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.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.

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 same direction, but taken from a position betwen Horwich Fork SB and the junction of the branch to Hilton House, this railmotor set is running from Bolton to Horwich (the loco is propelling).
Photo: Peter Fitton

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back towards the station, this photograph was taken from the same position as the previous photo.

Horwich Fork SB which controlled both Horwich Fork junction (just beyond the bridge) and the Hilton House branch to Hindley which was just a few yards in the other direction. The photo shows shows a Bolton to Horwich railmotor service, just months before the closure to passengers of the Horwich Branch. 
Photo: Peter Fitton