Burscough Curves
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| Burscough Curves | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Status | Closed |
| Locale | Lancashire |
| History | |
| Closed | July 1969 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
53°36′17″N 2°50′19″W / 53.604823°N 2.838668°W The Burscough Curves were railway curves in Lancashire, England, that connected the Ormskirk branch line with the Manchester–Southport line. They formed a vital link for passengers and freight between Southport, Preston, and Ormskirk. The curves were gradually closed and lifted between the 1960s and early 1980s as part of nationwide rail restructuring.[1]
During the rail restructuring of the 1960s and 1970s, the "Burscough Curves", which formed a link between the Ormskirk-Preston and Southport-Wigan lines were removed, although the formation survives. The North Curve was taken out of use and severed in July 1969, being lifted in 1973: it was last used for a Saturdays only empty train from Blackpool to Southport.[2] The South Curve was singled in 1970, but remained in use to serve the extensive sidings at the MOD depot located just to the north of Burscough Junction station. It saw its last train in 1982.
The passenger service from Ormskirk to Burscough Junction and on to Southport, which used the southern curve, was withdrawn in 1962, as shown in the British Rail London Midland Region Timetable of that year.