DMU Operations: London Midland Region

Bury - Bacup

DMUs took over the Bury Bolton Street - Bacup trains on the 6th February 1956, with the weekday services doubled to 35-37 a day instead of the former 16 to 19. Cheap fares were introduced, and it was quoted that the new these changes gave the line its biggest transformation since it opened up the Rossendale Valley to trade and industry some 110 years previously.

Metro-Cammell "Lightweights" allocated to Bury depot (26D) were used at the launch, joined by a Derby Lightweight from July 1956. Later Cravens units were also used.

The Rawtenstall to Bacup section closed on 5 December 1966 with the last trains running on Saturday 3 December. The Bury - Rawtenstall section closed to passengers in June 1972.

Sample Timetables

6th February to 9th June 1956

Cover only shown

Commencing 17th June 1957

Bury Diesel Car Workings

This included the Bury - Bacup diagrams. PDF Download (1mb).

16th September 1957 until further notice

4 3/4" x 6 1/2"

12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961

Cover only shown

12th June to 10th September 1961

Cover only shown

6th January 1964 to 14th June 1964

4 3/4" x 6 1/2"

The services were also included on a Manchester Victoria, Bury, Bacup and Accrington timetable.

11th Sept. 1961 to 17th June 1962

This measured 5 1/4" x 7" when folded.

18th June to 9th September, 1962

This measured 5 3/8" x 7" when folded.

10th September, 1962 to 16th June, 1963

Cover only shown
 

Scan courtesy of Mike Ashworth, more of the timetable can be seen on his flickr.

18th April, 1966 to 5th March, 1967

Cover only shown
 

---

circa mid-1960s

A Met-Camm "Lightweight" DMU in Bacup station circa mid-1960s. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.