravel.The Northern Line passes...
. Prior to the introduction of the 1970-71 London Midland Region timetable, it was a secondary main line from Liverpool to Scotland, Blackpool, and Yorkshire. From May 4th 1970, however, the line was severed at Ormskirk. Ironically, with express trains now eliminated, stopping services at the village stations en-route were actually improved, and have retained a similar frequency to this day.
Signalling
The line is controlled by Preston Power Signal Box (PSB) from where it leaves the West Coast Main LineWest Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
at Farington Curve Jn by Track Circuit Block signalling regulations until Midge Hall signal box
Signal box
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
. From here until Rufford signal box, the trains are signalled by Electric Token
Token (railway signalling)
In railway signalling, a token is a physical object which a locomotive driver is required to have or see before entering onto a particular section of single track. The token is clearly endorsed with the name of the section it belongs to...
Block regulations, and from Rufford to Ormskirk the train is signalled by One Train Working with Train Staff regulations. If at any time there is a problem with either the token machine or track circuit
Track circuit
A track circuit is a simple electrical device used to detect the absence of a train on rail tracks, used to inform signallers and control relevant signals.- Principles and operation :...
s showing occupied, then pilotman working must be implemented.
In 1969, the Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
Minister of Transport
Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport is the member of the cabinet responsible for the British Department for Transport. The role has had a high turnover as new appointments are blamed for the failures of decades of their predecessors...
Richard Marsh
Richard Marsh, Baron Marsh
Richard William Marsh, Baron Marsh PC was an English politician and business executive.Marsh was educated at Woolwich Polytechnic and was elected as Labour Party Member of Parliament for Greenwich at the 1959 general election...
refused to agree to British Railways request to withdraw passenger services between Ormskirk and Preston, and to close the stations at , and .
Nonetheless, the line was singled with the removal of the old Down Main between Midge Hall and Omskirk in the summer of 1970, and from Midge Hall to Preston in the early 1980s. Prior to 1972, local trains ran via Moss Lane Junction, Lostock Hall and Todd Lane Junction into the ELR side of Preston station, but these were diverted via Farington Curve Junction following the closure of the East Lancs route into Preston in April 1972.
Future
There have been several proposals to extend the Merseyrail electric service to Preston using this line. This would restore the most direct Liverpool - Preston route. The reinstatement of the Burscough Curves has been proposed which would allow services to SouthportSouthport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
. This could be accompanied by the reopening of Midge Hall
Midge Hall railway station
Midge Hall railway station was located in Midge Hall, Leyland, closing to passengers in 1961, although the line still exists as the Ormskirk Branch Line.-History:...