Bolton and Preston Railway
It was sanctioned in 1837, to run from Bolton to the North Union at Euxton Junction, whence it had running powers into Preston. It was opened thus: Bolton-Adlington, February 4th, 1841; Adlington-Chorley, December 23rd, 1841; Chorley-Euxton Juntion, June 22nd, 1843.[1]
1838, November: Advertising for tenders for Contract No. 1 for civil works extending approximately 3 miles west from Trinity Street in Bolton. [2]
1839, May: 'Bolton and Preston Railway.— The workmen are proceeding rapidly with the works on this line of railway. The rails are now laid down as far as the foot path leading up to Dean Church. Further up the valley Lady Bridge has been taken down, a temporary wooden bridge has been erected in its stead at a short distance, and the workmen are now engaged at a magnificent stone bridge on the site of the former one. The line from Bolton to Preston will be one of the most picturesque in the north of England.'[3]
1839, September: 'ACCIDENT ON THE BOLTON AND PRESTON RAILWAY — On Thursday last, a little before twelve o'clock, an accident of a most frightful kind happened at the works on the Bolton and Preston Railway at the point where the railway will join the Bolton and Manchester line. in Trinity-street, near Trinity church. A moveable crane has been erected at this spot for the purpose of removing and depositing the stones required for the side walls of a bridge, which the road wiil pass. The side walls have been completed ; at the time the accident happened, five labourers, named Michael Flanagan, Joseph Hulton, John Hibbert, James Aspinall, and John Barker, were employed in conveying, by the moveable crane, a beam of iron, for the purpose of placing it across the side walls. They had nearly accomplished their object when they were alarmed by the cracking of the supporters, beneath the ponderous beams on which they stood. This was immediately succeeded by a tremendous crash ; and the beams, the machine, and four of the men were thrown into the cavity beneath - a distance of thirty feet. They were promptly relieved from their perilous position by their fellow-workmen ; and we are happy to add that, providentially, they are all likely to recover from the shock. Flanagan is married: he escaped by leaping from the beams to the ground, on the opposite, or right, side; he was but slightly bruised. Joseph Hulton is a single man : he was much bruised, but is doing well. John Hilibert is unmarried: he was much hurt. James Aspinall, a married man, received severe injuries ; and John Barker, a single man, was slightly hurt, and is expected to work in a day or two. The sufferers were removed to the Dispensary, where every attention was paid to them; in the evening they were removed to their respective homes.— The beam they were employed in removing weighs about five tons, and is broken in three places. The "Crab," as the machine is called, was shattered to pieces. Part of the right bank was thrown down ; and the whole place had a wreck-like appearance.'[4]
1840 'BOLTON AND PRESTON RAILWAY.- This Work, at the important portion of the line which runs through the township of Great Bolton, is now nearly completed, and it is expected that an engine will travel along the line, from Bolton to Rawlinson Bridge, about a mile and a half from Chorley during the ensuing month. The key-stone of the last arch in this quarter, was inserted at the close of last week. The crossing of a street called Stable-row, near Black Horse-street. The company have built ten substantial bridges in as many streets, beneath which the railway passes, beside a tunnel, in length about one hundred and fifty yards, near the Moor-lane portion of the works. The openings which the company have made through the crowded and narrow streets of Newton, will be of essential service to the ingabitants, by greatly facilitating a free circulation of the air throughout that fetid and impure region. We understaad that company intend to open the line in January, carrng passengers throughout from Manchester, Bolton, &c., to Preston, by railway and coaches. The entire completion of the line to the point where it joins the North Union, at Euxton, is not expected to take place before August. Bolton Free Press.'[5]
In 1844 it was bought by the Northern Union Railway
See Also
Sources of Information
- Encyclopedia of British Railway Companies by Christopher Awdry. Published 1990