The Garstang to Knott End Railway

[rogerfarnworth]

In January 2020, my wife and I stayed, once again, to the Southeast of the City of Lancaster and explored the area between the Line estuary and the Wyre estuary. It is a superb area for watching overwintering birds! 

 

It gave me another opportunity to look at railways in the area. After a visit in November 2019 when I explored the Glasson Dock branch, this time I took the chance to explore the railway which linked Knott End at the mouth of the River Wyre with the West Coast mainline near Garstang.

 

The first of two articles can be read by following the link below. ....

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2020/01/28/the-garstang-and-knott-end-railway-part-1

 

The area across the River Wyre from Fleetwood was, for many years, quite isolated. There was a ferry across the river to Fleetwood, which still operates in the 21st century, otherwise, narrow un-metalled roads had to suffice.

 

The local community, particularly those with agricultural interests, were determined to have a railway. The line was built between Garstang and Pilling by those local agricultural interests to develop unproductive land. It had been intended to continue to Knott End but the company ran out of money. It eventually opened between Garstang and Pilling in 1870.

[PenrithBeacon]

1 hour ago, rogerfarnworth said:

In January 2020, my wife and I stayed, once again, to the Southeast of the City of Lancaster and explored the area between the Line estuary and the Wyre estuary. It is a superb area for watching overwintering birds! 

 

It gave me another opportunity to look at railways in the area. After a visit in November 2019 when I explored the Glasson Dock branch, this time I took the chance to explore the railway which linked Knott End at the mouth of the River Wyre with the West Coast mainline near Garstang.

 

The first of two articles can be read by following the link below. ....

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2020/01/28/the-garstang-and-knott-end-railway-part-1

 

 

 

http://www.cumbrianrailways.org.uk/books.html

This book is an excellent source of information about the. G&NE Rly

Cheers

[rogerfarnworth]

On 28/01/2020 at 17:22, PenrithBeacon said:

http://www.cumbrianrailways.org.uk/books.html

This book is an excellent source of information about the. G&NE Rly

Cheers

Yes, it is a fantastic book, I refer to it a few times in the text of each of the articles about the Garstang and Knott End Railway and it is only £15 too!

Thank you

Roger

[PenrithBeacon]

Yes it is, brilliant!

I had a few hours in Knott End last summer, took the ferry from Fleetwood. Now there is a souvenir shop on the site of the station but the pub is well worth a try.

Cheers

[rogerfarnworth]

This is my second article about the line between Knott End and Garstang. It completes the full length of the line. I am very grateful to a number of people for permission given to publish their photographs as part of the article. You will see their pictures referenced throughout.

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2020/02/08/the-garstang-and-knott-end-railway-part-2/

 

I hope that I will get round to publishing one further article about the motive power and rolling stock on the line.

[rogerfarnworth]

This is a third article about the branch and it includes information about motive power and the rolling stock used on the line. ...

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2023/12/13/the-garstang-to-knott-end-railway-again/

[25kV]

Excellent series of articles on this curious line.  I've always been particularly fascinated by the juxtaposition of such a rural backwater line and the trunk route of the WCML at Garstang, and always look out for the extra bridge arches alongside the WCML when travelling along the route.