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27th May 1972

Vehicle: 50782   

The closure notices are posted and it is the last week of services on the Rawtenstall branch. A Newton Heath Cravens twin power-car DMU (M50782 and likely M50815 labelled set NH135) approaches Ewood Bridge and Edenfield from Rawtenstall on a Bury Bolton Street service on 27 May 1972. The distant signal (fixed) is for Townsend Fold level crossing just south of Rawtenstall. The line had been singled two years previously and the slew from Up to Down line can be seen behind the train. Image courtesy of Mark Bartlett. WA Camwell Collection.

27th May 1972

Vehicle: 50782   Set: NH135

A Cravens DMU pulls into Ewood Bridge on 27 May 1972, one week before closure, on a Bury Bolton Street service with Alf Davenport in the driving seat. When the line between Bury and Rawtenstall was singled three signal boxes remained to control level crossings but the distant signals for these became fixed and Alf was not impressed. "If a man needs a fixed distant he shouldn't be on the railway" he would say. Fair point Alf - proud of his craft to the end, even on this very run down shadow of a former main line. DMBS M50782 is closest, the DMCL is thought to be M50815 labelled NH135. Image courtesy of Mark Bartlett. WA Camwell Collection.

  Page 1 of 1, displaying 1-2 of 2 images