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25th June 1985
Vehicle: 53482
Weary commuters are carried home on the 17.19 Preston to Ormskirk service, formed of a 2-Car Class 104, with MBS M53482 leading on June 25th 1985. It has just passed Midge Hall and the driver will have collected the single line token for the section to Rufford. During this period the former main line saw three different DMU sets working evening peak-time services along the line, in the days when the passing loop was fully utilised at Rufford. This vehicle met its demise following a serious collision with Class 47 47111 at Preston on January 18th 1986 while returning from Carlisle to Accrington with a football special, when brake failure caused the unit to run through a red signal and into the path of the 47 was stood at the South side of Preston Station. The 47 was subsequently scrapped, whilst the badly damaged M53482 was taken to Dock Street Sidings at Preston. The DMU car spent a considerable time there, sheeted over, before it was scrapped on site. Martyn Hilbert.
25th June 1985
Vehicle: 54348
Passing the only semaphore signal remaining in the Preston area, a Class 101 Metro-Cammell 2-Car DMU with Driving Trailer M54348 leading, has just passed Midge Hall with a Preston to Ormskirk service on the evening of June 25th 1985. Martyn Hilbert.
26th September 1987
Vehicle: 53334
Having picked up the single-line token from the box at Midge Hall, a Class 101 power twin with 53334 closest form a Preston to Ormskirk service on 26th September 1987. Martyn Hilbert.
4th July 1985
Vehicle: 51835
Having just collected the single line token from the signal box at Midge Hall, a 2-Car Class 110 Calder Valley DMU with car 51835 leading, accelerates past the only remaining semaphore signal in the Preston area with a tea-time Preston to Ormskirk service on July 4th 1985. This particular working was a fill-in turn for a unit that had worked over the Pennines from Leeds to Preston, and brought an Eastern Region DMU set for one return trip over the Ormskirk line before heading back to Yorkshire. Martyn Hilbert.
16th May 1992
Vehicle: 54238 Set: LO296
On possibly the last occasion that a first generation DMU worked along the Preston to Ormskirk line, a Class 108 with car 54238 trailing and DMBS 53956 leading has just collected the token from the signalman at Midge Hall, whilst working from Preston to Ormskirk on May 16th 1992. The unit was deputising for a failed Class 142 Pacer. Martyn Hilbert.
16th May 1992
Vehicle: 54238 Set: LO296
Deputising for a failed Class 142 Pacer, the old order is restored probably for the last time on May 16th 1992, as a worn-looking Class 108 was working the Preston to Ormskirk services. Set LO296 formed of cars 54238 & 53956 is seen here approaching the token exchange at Midge Hall with the 09.38 Ormskirk to Preston. In the foreground are the remains of the pointwork where the double line, kept in use from Farington Curve Junction to Midge Hall until 1983, ended. The turnout onto the single line had by this date been replaced with plain rail. The worn-out disused line back towards Farington was kept in-situ for a number of years but was progressively recovered between 1988 & 1992. Martyn Hilbert.
27th May 1985
Vehicle: 51580
On a dull, overcast Bank Holiday Monday May 27th 1985, Swindon Cross Country Class 120 M51580 leads an Ormskirk to Windermere excursion through Midge Hall. The working was formed of a 3-Car Class 120 and a 2-Car Class 108. The disused platforms of Midge Hall Station, closed in October 1961 are clearly visible. When the Ormskirk line was rationalised in 1970, double track was retained from Farington Curve Junction on the WCML to Midge Hall. The former up line needed renewal by the early 1980s and was taken out of use in 1983. As a consequence, Signal MH14 at Midge Hall was relocated from the end of the old Up platform onto the middle of what had been the Up line. Martyn Hilbert.
30th May 1985
Vehicle: 51909
A Class 108 Derby Lightweight 2-Car DMU with M51909 leading, has just passed over the level crossing at Midge Hall with the 11.39 Preston to Ormskirk service on May 30th 1985. The end of the disused former Up line out of use since 1983 is visible on the right. The pointwork had been removed and plain track inserted in its place. Following rationalisation of the route in 1970, double track was retained from Farington Curve Junction to Midge Hall. Martyn Hilbert.
29th May 1985
Vehicle: 53136
Complete with its West Yorkshire PTE Metrotrain branding, a 2-Car Class 111/101 Met-Camm formed of E53136 & E54076 was working a tea-time out and back Preston to Ormskirk service on May 29th 1985, accelerating away from the single line token exchange at Midge Hall. The unit had worked a Preston to Leeds service and was utilised on the Ormskirk line as a fill-in turn before working back across the Pennines. This was the period when three different DMU sets appeared on Ormskirk services in the early evening in the days when the passing loop at Rufford was utilised to give an intensive service. Martyn Hilbert.
29th October 1983
Vehicle: 53964
With the former Goods Shed as a backdrop, A 2-Car Class 108 with Motor Brake Second M53964 leading, passes through the disused platforms of Midge Hall station whilst working a Preston to Ormskirk service on October 29th 1983. The former Up line from Farington Curve Junction on the West Coast Main Line had been taken out of use earlier in 1983. In the immediate foreground is the site of the original signal box, replaced in 1972 with a BR Type 15 structure on the Ormskirk side of the level crossing. Martyn Hilbert.
20th May 1983
Vehicle: 53475
Former Manchester/Blackpool 'White Line' Class 104, minus its centre trailer car with Motor Brake Second M53475 leading, passes Cocker Bar Farm as it runs between Midge Hall and Croston with a Preston to Ormskirk service on May 20th 1983. The Midge Hall distant signal for Northbound services is located adjacent to the farm access bridge. Martyn Hilbert.
31st March 1986
Vehicle: 54259
On Easter Monday, March 31st 1986 a brief patch of sunlight on a dull morning at Midge Hall, as a 4-Car DMU with Class 108 M54259 leading forming 2T06, a day excursion from Ormskirk to Blackpool North, passes Globe Mill with the driver preparing hand the single line token to the signalman at Midge Hall box. In the foreground is the disconnected former Up line taken out of use in 1983. The rear set is a Class 104. Martyn Hilbert.
25th July 1985
Vehicle: 51901
Having handed over the single-line token the signalman returns to the box at Midge Hall, as Class 108 M51901 accelerates onwards with the 13.09 Preston to Ormskirk service on July 25th 1985. To the right is the severed former up line, taken out of use between Midge Hall and Farington Curve Junction in 1983. Martyn Hilbert.
8th March 1986
Vehicle: 54261
With Globe Mill at Midge Hall in the background, a 2-Car Class 108 with M54261 leading, passes over Narrow Lane Crossing whilst forming the 10.09 Preston to Ormskirk service on March 8th 1986. Martyn Hilbert.
5th April 1986
Vehicle: 53812
On an overcast April 5th 1986 the Cravens/Gloucester twin formed of cars M53812 & M53355 accelerates away from Midge Hall whilst working the 16.07 Ormskirk to Preston. The odd pairing was due to these two cars being the last serviceable asbestos-free examples of their respective classes. Martyn Hilbert.
16th May 1992
Vehicle: 54238 Set: LO296
Substituting for the non-availablity of a class 142, a Class 108 2-Car DMU returned to its old stamping ground on 16th May 1992. With car 54238 leading, 53956 behing, the 08.21 Ormskirk to Preston Service has just returned the single-line token at Midge Hall signalbox. The unit is about to pass through the derelict platforms of the former station, closed in 1961. This was possibly the last occasion when a Class 108 worked along here - possibly also the last visit of a first generation DMU. Martyn Hilbert.
30th August 1979
Vehicle: 50944
A Class 108 two-car DMU with DMBS M50944 leading, accelerates away from Midge Hall with an Ormskirk to Preston service on August 30th 1979. The brick structure visible to the right of the DMU is the gable-end of the former Goods Shed at the long-closed Midge Hall station. The station closed in 1960 and there have been long-running campaigns to have the station re-opened as the Western fringe of a developed Leyland has almost reached this location. In 1979 the former Up Line along here was still in use, single track commencing just South of the level crossing seen in the far-distance, where a VW Camper is passing over the line. Martyn Hilbert.
26th November 1985
Vehicle: 54273
With Globe Mill at Midge Hall dominating the background, A two-car Derby built Class 108 DMU formed of cars 54273 & 53940 had returned to its old stamping ground as it approached Narrow Lane occupation crossing (Midge Hall), whilst working a Preston to Ormskirk service on November 26th 1985. Martyn Hilbert.
16th May 1992
Vehicle: 53956 Set: LO296
Standing-in for a failed Class 142 Pacer, the old order returned to the Ormskirk line for possibly the last time on May 16th 1992. A scabby looking Class 108 formed of cars 53956 & 54238 (LO296) was passing through the long-closed platforms at Midge Hall whilst working the 12.23 Preston to Ormskirk service. Martyn Hilbert.
1st March 1986
Vehicle: 54218
With the barriers down across Midge Hall Lane, a West Yorkshire PTE Metrotrain branded Class 101 two-car DMU with Driving Trailer 54218 leading, was slowing to collect the single-line token from the signalbox at Midge Hall on March 1st 1986. The unit was working the 10.09 Preston to Ormskirk service and was running along one of the surviving platforms (complete with its derelict buildings, and rear goods shed in industrial use), that closed in 1961. With much development having taken place nearby since the 1980's, there has been an active ongoing campaign to have the station re-opened here. Martyn Hilbert.
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