Category Archives: Rail

Trains, trams and the like related to the region around Preston.

The Mayor of Preston Visits The Ribble Steam Railway 25th March 2023

Posted on 10 April 2023 by Pete of MIP

On Saturday 25th March 2023 the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Neil Darby visited the Ribble Steam Railway on Preston Docks.   Furness Railway Trust Loco No 20 was operating.   A triumphant piece of work by the Trust to restore a fine … Continue reading →

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A walk in Preston Centre 21st March 2023

Posted on 7 April 2023 by Pete of MIP

Another walk in the centre of Preston. A photo of the The Old Bull on Church Street.   It was once Preston’s top inn and called the Bull & Royal.  There is a well known painting in the Harris Museum & … Continue reading →

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Trains in Preston: A time of change December 2019

Posted on 1 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

On December 9th First Trenitalia, to be known as Aventi, take over the West Coast Main Line services from Virgin.   Express services between London Euston, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh via Preston are effected. Also in December new trains, … Continue reading →

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Railway Improvements – New trains and electrification Northern Rail

Posted on 28 July 2019 by Pete of MIP

Northern Rail are obtaining 101 brand new diesel and electric trains from CAF of Spain.  Many of these will be assembled in Newport, Wales.  There are also 243 ex-ScotRail diesel trains, class 158, and ex-Thameslink electric trains, class 319, being … Continue reading →

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A visit to The Ribble Steam Railway and Museum

Posted on 18 May 2019 by Pete of MIP

Saturday 27th April 2019 parked in the large car park and bought a ticket to ride and visit the Ribble Steam Railway museum and workshop on Preston Docks.    Starting in the cafe and then taking a ride before going … Continue reading →

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Wires to Bolton

Posted on 25 November 2018 by Pete of MIP

Work continues on the Preston to Bolton and Manchester electrification programme.  December 2018 was set as a new target after problems with ground conditions such as old mining works and drifts of soft sand.  Pylons for the electric cabling needed … Continue reading →

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Railway Anniversary Month and Strand Road closure

Posted on 30 August 2018 by Pete of MIP

August 1968 was the month of the last steam services.  Preston was involved in these services.   Also in August 2018 Alstom officially closed the Strand Road West Works were trams, trains and motors had been built for over a 100 … Continue reading →

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Fair Do to Northern Rail?

Posted on 16 June 2018 by Pete of MIP

Northern are getting a lot of stick for delays to trains in the North West but is it fair?  Since the new timetable came in on 20th May with the newly electrified track and new upgraded trains the system seems … Continue reading →

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Rail Electrification Next Step: April 16th

Posted on 15 April 2018 by Pete of MIP

The electrified line between Blackpool and Manchester is slowly re-opening.  Driver training is underway and limited rail services to Blackpool are being introduced as described below.   Also Bolton station will be closed on certain weekends as below. On Monday 16th … Continue reading →

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Delay to Rail Electrification to Manchester

Posted on 16 January 2018 by Pete of MIP

Network Rail announced that electric services on the route from Preston to Manchester have been delayed to December 2018 from May 2018, 7 months.   Diesel services will continue but the line will be closed at weekends until September.  Weekend Rail … Continue reading →

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Another step on the Preston Tramlink

Posted on 9 January 2018 by Pete of MIP

Preston’s tram line took another step forward this week when Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the route.  There will be a sod cutting ceremony for the tram test line in Deepdale on … Continue reading →

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Electrification Upgrade of Rail between Preston and Manchester 2017 to May 2018

Posted on 3 November 2017 by Pete of MIP

As stated on Network Rail website: Work has been undertaken on the route to assess bridges and tunnels to ensure that there is sufficient clearance for overhead power cables to be installed. To date, we have rebuilt an aqueduct, 15 road bridges, … Continue reading →

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Preston to Blackpool Rail Closure 11 Nov 2017 to 25 Mar 2018

Posted on 3 November 2017 by Pete of MIP

  As written on the Network Rail and Northern Rail websites: Better rail journeys across the north of England are coming – we’re upgrading this key route, paving the way for more reliable journeys with more space for passengers Changes … Continue reading →

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Big Transport Upgrades Around Preston

Posted on 22 October 2017 by Pete of MIP

Transport matters have heated up around Preston with both road and rail having big upgrades. On the train the electrification to Manchester and Blackpool is going into its final phase in November with the closure of the line to Blackpool … Continue reading →

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Ribble Steam Railway trains at Easter

Posted on 10 April 2017 by Pete of MIP

Ribble Steam Railway on Preston Docks will be running steam-diesel trains on Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday from 11am.  Trains every 45 minutes or thereabouts. Museum and Workshop, Shop and Cafe to enjoy as well.

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Transport Improvements all around Preston

Posted on 25 April 2016 by Pete of MIP

Trams, trains, roads are in the news. Trampower, the company who have been promoting a light rail system in Preston, are pushing to be allowed to run a one mile test track in Deepdale. This will use the old Longridge … Continue reading →

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New Roads, New Houses in and around Preston

Posted on 29 January 2016 by Pete of MIP

As part of the City Deal, Preston will get new homes in the centre at Avenham and Winckley Square, plus new homes at the north west corner. New roads including a Broughton by-pass and western link road from the M55 … Continue reading →

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What’s my train franchise, announcement for North of England

Posted on 12 December 2015 by Pete of MIP

The new rail franchises for the north of England effecting most Preston services, except Virgin, were announced this week and beginning 1st April 2016 the train operators will be: Arriva / Rail North to operate the Northern Rail Services until … Continue reading →

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Ribble Steam Railway announces its Santa Specials

Posted on 15 November 2015 by Pete of MIP

Santa will be riding on the Ribble Steam Railway Santa Specials in Preston on Saturdays and Sundays and one Monday in December 2015. Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th December 2015 Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th  December 2015 Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th, Monday … Continue reading →

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Transport Investment around Preston

Posted on 8 August 2014 by Pete of MIP

On top of the Northern Hub which will deliver electrified rail for the rail links from Preston to Manchester via Bolton and via Wigan and to Blackpool we have fresh discussion on a ‘northern powerhouse’. The Northern Powerhouse is the … Continue reading →

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