September 1848: When the First Train Pulled into Burnley

Burnley grew rapidly between 1848, when the railway arrived, and the 1890s. In this article OS maps are used to show the rapid growth of railway infrastructure.

Burnley’s first railway station was Burnley Westgate (which opened on 18th September 1848 and later became Burnley Barracks). Notably, the station was a temporary terminus that was used until Burnley Viaduct was completed along with the line to Colne.

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The Birth of Burnley Westgate (1848)

In the 1840s railway mania was at its height, and Lancashire had its fair share of schemes. Notably, railway mania was an early speculative bubble, where the price of railway shares kept rising, encouraging more investment until the share price collapsed. Indeed, in 1846 alone, 263 acts of parliament were passed authorising railways.

The East Lancashire Railway built the line between Accrington and Burnley. However, Burnley Westgate Station only operated as the line terminus for four months. It was then closed. Consequently, it should be noted that rapid industrial development in the area led to it being reopened in 1851 as Burnley Barracks station.

Building the line

The line from Accrington to Burnley was 5 1/2 miles long. Construction began with the building of the Accrington viaduct. Interestingly, the viaduct gave much trouble and had to be rebuilt in 1866. This resulted in a horse bus replacement service between Huncoat and Accrington for 18 months!

Huncoat station also opened in 1848 and was just a small halt at the time.

However, by the 1890s, there was a colliery and brickworks on the site. There was also a siding leading to the colliery and a level crossing for Enfield Road.

Opening day and the type of trains used by the East Lancashire Railway

Opening day for the Accrington to Burnley section of the line was the 18th of September, 1848.

Trains at the time were crude with wooden carriages and relatively small locomotives. The coaches had four wheels and looked similar to stagecoaches.

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Burnley Viaduct & The Rise of Bank Top Station

By February 1849 the 15-arch Burnley viaduct was completed, and the line to Colne opened. Burnley Bank Top Station, now Burnley Central, became a large complex by the 1890s.

Later the station at Burnley Bank Top became a major freight centre.

The decline and fall of a railway monster.

Today the area has been completely redeveloped and the station renamed Burnley Central. Rather than the railway, the M65 motorway is now the primary means of moving goods. Moreover, the line was singled in the 1980s, and the station was rebuilt.

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Sadly the line now terminates at Colne, with the link to Yorkshire having been severed in the early 1970s. However, there is a campaign to reopen the line.