Hazel Grove to Blackpool via Bolton and Chorley 

Nothing better to sit down and watch this as therapeutic therapy for the mind when you've spent two days listening to England getting Aussie bashed in the cricket 😂😂. Some wonderful history and local lessons. Brilliant and thanks for your efforts in producing videos like these

This is to much of a coincidence for me not to comment. This premiered on August 11th (my birthday) and covers the journey from Hazel Grove (where I lived age 1-5 and again age 11-14) to the place of my birth (Blackpool - Victoria Hospital). Thank you for this video and especially thanks for the well timed tickertape explanations along the bottom of the screen on this and others of you excellent videos :-)

Thanks. Brings back memories of around 1960 when in summer we often went on Sat nights at 4 pm from Stockport to Blackpool North to go dancing at the Winter Gardens ballroom. 4 shilling ( 20 pence ) return. Left Blackpool at midnight then walked home 4 miles from Stockport to Bredbury. Happy youth.

Another great job Don and very well researched. It was nice to see the developments at Bolton but caused an "all our yesterdays" moment! Spent a delightful period there as Assistant Area Manager (Parcels) with my 100 ladies who sorted and loaded parcels from the surrounding mills serving the mail order industry long before Amazon.

Thanks for the ride. It was good to see the BNFL Springfields plant at Salwick where I served my apprenticeship in 1977. I had 20 wonderful years there. I'm now going to travel with you from Preston to Carlisle. Thanks for taking us along.

An interesting video and the historical arches in restoration. A unique video today. Thanks Don. 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

Hi from Pennsylvania. Thank you Don for another of your fine, informative videos. I see directly ahead of the train at the end the notable Blackpool Tower, which I remember from videos of Blackpool’s unique streetcar line. Blackpool’s streetcar line is the only one which ran uninterrupted through the dark days when tram lines were in ill repute throughout the UK and were all abandoned. Now modern streetcar systems, called Light Rail Transit (LRTs) are being installed worldwide. Blackpool’s system was recently renovated to modern standards, although great care was taken to retain its unique history and character. You do such a great job on these presentations. Thank you again!! CAS

They just get better and better! An object lesson in producing in-cab videos. Thanks, Don, for the considerable time and effort you must expend producing these videos.

Don’t mean this in a bad way Don,but when I can’t sleep I put on one of your excellent train journeys,they are so relaxing 😀

Always a pleasure to ride with you. Thanks Don.

Thanks again Don for taking us to the seaside. More nostalgia. As a 10 year old I was evacuated from Hull to Fleetwood. I travelled alone changing stations at Manchester, and then at Kirkham and Poulton. Trains crowded at all times. I suppose we should not have been surprised that there was trouble with a water crossing Moses Gate!!

I very much enjoyed this video with all the information provided. The annotations and maps really help a Yank understand your rail system. Cheers from Wisconsin.

I'm a Brit who has lived in the States most of his life. Americans think the phrase "Mind the Gap" is enormously funny. I have never understood why. Great vid, anyway. Very informative.

Not just a great video but a fascinating history lesson too... Thank you Don... Lovely Jubbly...

Bolton to Blackpool journey was epic and very informative (my world not done that journey since the early 60s) Just loved the whole journey.Thanks for the memories 👍

Don, your videos are rapidly becoming my most eagerly awaited alerts. May you never run out of routes! Another fascinating trip, especially the bit about the arches

Excellent. They just keep getting better and better. Great captioning especially at the points of historical or technical interest. keep 'em coming.

Fascinating video Don, especially liked the description of the engineering works at Chorley Tunnel and the Flying Arches. Back in the late 1950s I used to travel on steam trains from Oldham Mumps to Bolton via Manchester once a month on a Saturday with my Mum to visit my Dad who worked in Bolton.

Does a very good job of explaining why upgrade projects can run so late. It's not just a case of stringing the wires up, the whole line is upgraded as well. In fact, it does a better job of explaining the difficulties that can arise than Network Rail do themselves.

Don these films are excellent, and indeed just get better and better. Far better than any drivers eye view films which I have seen over the last 30 years.

Yet another fantastic video, I never tire of watching your videos over and over again. Thank you for providing them.

You've just stolen 90+ minutes of my Saturday morning because I was transfixed by your video, complete with ordnance survey map open on another tab to identify the landmarks. Truly fascinating, thank you for a most interesting and educational production, well done!

Thanks Don, I always enjoy your very well produced and annotated videos. keep up the good work!

Thx Don, for yet another superbly presented, and commented, video. It is such a pleasure to be a part of this community that you have created.

This video is so professionally made. Thank you, Don.

Thank you for another educational and entertaining film! I especially enjoyed the section on the flying arches!

Really enjoyed that ride,seeing places I would otherwise never see. Some very interesting developments along that line,especially the Arches. What a feat of engineering that was!

The story behind the restoration of the Chorley’s Historic Flying Arches is fantastic! Would newer happened in Sweden. The Brits know how to save historic landmarks.

Brilliant video with loads of information about things and places on the route. EXCELLENT 😀

Another magnificent video, a must see for anyone interested in British Railway’s and again, great information along the way. Thank you Don.

Excellent production, really enjoyed it, many thanks

Thank you for all your hard work in producing yet another great video.

Many thanks for the effort you put into these. It was highly enjoyable AND very interesting.

Thank you Don for a most interesting trip to Blackpool, I have watched a Blog from a Blackpool Lad called Nodrog I watched all his videos from early 2018 when the start of the electrification began, he is very passionate in railways in that part of the country. Great to see how things have changed over the years, with routes disappearing not always for the better. I do hope that they decide to reopen the Fleetwood branch. thanks again for sharing your journeys with us my it long continue.

Hi Don, I’m really enjoying your videos and excellent descriptions of each route. I’m especially glad that you covered the Chorley Flying Arches. Some additional information about them (as I worked within the West Coast Route Mod project): When WCRM was requested to gauge clear the Manchester - Bolton - Chorley - Euxton Jn route as a diversionary route for the Class 390 Pendolino’s, we calculated that the clearances to the flying arches are Chorley were very tight, indeed foul to some of the arches. We investigated and calculated that clearances to other gauge-cleared stock at the time (eg Class 87s) was also very tight. We learnt that the track quality through the location was historically problematic (due to the geology, steep cutting, poor drainage etc) and maintenance tamping over time to maintain track quality had resulted in the height of the track being increased, leading to problematic gauge clearance. It got so bad that a TSR was imposed. In addition, WCRM also did a static clearance trial during a Saturday night in the early 2000s that took a Pendolino and a Class 87 under the arches to statically measure clearances - to validate the clearance calculation software and to prove to the higher level management in both Railtrack and Virgin just how tight the clearances actually were! (390033 and 87006 were used). WCRM investigated having the original arches removed but we found that they were listed, also the timescales to progress would be far too long. So WCRM implemented a medium term solution of a full track renewal to reset track position and improve drainage. This work was carried out and allowed the TSR to be removed, also improved gauge clearances to existing stock and allowed the Pendolino’s to be gauge cleared (non-electrified at the time, so only gauge cleared to be dragged by a Thunderbird loco). After a few years following WCRM, the track quality began to be a problem again, maintenance tamping increased track height and this led to gauge clearance issues again. In the meantime, Network Rail had enough time to explore a more permanent solution to the problem, and this led to the scheme to remove the original arches, place into store, while installing the temporary steel arches - which you covered. So the primary reason for the removal of the arches was actually tight gauge clearance (rather than condition) ... but you’ve covered the story of the arches in more recent times in excellent detail, and it’s great to see that the original arches were eventually restored and re-installed. 👍 Hope this additional information is useful, kind regards, Mark.

Really excellent Don. Thanks so much. A great cab-ride and loads of interesting facts. (Especilly liked the restoration of the 'Flying Arches') Thanks again.

Thank you, I appreciate the obvious time and effort that has gone into the production of this video.

This is one of the best cab videos I have seen for a very long time. Bravo Don, 1st class work that I very much appreciate. Thank you.

In my travels around the UK I've always admired the Stockport Viaduct, now I see what it's like to cross it! Dramatic urban views going through Manchester also, and the story of the Chorley arches is fascinating! Chance to travel about with you is a perfect escape from our current quarantine...Thanks so much!

Hi Don what another great film! Your route knowledge is amazing, love the compassion between the the two Aldlington stations think correct spelling, think also the Cheshire one is far the prettier one! plus the information on the flying arch’s was very informative brilliant what they did plus the fact that no one will really see it. Good on Network Rail. Enjoyable journey on a very wet day here on the Kent coast. Eddie 🤓

One of the better done cab rides, and very informative. Well done! I wish someone would do an Acela Express this good

These are the very best of this genre. Thanks Don.

Once again a superb and informative presentation. I've done this run from Manchester to Blackpool before electrification so brought back fond memories. Thank you Don

What a brilliant video, thank you so much for sharing.

You’re a good man, Don C. Your efforts to entertain and inform us are much appreciated. This video is a fine example of that. Thanks for doing a great job. 🐨🇦🇺

Continuing my rail education around the UK. Thanks for another great video!

Really enjoy watching your videos. Especially with the comments and historical and technical information.

Hi Don... Can't wait my friend... Thank you...

Hurrah for the Flying Arches. Well done. Love the intricacies of the Victorian inner city elevated sections. Very Charles Dickens! Another interesting journey. Thanks.

Well done Don - another excellent production!

Great video, interesting facts about the tunnel a the arches, another very good video Don, thanks for sharing!

Now watching the premiere at the correct time. Good to see the video will NOW run on to Blackpool, passing my fave local level crossing at Carleton. Am sure it will be as EXCELLENT as all your others.

Another excellent and informative experience, thanks Don, keep them coming!!

Stunning video Don. Really enjoy your channel keep up the amazing work mate.

Fantastic video Don. The information is great. Some of the catenery at skew bridge junction is amazing. Don't think I've seen fizzy knitting so intricate and that signalling is a marvel. Many thanks.

Stayed throughout the premiere, hope the charity benefits well with nearly 400 watching by the end. My 60 minute dog walk over the Carleton Crossing to the next bridge and beyond back to Bispham and Cleveleys was good to see and nice that the housing estate on the outskirts of Blackpool is finally back on track (well not literally). The Flying Arches, the highlight with superb background information. FYI, there is a plan to extend the tram route with an outer circle to include Poulton-Le-Fylde using the old train route. I hold my breath on that one ! Cheers Don.

Thanks Don for another excellent video. The extended feature on Chorley tunnel and the flying arches gave a real insight into the complex engineering work that was undertaken there. You also mentioned the line from Preston via Blackburn and Copy Pit summit to Hall Royd Junction and I wondered what the chances were of you getting permission to film this fascinating route. I’m guessing it’s a bit off the beaten track for you.

Great video again Don. Very enjoyable ninety minutes. 👍🙂

Beautiful video! just found this and im glad someone has recorded a drivers eye view of my local line!

Another brillaint video! I found the section on the Chorley Flying Arches very interesting!

Absolutely fabulous videos. Thank you.

Another great and informative video Don,thank you for uploading it. Its my local line and my local station (Chorley), nice to view it from this angle....

Brilliant video as always Don. Thanks

Another good video Don thanks once again for all the imformation that you put on it

Thank you, Don, your videos are a great comfort during this time of "stay at home" lockdown.

Thanks for another fantastic and informative video Don. No wonder it took you so long to publish it given the amazing amount of research you must have put into it. I would dare to say its could be your best video to date. Many thanks for giving us the opportunity to watch it.

What a wonderful trip Don, thanks for sharing

Excellent video. Peter Lindop.

Another excellent video, with really good comments. Thanks, Don.

I'm playing catch up, another great video & as always, thanks to the folks that help you to achieve these

Another excellent video! I do like your informative and educational notations.

Yep, another good'un. This route went through my neck of the woods, Manchester to Preston. Nice to see the old familiar places. Thanks Don.

Another terrific video with excellent captioning - thanks.

Just watching your video and around Oldfield Road, one of the places I used to work back in the 1980's has gone and new buildings going up and around East Osdsall Lane the firm had some of the railway arches but all that land has been cleared and I presume all the small industries that were in the arches have been moved out. Going through Piccadilly your video shows how much new buildings are going up, seems to be tower cranes everywhere. Fantastic to see.

excellent video, very informative and enjoyable to watch, thank you very much for your time and effort.

Thanks for the video I rely look forward to them I live in the South West and find your Videos fascinating and very interesting Thanks Again

Another great video from you, thanks so much for sharing. Brings back memories of when my late dad worked at Longsight shed in the '70s & '80s when everything was British Rail. The downtown Manchester skyline has changed a lot since I was last there in the late '80s.

Facinating rail travelogue....very informative comments...all round ...very good video...Well Done

Only just seen this. Another excellent and very informative video. I was aware of the Chorley Arches but never knew the history of them until now.

I am enjoying your videos immensely. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing such a great vídeo. Indeed very informative for a bloke living faraway from UK...the story of the arches in Chorley is touching, considering that here in my country all the intercity passenger services have stopped. The lines and stations are mostly ruined or abandoned. By the way, you English railroad engeneering long ago built the early railroad system of my state São Paulo: Santos-Jundiaí (São Paulo Railway), Sorocabana, Noroeste, Mogiana, Cia Paulista de Estrada de Ferro. Cheers from Brazil.

Great video. I lived in the flats right next to Layton Station up until 2016, I used to watch the old semaphore distance signal on the Up line. Nice to see the line all electrified.

Hi Don, this has been very very entertaining and thank you so much for the Text Commentary, very informative. I've not been on this route to Blackpool North for nearly 25 years now. I have a vivid memory of a day trip to Blackpool with my Mum back in 1983 , we pulling into the station and walked inside to be greeted by a giant poster for the new Bond Movie Octopussy. Good times and thanks again for the video.

I love how you name every station you stop at or go thru,wish they all did

This is one hell of a fantastic video. Thank you so very much

Look forward to watching this one.

Thanks for a great video with some fascinating information. And that photo of the accident between the ballast train and DMU looks horrendous.

Super vid. as usual please keep up the good work. P.S. Nice to see since the electrification that the Chorley cakes are now made with currents and not currants. !.Thanks again.

another fantastic video sir seeing bolton were we travelled to from castleton to train spot in the 50s brilliant

Superb as ever, Don! Cheers

I live in Blackpool just on Cromwell Road about 2 minutes walk to the depot yard. I can actually hear the class 319s motor sound as shoot out from Blackpool North. It is amazing to hear it. Also a lovely video Don.

Good job it wasn't raining at Blackpool. No cover for passengers! Excellent commentary. Not an area I know well, so it has added to my knowledge. Thanks.

Yet another outstanding production 👌

Hi Don! Brilliant videos as per usual. I think being in the dead centre of the tracks is far superior. :)

outstanding video one of Don's best it's all the extra iofo that makes his videos so good

Thanks don for another wonderful journey on a great rail network cheer's bob.ps I wish our trains could run this fast.

Are we nearly there yet? Traveled from Blackpool North to Fleetwood and back on the tram in the late 1950's. The yard now and where the 'new' houses are was full of train of coaches then. On a previous point of train stop positions the markers 2,4,6 could be seen at some of the station stops, 6/8 at Manchester, 3/4 at Salford, and 3/4 and 10 at Preston. The 6/8 sign said car lengths under the numbers.

Another goodie, thanks Don.

Great video Don, I remember taking this line from Bolton to Blackpool as a young lad on day trips.I remember the old MOD station at Chorley ROF and just after it went to single track before it joined the WCML at Euxton Junction. Sorry mate showing my age here, but keep the videos coming and hopefully you can do Manchester to Clitheroe via Blackburn one day.

I travelled many times on 319s when they provided the Thameslink service across London. Nice to see that they are now having a new life "up north".