Hi Thomas.
Sorry I have not been in touch before now, but I hope you saw my Post about the Blackpool in the Steam forum- Blackpool Branches last week
I was recommended to see your work, and I was VERY much impressed.
And then I notice that we are BOTH Harrisons lol.
A small world; especially as I live in Fleetwood, and was a Relief Signalman until forced to retire early by injuries in 1988. I covered everything between Blackpool No 1 Box and Weeton.
My original Post is below, but I was wondering if I could help in any way with information with your Blackpool Preston route. Perhaps we could meet up.
my e-mail is
jackharrison707@yahoo.co.ukChat soon I hope.
Jack
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My apologies if I missed any relevant discussion or news on this topic, but can anyone tell me if there are plans to create the line between Blackpool North (& South), and Preston. (Possibly even including the old Wyre Dock branch to Fleetwood. Given the importance of this line for various historical and other reasons, I feel it would be a great project to undertake and would be popular, again for various reasons, to a range of player's interests.
Many may know of the historical use of Fleetwood, as part of the original London to Glasgow route. And the old connection between London Euston and the Nth Euston Hotel in Fleetwood; and the use of a steamer to Ardrossen to complete the original route.
I was a Relief Signalman on that area between 1979-1988, and I worked all of the Signal boxes and crossings, from Blackpool No 1, to Weeton. (There was more mice there than Signalmen and water had to come from the nearby churchyard, or dropped off by passing Locos). LOL.
My Rosters included the Wyre an Blackpool Sth branches.
I would be more than willing to share my knowledge and experience in producing such a Route Product. Finally- I kept a personal record of Locomotives that passed whichever Signal box that I worked each day, especially between 1980 to 82. I can well remember recording the dear old 40-145 which I handled many times. I have many unusual yet true stories about those years and have often thought of writing a book.
Some Saturday nights, I never knew what time I would get away, because of the large number of Illuminations Specials, and related light engines.
PLEASE- can someone help with this subject?
Jack D. Harrison.
PS_ Whilst working Poulton No 3 Box, I was visited by various train crew and others, to watch the weekday Target Shunt 6L79. They told me they came to watch, as it was "...an interesting shunt"; usually made up of Caustic Soda tanks and coal for Blackpool Nth. As well as the regular Oil, paraffin Wax, and Chlorine trains.
Jack.