Rainford Village railway station

For the current station serving Rainford, see Rainford railway station.

Rainford Village railway station was a station on the railway line from Rainford Junction to St Helens, Lancashire, later Merseyside.

Contents

Opening and early history

The station was opened on 1 February 1858 by the St Helens Canal and Railway Company (SHC&R).[1] The SHC&R was absorbed by the London & North Western Railway (LNWR) on 29 July 1864.[2] From 1 January 1923 the LNWR became part of the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS). From 1858 until November 1861, the station was named 'Rainford', but it was thought this would cause confusion with Rainford Junction railway station and the word 'Village' was added.[1]

Location and facilities

Rainford Village station was located immediately north of the level crossing over Crosspit Lane. The main station building for trains to St Helens was on the east side of the twin tracks (furthest from the village centre). A lightly constructed wooden building on the opposite side of the tracks sufficed for passengers towards Rainford Junction and Ormskirk, next to which was the signalbox which controlled the level crossing gates.

Nearby railway halts

Two small lightly built railway 'halts' were constructed nearby to serve other parts of the Rainford area. Rookery Halt, adjacent to Rookery Lane, existed from 1865 until 18 June 1951. Old Mill Lane Halt one mile south of the village and adjacent to Pilkington Brothers sand washery, opened on 1 October 1911 and closed on 18 June 1951.[3]

Passenger train service

The three stations were served by local steam loco-hauled trains, some originating in Ormskirk, with others starting at Rainford Junction. In July 1922, thirteen LNWR trains left Rainford Village for St Helens (Shaw Street) each weekday, all carrying only third class passengers, first class accommodation not being provided.[4]

By July 1946, the LMS timetable showed ten weekdays passenger trains to St Helens, still described as 'one class only'.[5] British Railways took over the LMSR on 1 January 1948 and withdrew the passenger service on 18 June 1951, closing the station.[1]

Use of the line by freight trains and post-closure history

Freight trains continued to pass through the village for a few more years, before these, too, were withdrawn on 6 July 1964 and the railway line was closed and lifted. Much of the railway's route through Rainford has been converted to a 'linear park', with shorter stretches used for housing.

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b c Butt 1995, p. 193
  2. ^ Awdry 1990, p. 100
  3. ^ Butt 1995, p. 177
  4. ^ St John Thomas 1985, p. 485
  5. ^ Blacklock 1946, p. 594
Bibliography
  • Butt, R.V.J. (1995), The Directory of Railway Stations, Patrick Stephens Ltd, ISBN 1-85260-508-1 
  • Awdry, Christopher (1990), Encyclopedia of British Railway Companies, Patrick Stephens Ltd, ISBN 1-85260-508-1 
  • St John Thomas, David (1985), Bradshaws July 1922 Railway Guide, David & Charles Ltd, ISBN none 
  • Blacklock, Henry (1946), Bradshaw's Guide to the British Railways August 1946, Henry Blacklock & Co Ltd, ISBN none 
Preceding station Disused railways Following station
Hey's Crossing Halt   LNWR
St Helens Railway		   Rookery