14th February 1981

David Isherwood
The Rossendale Farewell Railtour

DMU's Used 50794+59207+50761 + 50453+59161+50505

Route :

DMU Route
as listed Manchester Victoria - Cheetham Hill Jn - Thorpes Bridge Jn - Castleton East Jn
as listed Castleton East Jn - Castleton North Jn - Heywood - Bury Bolton Street - Ramsbottom - Rawtenstall
as listed Rawtenstall - Ramsbottom - Bury Bolton Street - Heywood - Castleton North Jn - Castleton South Jn - Thorpes Bridge Jn - Cheetham Hill Jn - Manchester Victoria

Notes :
(1) As name suggests this was run to mark the end of all BR services, the last freight train reported running 5th December 1980. Manchester Victoria to Bury Bolton Street via Crumpsall (later Metrolink) services ceased on 11th March 1980 after which they transferred to the new Bury Interchange opening 14th March 1980.


The farewell train is seen here crossing the flat crossing at Bury Knowsley
  Street (photo: Mark Bartlett)

Sources : Paul Griffin (on the train throughout), Greg Beecroft
& Alan Osborn (on the train throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Paul Griffin, Alan Osborn & Ian Umpleby)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Manchester Victoria 11.05d 11.09   15.30a 15.51
Cheetham Hill Jn 11/07 11/12   15/27 15/49
Thorpes Bridge Jn 11/10 11/15   15/23 15/47
Castleton East Jn 11.20 ~ 11.24 11.26 ~ 11.28  
Castleton South Jn   15/13 15.37 ~ 15.39
Castleton North Jn 11/28 11.34 ~ 11.36   15/09 15/35
Heywood LC 11/32 11.39 ~ 11.45   15/05 15.25 ~ 15.32
Bury, Trainmen's pedestals
(Knowsley Street)		 11.50 ~ 12.00 11.56 ~ 12.07   14.37 ~ 14.47 15.07 ~ 15.12
Bury Bolton Street 12.02a ~ 13.12d 12.09 ~ 13.12   14.28a ~ 14.35d 15.03 ~ 15.05
Ramsbottom LC 13/22 13p28a ~ 13p43d   14/50 14.40 ~ 14.50
Rawtenstall 13.45a 14.07   13.55d 14.21


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