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 Horwich Fork Junction 

 

The south-facing junction from the Horwich Branch onto the main line at Blackrod was added in 1885, as part of the changes associated with the opening of the L&Y's new Locomotive Works at Horwich. Horwich Fork Junction was the last addition to the lines surrounding Blackrod and completed the triangle, allowing traffic to move between Horwich and Manchester without a reversal at Blackrod Junction.

 

Horwich Fork Junction and the junction onto the Hindley line were controlled by Horwich Fork Signalbox.

 

Howrich Fork Junction SB, visible under Red Moss bridge, taken from a Horwich - Bolton service. The Hilton House branch to Hindley can be seen leaving the main line to the right of the main lines, just beyond the signal box.

 

Photo : Alan Castle

Looking in the opposite direction, this photograph was taken from Horwich Fork SB which controlled both Horwich Fork junction (just visible under the bridge) and the Hilton House branch to Hindley which was just a few yards in the other direction. The photo shows shows a "Black 5" 45290 with a Horwich-Bolton train in May 1965, just months before the closure of Horwich.  The line from Loco Junction to Horwich Fork closed  on 31st Jan 1967 and the Hilton House line to Dobbs Brow closed on 9th Sept 1968, but the box seems to have survived until 1969, leaving Blackrod Jn. SB controlling the line as far as Lostock.

 

[Photograph by D. Hampson]

 

 

 

Photos left and below:

Brian Hilton (c) Nettletea

Prints of this and many other railway photos available here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junctions

Signals &

Signalboxes

Signalling Around Blackrod

Horwich Fork Junction

Horwich Loco Junction