{"id":1522,"date":"2023-12-11T16:23:58","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T16:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lancashireloominary.co.uk\/index.html\/?p=1522"},"modified":"2023-12-11T16:57:26","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T16:57:26","slug":"northern-salvo-315-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lancashireloominary.co.uk\/index.html\/northern-salvo-315-2","title":{"rendered":"Northern Salvo 315"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Northern (Christmas) Salvo<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Incorporating \u00a0Weekly Notices, Sectional Appendices, and Northern Weekly Salvo <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Published at Station House, Kents Bank, Lancashire-North-of-the-Sands, LA11 7BB and at 109 Harpers Lane, Bolton BL1 6HU (both Lancashire)<\/strong><\/p>\n

email: paul.salveson@myphone.coop<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Publications website: www.lancashireloominary.co.uk<\/strong><\/p>\n

No. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 316\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 December 2023\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Salveson\u2019s half-nakedly political digest of railways, tripe and secessionist nonsense from Up North.<\/p>\n

Festive greetings<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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During last week’s snow, trains kept running on the Furness and Lakes Lines, helping to rescue stranded motorists. Here’s a suitably festive scene at Kents Bank<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Welcome to the festive Northern Salvo<\/em>, with the by-now-traditional Christmas ghost story, which takes up most of this issue. Well, it\u2019s partly<\/em> set around Christmas, slightly adapted and Christmasised from my short story \u2018The Station Clock\u2019 first published in my collection of stories Last Train from Blackstock Junction<\/em> (Platform 5, 2022).<\/p>\n

With The Salvo<\/em> I\u2019ve always tried to produce something that\u2019s readable and of interest not just to railway people but a wider audience who share some of my interests, from tripe, chip shops and Shostakovitch, to progressive politics (however defined) and industrial dereliction, to Lancashire dialect and Dadaism. Hopefully you\u2019ll find something in this to entertain you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to insulate yourself from what is happening in the rest of the world. The situation in Ukraine doesn\u2019t get any better and events in the Middle-East are heartbreaking. My sympathies have always been with the Palestinians but who could not be outraged by what happened on October 7th<\/sup>, many of the victims of Hamas being pro-Palestinian Jews (not that it makes any difference who they were). No cause can justify what happened. The reaction from Israel, which Hamas must surely have anticipated, has been barbaric. The killing of thousands of children is a war crime; again, nothing that has been done to Israel can justify the slaughter of these innocents. Stop it. But rather than wrapping yourself in the Palestinian or Israeli flags, people outside the conflict should be demanding an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid for Gaza, release of all hostages – \u00a0and a start towards negotiating a just settlement, if such a thing is possible. Certainly after October 7th<\/sup> it has become much more difficult. The alternative is a widening conflict, the end of which could be catastrophic not just for the Middle East but for everyone, everywhere.<\/p>\n

Hey ho. But let\u2019s have hope for humanity. Ninety years ago, Christmas 1933, the Lancashire writer and homespun philosopher Allen Clarke reflected on his 70 years in the introduction to Teddy Ashton\u2019s Lancashire Annual<\/em>. It seems very appropriate for today\u2019s Salvo<\/em> and its editor (though I\u2019m a year older):<\/p>\n

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Allen Clarke (‘Teddy Ashton’) in 1925<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always tried to be straight and fair, to see both sides, to be tolerant as well as truthful\u2026I have spoken out against wrongs and cruelties, and suffered for it\u2026.I have never feared abuse for battling for the oppressed and downtrodden, especially the children. That was my thought and aim at twenty. I still think the same at seventy. Views modify with experience, but principles remain like rocks, and I think now, as I thought fifty years ago, that it is good to help your neighbour, to try to make this world grand instead of squabbling about the next\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

After HS2: Back to Square 1?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Since Sunak\u2019s bizarre speech at Tory Party Conference the rail industry has been in turmoil – perhaps even more so than usual. There have been some real successes \u2013 notably the ditching of plans to close ticket offices; a great victory for mass campaigning. As I argued in the last Salvo<\/em>, the announcement that HS2 was being killed off beyond Birmingham was a mixed blessing, with what is looking increasingly like a renewed orgy of road building. At a recent hearing of the Transport Select Committee, secretary of state Mark Harper said that over a third of the money \u2018saved\u2019 by cancelling HS2 will go to road schemes, though it\u2019s looking like it will be much more than that. RAIL<\/em> magazine suggests the figure is more like 70%. Watch out for them all being in winnable Tory seats (if there is such a thing anymore).<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an element of smoke and mirrors in all this, the money as such doesn\u2019t exist \u2013 it would be based on borrowing. But anyway, it\u2019s clear that the Government wants to make political headway by putting money into their much-loved roads, saying that it is a \u2018saving\u2019 from HS2, which it isn\u2019t really. There are some upsides and there have been promises of \u2018real\u2019 money to support local bus services which are desperately needed. However, the \u2018alternative\u2019 plans promoted as \u2018Network North\u2019 are nothing of the sort, just a rag-bag of local schemes to win a few votes, many not located in \u2018the North\u2019 anyway.<\/p>\n

The abandonment of \u2018very high-speed rail\u2019 does offer opportunities which should be seized. The positive schemes which the Government has promised, including rail re-openings and bus improvements, are welcome. But we need to construct a \u2018Network North\u2019 which is truly about creating a sustainable and strategic transport network for the North, and beyond.<\/p>\n

That means re-visiting HS2 and seeing what is left that can, and should, be rescued. Simply abandoning the route in a field near Lichfield (Handsacre Junction) adds a huge extra volume of traffic onto an already congested route. It has to continue to Crewe, avoiding bottlenecks in the Stafford area. Much of the construction work is well underway and it would be folly to abandon it. At the southern end of the route, not going into Euston would be complete madness. Again, a lot of work has already been done.<\/p>\n

That said, there\u2019s a need now for a national strategy with high-speed rail integrated into the conventional network. Speeds do not have to be engineered for 400 km\/h \u2013 300 km\/h is plenty, and much less environmentally damaging (you can avoid sensitive areas but in addition, lower speeds are more fuel efficient).<\/p>\n

A national high-speed rail network should connect not only the main cities (London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds) but smaller cities and large towns, which HS2 ignored in a reckless pursuit of very fast end-to-end journey times. Northern Powerhouse Rail, from Liverpool via a new route to Manchester and on to Leeds and the east coast would be an essential part of the network. Most importantly, what happens north of Crewe must be re-assessed. The route is looking very tired, with capacity bottlenecks and frequent infrastructure failures. The entire route from Crewe to central Scotland needs an urgent review with a major upgrade sooner rather than later. This would benefit freight as well as passenger services (as would completing HS2 to Crewe). So too would improving a short stretch of highly congested railway through central Manchester – the Castlefield Corridor.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not talking about lots of new railway, but some new infrastructure should be assessed, together with \u2018grade separated\u2019 junctions to improve capacity, and four-tracking of most remaining double-track parts of the line north of Crewe.<\/p>\n

Crucially, a strategic rail plan must integrate inter-city with local and regional services, many of which are sorely in need of investment. The Calder Valley route from Manchester and Preston to Bradford and Leeds via Hebden Bridge, needs electrifying and upgrading. Some routes, such as Skipton \u2013 Colne, the Woodhead Route from Manchester to Sheffield and York \u2013 Beverley, should re-open. And let\u2019s not forget how people get to and from the station: buses that actually connect with trains, and safe walking and cycling routes, are a vital part of the mix.<\/p>\n

We mustn\u2019t obsess about ownership. Most of the rail industry is now state-owned (infrastructure, and many train operating contracts) or are rigidly controlled by the state. I\u2019d be for trying out some different models of ownership including worker and passenger co-operatives that have a degree of commercial freedom but recycle profits back into the railway. At the regional level, the mayoral combined authorities, suitably enlarged, could take over and run local rail services, as the highly successful Merseyrail operation, managed by Liverpool City Region, proves. They\u2019ve even bought their own trains! Andy Burnham is itching to do the same in Greater Manchester. Where infrastructure is self-contained (e.g. much of Merseyrail) there’s an argument for taking the lot and having a vertically integrated operation.<\/p>\n

(First published in Chartist<\/em> magazine see www.chartist.org.uk)<\/p>\n

Station Library doings: From the shores of Morecambe Bay<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Kents Bank Station Library and the neighbouring Beach Hut Gallery held a well-attended Christmas Fair on December 9th, with over seventy guests, some from as far afield as Derbyshire, Hindley, Bolton and West Yorkshire. Good job we didn’t go for the previous week, we’d have been snowed up! Several donations of books and artifacts<\/p>\n

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Much munching going on in the Reading Room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

were received and many mince pies were munched. The soup was declared highly delicious (that doesn’t sound right does it? It was yummy, anyway.) So too were Sheila’s cakes, transported, by rail, from the home bakery of Hindley.<\/p>\n

The Library has made a successful auction bid for an historic ex-British Railways totem sign for ‘Kents Bank’, with over 25 supporters contributing to the cost. The sign will be officially unveiled by Sir Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail, in January. From January the Library will be open once a month, normally on the second Saturday of the month – next open day is Saturday January 13th, from 11.00 to 3.30 pm. Entrance is via steps next to Beach Hut Gallery (also open). Teas, coffee and biscuits available \u2013 as well as sale of surplus books there is also an expanding ‘lending’ section. The library is open for reference\/study purposes by appointment – ring 07795 008691 or email info@stationlibrary.org.uk<\/a>
\nMichael illustrating his talk with ‘Dick’ at the head of his train…<\/p>\n

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Michael illustrating his talk with ‘Dick’ at the head of the train\/tram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We’ve started started a series of monthly talks. In December, Michael Davies of Allithwaite gave a fascinating two-part illustrated talk on ‘Irish Railways in the 50s’.It included the legendary Fintona Horse Tram, the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway, Cavan and Leitrim – and much more.<\/p>\n

The next talk will be on Wednesday January 10th at 7.30 when Richard Hinchcliffe will talk on his book ‘Flying Scotsman in America’ covering the historic locomotive’s remarkable expedition across the United States, the subject of his recent book (with Bill Wagner). Richard’s talk is about his family’s intense adventure with ‘Flying Scotsman’ in America and draws on his recent book: Flying Scotsman in America: the 1970 Tour<\/em>. Richard travelled with his Mother and Father down the eastern seaboard and up the midwest meeting a great range of characters, landscapes, mishaps and joyous experience. Richly illustrated by his co-author Bill Wagner’s brilliant photographs, Richard takes us from the 1950s to the full restoration of ‘Flying Scotsman’ by the National Railway Museum in 60 galloping minutes.<\/p>\n

Space is limited and pre-booking is essential<\/strong>. Ring 07795 008691 or email info@stationlibrary.org.uk<\/a> .<\/p>\n

Contact details<\/strong>: Paul Salveson on 07795 008691 or info@stationlibrary.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Postal address: Station House, Kentsford Road, Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands LA11 7BB The Library’s website is www.stationlibrary.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Dear friends departed<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s sad that this is becoming a regular feature of The Salvo. Noel Spencer, long-time councilor, former mayor of Bolton and dedicated socialist and trade unionist, passed away in November. I have fond memories of Noel at Farnworth Labour Party, fighting hard for his community in the face of indifference from the Council leadership. That indifference led to political melt-down for Labour in Farnworth, from which it has yet to recover. He had a great sense of humour and was an accomplished Frank Sinatra impersonator.<\/p>\n

I was shocked to hear that my longstanding pal and fellow rail crank Harvey Scowcroft had died suddenly at his home in Bolton. Harvey was a well known face on the railway scene, often observed on the lineside photographing steam specials. I first knew Harvey back in 1965 when we polished up 42626 to work the last train from Horwich.<\/p>\n

Railway villages<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Thanks to everyone who chipped in suggestions in previous Salvoes<\/em>. I’m still working on this and looking for examples of small communities that were – and perhaps still are – railway ‘villages’. They don’t have to be rural, they could be evry urban, e.g. Corkerhill in Glasgow, Upperby (Carlisle), Patricroft (Salford) and various places in London. Kentish Town? Stewarts Lane? Bricklayers Arms? Please advise….<\/p>\n

Lancastrians: Mills, Mines and Minarets <\/strong><\/h5>\n

I’ve done several talks on aspects of the book recently, all well attended with lively and engaged audiences. These include Unity Hall (Nelson), Bolton Socialist Club and UCLAN (Preston). More talks are planned in 2024, next sessions are:<\/p>\n