Westhead Halt railway station

Westhead Halt railway station was on the Skelmersdale branch,[1] which ran from Ormskirk to Rainford Junction via Skelmersdale. Most trains ran beyond Rainford Junction through to St Helens.[2]

Westhead Halt
Remains of the railway bridge at Westhead Halt (2017)
General information
LocationWesthead
England
Coordinates53.565569°N 2.848793°W / 53.565569; -2.848793
Grid referenceSD438080
PlatformsTwo
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyLancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Pre-groupingLancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Post-groupingLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
1 July 1906 (1906-07-01)Opened
18 June 1951Closed to passengers

The station was situated on Castle Lane, Westhead, near Ormskirk. It opened on 1 July 1906 and closed on 18 June 1951. The line through the station was lifted in the 1960s and the station has been demolished, though the trackbed can easily be found.

Services

In July 1922 16 "Up" (southbound) trains called at the station on weekdays, with an extra on Saturday evenings. All originated at Ormskirk, several with connections from Southport. Ten Up trains called on Sundays. All trains continued to Rainford Junction where a few terminated, the majority continuing all stations to St Helens. The "Down" (northbound) service was similar.[3]

The trains all consisted of "Motor Cars – One class only". 'Motor Cars' did not have its modern meaning, but consisted of a single railway coach joined to a dedicated steam locomotive. Their generic type is summarised in L&YR railmotors. Photographs appear in Bob Pixton's work on the line.[4]

In 1951 the Up service consisted of nine trains on weekdays with four extra on Saturdays, one of which terminated at Skelmersdale. The rolling stock was "Third Class Only". Of the nine trains five continued past Rainford Junction, all stations to St Helens. Eight trains called on Sundays, plying between Ormskirk and Rainford Junction only. The Down service was similar. As was often the case with such local services, these trains acquired a nickname – "The Skem Dodger".[5]

All local trains plying between Ormskirk and St Helens called at Rainford Junction, entailing a reverse. None used the 'direct line' between Bushey Lane Junction[6] and Randle Junction[7] which formed the third side of the triangle shown on the route diagram. That stretch was the preserve of goods trains, diversions and occasional specials.[8]

Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Skelmersdale
Line and station closed		   Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Skelmersdale Branch		   Ormskirk
Line closed, station open

References
  1. Route mileages via railwaycodes.org.uk
  2. Smith & Turner 2012, Map 45
  3. Bradshaw 1985, p. 485
  4. Pixton 1996, pp 87-90 & 101
  5. Pixton 1996, p. 91
  6. Pixton 1996, p. 92
  7. Pixton 1996, p. 98
  8. Pixton 1996, p. 102

Sources
  • Bradshaw, George (1985) [July 1922]. Bradshaw's General Railway and Steam Navigation guide for Great Britain and Ireland: A reprint of the July 1922 issue. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-8708-5. OCLC 12500436.
  • Pixton, Bob (1996), The Archive Photographs Series Widnes and St Helens Railways, Stroud: The Chalford Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0-7524-0751-7
  • Smith, Paul; Turner, Keith (2012), Railway Atlas Then and Now, Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing, ISBN 978-0-7110-3695-6
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