The Great Harwood Loop Line

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The Great Harwood Loop Line opened for passengers in September 1877. The Line was reputedly the most expensive ever built by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. This was due to the awkward terrain and the need for major bridges and embankments. For example Martholme viaduct collapsed during construction and had to be rebuilt. There is also a large embankment from Great Harwood to the viaduct.

Background to the line

Great Harwood had many mills by the mid 19th century. However the town was not served by a railway. Consequently the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway began constructing a line from Blackburn to Rose Grove. The line passed through Great Harwood, Simonstown and Padiham before joining the Accrington to Colne line at Rose Grove.

The Parliamentary Bill to build the line had passed in 1866. However construction did not begin until 1870 and it took seven long years to complete.

Building the line

The Great Harwood Loop line began construction in Great Harwood. Here a cutting had to be dug From close to Blackburn to the station. There was also a bridge over Whalley road not to mention an awkward skew bridge that crossed Heys Lane . This bridge was demolished in the late 1980’s. Moreover 680,000 cubic yards of earth had to moved from the cuttings to build the embankments towards Simonstone.

Opening of the line

The line opened from Padiham to Rose Grove in 1875, two years before the whole line was completed. More delays were caused when a land slip near Great Harwood station took the track, signalling and 55 ft of embankment with it. This took six months to repair. The whole line finally opened in September 1877.

The stations

There were only three stations on the nine mile route. These were at Great Harwood , Simonstone and Padiham.

The sidings at Great Harwood Station were added to over the years and one was build to feed coal to the gas works across Heys Lane. This produced coal or town gas by heating coal without air. Martholme colliery was just down the line. The site of the goods yard is now mostly industrial units. Interestingly, In the image below, you can still see the circular gas holder foundations.

Closure

The line closed to passengers in 1957. However goods trains and diversions continued on until 1965. At this time Great Harwood Station was demolished. Moreover, one of the lines was lifted. The other line was used occasionally until 1967.

More on Great Harwood Here.