Hest Bank North Junction
Encyclopedia
Hest Bank North Junction is a railway junction in Lancashire
where the Morecambe Branch Line
joins the former LNWR
line (now the WCML
) in the down direction between Lancaster
and Carnforth
. It is also known as Morecambe North Junction. This line is currently being considered to become a community railway
. Hest Bank railway station
was situated here until its closure on 3 February 1969. Little trace of the old station remains, the platforms having been demolished prior to the electrification of the line in 1973. It is also the only location on the entire 401 mile (643 km) WCML where the coastline and Irish Sea is visible from the railway.
This junction, along with Hest Bank South Junction
and Bare Lane Junction forms a triangular junction with the WCML. This junction is controlled from Preston Power Signal Box, although the former signal box remains to supervise a pair of level crossing
s here and at Bolton-Le-Sands.
The station was the location of a serious accident in 1965, when a broken rail led to the derailment at speed of a southbound sleeping car express. There were no fatalities, although eleven passengers were injured.
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
where the Morecambe Branch Line
Morecambe Branch Line
The Morecambe Branch Line is a railway line in Lancashire, England, from Lancaster to Morecambe and Heysham where services connect with the ferry service to Douglas on the Isle of Man. To reach Heysham, trains must reverse at Morecambe....
joins the former LNWR
London and North Western Railway
The London and North Western Railway was a British railway company between 1846 and 1922. It was created by the merger of three companies – the Grand Junction Railway, the London and Birmingham Railway and the Manchester and Birmingham Railway...
line (now the WCML
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
) in the down direction between Lancaster
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
and Carnforth
Carnforth
- References :...
. It is also known as Morecambe North Junction. This line is currently being considered to become a community railway
Community rail
In the United Kingdom, a community rail line is a local railway which is specially supported by local organisations. This support is usually through a Community Rail Partnerships – comprising both the railway operator, local councils and other community organisations – or sometimes by...
. Hest Bank railway station
Hest Bank railway station
Hest Bank railway station was a former railway station opened by the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway a short distance north of Lancaster. The line was authorised in 1844 and a station was proposed for Hest Bank the following year. It opened in 1846 along with the line...
was situated here until its closure on 3 February 1969. Little trace of the old station remains, the platforms having been demolished prior to the electrification of the line in 1973. It is also the only location on the entire 401 mile (643 km) WCML where the coastline and Irish Sea is visible from the railway.
This junction, along with Hest Bank South Junction
Hest Bank South Junction
Hest Bank South Junction is a railway junction in Lancashire where the Morecambe Branch Line joins the former LNWR line in the up direction between Lancaster and Carnforth. It is also known as Morecambe South Junction...
and Bare Lane Junction forms a triangular junction with the WCML. This junction is controlled from Preston Power Signal Box, although the former signal box remains to supervise a pair of level crossing
Level crossing
A level crossing occurs where a railway line is intersected by a road or path onone level, without recourse to a bridge or tunnel. It is a type of at-grade intersection. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion...
s here and at Bolton-Le-Sands.
The station was the location of a serious accident in 1965, when a broken rail led to the derailment at speed of a southbound sleeping car express. There were no fatalities, although eleven passengers were injured.