The LAST EVER Hellifield to Clitheroe Service!

[@srfurley]

The whole line from Daisyfield Junction to Hellifield used to be freight only, but it then re-opened to passengers as far as Clitheroe. The Sunday service has operated for a long time, mainly for ramblers. Seems strange that they have withdrawn it now, as quite recently there was talk of restoring a full service to this line. The line won’t be abandoned, it’s used for diversions via the Settle and Carlisle when the WCML is closed.

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

The service started in 1974 after campaigning by hikers

[@srfurley]

@@JohnSmith-bx8zb I knew it had been running for a long time, but didn’t realise it was that long. Why is it being withdrawn now?

[@johnwebster3224]

@@srfurley Use it or lose it, springs to mind!

[@OlanKenny]

Settle and Carlisle diverts are pretty much just freight now.

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

@@OlanKenny if any passenger diverts are needed it’s a case of de-train lug yourself, luggage and party to the station entrance and load your stuff on a grotty coach along with yourselves and repeat at Carlisle or anywhere in between. Much better in the old days when say ‘Steve Tracy’ or one of the Thunderbirds were connected up and the train was routed via the S&C upto Carlisle and the coach option offered to those who needed it, they did coach down from Carlisle. Mind you typically english - and it’s not changed - just inconvenience the Scot’s!!!

[@Teesbrough]

Lovely little video. Didn’t know the Sunday link to Hellifield was coming off, especially at the start of the Summer season when it would be used most. Thankfully I travelled that way on one of the very last Euston/Barrow-in-Furness sleepers, diverted from Preston thanks to engineering works. From what I remember seeing in the middle of the night the scenery hasn’t changed much in 40 years!

[@yorkshirethegreat]

Fabulous vlog G. First video I have seen by you. Loving your enthusiasm and knowledge. Preston is indeed a wonderful station it's architecture has been kept, a true link to the past. I love York station, because of its huge curve throughout...and, being biased, I grew up in York! Can't wait for new videos! Go Grrrll!!! 😃

[@jaybee1921]

Hi G, that was a happy little ride out for you, those Class 150s have given good service over the years, some of them started life in my neck of the woods under Regional Railways when they were around. I was still a Signalman then.I often wondered what Clitheroe was like as many years ago there was a radio comedy show called The Clitheroe Kid... Thanks for entertaining us again, Take care, Jon B...🙂

[@DeltaJazzUK]

Jimmy Clitheroe!

[@jaybee1921]

@@DeltaJazzUK Correct! For a bonus point what did he call his teacher?

[@johnenfield1930]

Clitheroe is a pleasant market town with some good shops and eateries. One of the old cotton mills now houses a hotel, brewery, food hall with Lancashire specialities and a cinema!

[@bikerpaul68]

@@jaybee1921 I'm tempted to say Mm-ya Pete - or ws that the vicar? It was a long time ago ...

[@djscottfrenzy]

They need to open up Skipton to colne again

[@ianr]

I second that.👍🙂

[@Thornaby37]

That's one of many lines which should never have closed

[@djscottfrenzy]

@Thornaby37 not just for the job opportunities either it's just makes sense

[@andrewelliott4436]

@@Thornaby37 51L

[@julianshepherd2038]

Trains are there to make profit, not to help plebs.

[@stuartrawson5057]

Fantastic vlog G ive travelled this line a few times but on charter trains shame this service has ended hopefully one day it might return ❤

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Stuart!

[@360scotland4]

I enjoyed your style thanks

[@nigelh3253]

Another inspiring video from you, full of interest. Your favourite station is Preston. Wow! The good news about the service reduction is that the track remains, and when interest picks up, 'normal service is resumed'. I regularly walk up the location of the Whitstable to Canterbury line in Kent which opened in 1830. This was the first regular passenger service in the world, so the story goes. (now a cycleway)

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Blackburn-Hellifield needs a more regular service with new stations at Chatburn and Gisburn. This wouldn’t be too difficult to do, unlike reopening Colne-Skipton. Trains could simply reverse at Hellifield and continue to Skipton.

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

Reopening the Hellifield East Bay Platform would be a start. Allowing connections to S&C and the Bentham Lancaster line

[@MrGreatplum]

Great video, G. What a shame they are withdrawing passenger services on that line. It looks like there’s a campaign group already trying to restore services!

[@orglancs]

How wonderful to hear someone of your age calling it a railway station. That term is a little poem in itself. The modern equivalent, (I Can't bring myself to say or write it), gives me the hiccups. Railway stations for ever!

[@paulwheeler4283]

I love how well your personality comes across in you're videos

[@philbodley4173]

Thanks for recording and sharing! 🙂

[@Thornaby37]

Excellent video, and you've even got a leaf as a souvenir of the last train to Hellifield via Hero of the Cliths

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha its still in my bag somewhere 😂

[@martinjh999]

Preston my nearest station! Have done Preston to Burnley which goes the same way as this one as far as Blackburn... Do want to do at some stage Preston to York which goes the same way but slightly different at Burnley...

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video G, shame this service has been stopped now, looks like theres some lovely views between Clitheroe and Hellifield.

[@stephenreardon2698]

I remember popping down to Preston Station one Sunday in August to take the then once a week service from Preston to Carlisle via Clitheroe & Hellifield. It was a great way to see rural Lancashire and the northern Pennines. Pity the return service was so late that I had to come back via the mainline. However it was a fitting tribute to my late uncle, whose favourite route it was. I do hope they continue with the heritage rail trips along it.

[@TheClockwise770]

It's all down to the Clitheroe Kid 😂

[@evangaines2303]

Awesome vlog, To me, discontinuing this service was like in 2019, when My state's Governor cut funding for Amtrak Train's 850-851, "The Hoosier State," which made it's last run on 6/30/2019. Hopefully, I get the chance to meet you G. Bet it's starting to warm up in Britain.

[@DavidCollison]

Great video and a great historical record - luckily you didn't suffer from a leaf on the line!

[@BeakersAreCool]

Hi G, another funny entertaining vlog but tinged with sadness at the same time. It is a great shame that paying passengers will no longer be able to travel this picturesque route , wonderful scenery and stations. You are getting brave with the 'Squishy Boobies' cry, unless all of those passengers knew what to expect from you!! Looking forward to the next one, stay safe.

[@SamsVlogstrainsmore]

Nice vlog G. Great ride along a rare bit of track from Clitheroe to Hellifield, shame northern have stopped this service. There’s a few rare bits of track in the West Midlands I’ve done which don’t get passenger services unless there’s engineering works ect.

[@GLovesTrains]

Thanks Sam, that's cool 😀

[@barrowc]

Great video, G! It's a pity that some of the unusual services seem to disappear at every timetable change (e.g. like the Northern services to Dumfries last May) so it's good you managed to get this one before it vanished. I know 150s aren't exactly quiet, but I was still surprised at just how loud that SB seemed to be!

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha! Thanks barrowc!

[@bobbyshafto3259]

Great video. I'm hoping the cafe on Hellifield station is open next Thursday so I can call in for a breakfast after Three Peaks (on Weds).

[@davefrench3608]

Preston Station is indeed superb!

[@baseballfan99]

In 2024 there is the new Rochdale to Ribblehead via Victoria twice a day service on Saturdays which runs between Clitheroe and Hellifield (great cafe on the platform)

[@sugarbertie1143]

Good video ! A nice change from all the other frightening ones on YT. Its a nice route and deserves a service at least at weekends.

[@juanman75]

Great video G, really enjoyed watching and loved the picturesque views! A shame that the line won't be used much in the future.

[@heatherrowan7294]

End of a long era, back to the seventies, the then run down of the Settle and Carlisle line, and the various local authorities initiating the summer "Dales Rail" service, if memory serves me correctly, initially as a charter operation on Sundays. Back in those days Clitheroe had no rail service other than the Sunday "Dales Rail', and it was the end of twentieth/ start of 21 st century that Langho and Whalley and eventually Clitheroe had rail service restored.

[@hermitageroad4713]

what a lovely station

[@MartinRayton-gx5ts]

A female rail enthusiast fair play to her looks a decent lass bless her cotton socks

[@IowaTrainGay]

That stretch seems like it'd be a very neat heritage railway! Too bad some private group hasn't come in to operate on it

[@jeydoubleyew]

Always enjoy seeing you pass my neck of the woods, Blackburn 🙂

[@TheClockwise770]

Grrreat video G. I loved Hellifield station, Fares are reasonably good so assuming the reason they're withdrawing this service is not enough passengers at weekends

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

i really enjoyed this even tho i never rode further than Clitheroe up to Helifield but i remember this service from when i used to stay in Clitheroe on my trips to Lancashire & i remember when this service used to go on to Carlisle but i think that was 1 trip out and 1 trip back but im now sad to see this service now withdrawn anyway brilliant vlog

[@brianmorrison9168]

Another great video. It was nice to see Hellifield, a station I had never heard of until recently, but shall be visiting soon. I got vouchers a few weeks ago to let me have a £10 unlimited travel day with NorthernRail. Living in the NE i've come up with a plan .. Newcastle to Carlisle, then take the Leeds train travelling over the famous Ribblehead viaduct as far as Hellifield. A short stay there, then the train to Carnforth, before boarding the train for Barrow in Furness. then change again and head back to Carlisle and home again to Newcastle. A decent journey I think .. and all for a tenner 😁😁

[@onlineamiga]

Hahaha! Can't believe you shouted your iconic catchphrase Squishy Babies in the middle of a train! You have amazing confidence lol! Love it!

[@georgemaund4964]

Why does the train have to reverse at Settle Jc? There are ground signals at Hellefield controlling movements from the down platform in the up direction to both the Skipton up and Clitheroe up directions, using trailing crossovers down to up....likely no facing point locks or more unnecessary extra safety precautions .

[@shedontanks]

I remember 150130 as a Gospel Oak-Barking unit. That's quite a change of scenery for it.

[@greendayrichard7391]

Love the videos

[@mikek9032]

Amazing detail ❤

[@johnjmc]

Hellifield is such a brilliant place, wish I could of seen it back in the day

[@mark-edwynstephens4123]

Thanks for taking us on the he last ever Hellifield to Clitheroe Service, you make your vlogs so well and so professional. kindest of regards Mark-Edwyn. 🚂🚃🚃

[@lawrencewild2523]

I must say that Preston Station does look very nice. One thing about UK train stations, they combine the practicality of modern stations with the nostalgia of times past. It's easy to picture the steam trains of the past under their train shed roofs as easily as the most modern electric or diesel. Everyone there should be rightfully proud of your national rail service, you've got our Amtrak beat by a mile... err kilometer.

[@neilpalmer230]

Miles is correct for the UK.

[@ronvalente65]

This last Summer they did a Yorkshire Dales explorer, we caught the train from Bolton to Ribblehead and then changed trains and went to Carlisle, unfortunately it wasn't a nice day at Ribblehead, but when we got to Carlisle the sun came out and it was lovely.

[@Sim0nTrains]

6:09 The leaves aren't coming in the train this time because all the windows are shut.... expect for those two that behind you! 😂 That honestly made me laugh! The line won't be abandoned, Charter/Light locomotives and freight trains will still use it. Great video G

[@LucyMichela]

Actually, freight trains aren't scheduled down there now. All the old routes are due to be diverted, and this years charters were called off... so for now, it sits abandoned

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@LucyMichela looked into it and there was 2 trains that use that line yesterday and the day before. Also there a charter train running on that stretch today 1Z39 0702 Crewe to Carlisle

[@GLovesTrains]

Oh didn't notice them 😂. And ah cool, a certain someone told me otherwise lol! 😛 thanks Cyber!

[@LucyMichela]

@SimOnTrains whaaa, well RTT changed its mind last minute. I must stop trusting it so much 🤣

[@robertwilloughby8050]

And if there is maintainance on the WCML, the line is used for diversions, BTW, have you heard of the possible Hull - Glasgow up the S&C? Not for this timetable, but for the summer 2024 timetable, to be run by TPE, either all of them are going by S&C or half are going via Manny Vic and pickup the WCML at Preston. Strictly a provisional suggestion, might not happen..... but a TPE man says it might!

[@glennridehalgh4491]

Absolutely happy memories driving the blue square DMUs from Blackpool North covering the Dalesrail service to Carlisle via Blackburn ,Clitheroe ,Hellifield and Appleby on a sunday, trains were nearly always packed with ramblers going for a good walk ,Retired Preston Driver,ex BR ex Virgin Trains

[@Ulleskelf]

Great vid. I did this in about 2008 when Virgin diverted a Preston-Carlisle that way due to engineering works. Shame they don't do that anymore :(

[@WHRBERT]

I like 150's, i remember when they were new! 😮

[@peteryoung4957]

Another rare line. I was fortunate enough to do Clitheroe/Hellifield on a charter train many many years ago.

[@Simon-ui6db]

They have launched a saturday service for summer 2024 called the Yorkshire Dales Explorer, the new service is a weekly Saturday-only service between Rochdale and Ribblehead, stopping at Manchester Victoria, Bolton, Clitheroe and Hellifield. It launched last Saturday (June 8), with adult return tickets starting from £25. Trains depart from Rochdale at 7.52am and 2.52pm on Saturdays, calling at 18 stops before they reach Ribblehead. The return trains leave Ribblehead at 11.08am and 6.05pm.

[@GLovesTrains]

Ye the title of this video needs changing 😂😂

[@cheshuntvlogs]

Fantastic video as always

[@markh5433]

We need a train from Clitheroe to Leeds via Skipton

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

That’s been pushed for for years going back to the days of Regional Railways

[@ianmcewan8244]

Great vlog G been enjoying all of your older vlogs

[@iainlindley]

Glad you managed to catch it. I tried to do this a couple of months ago and it got turned back at Clitheroe due to the lack of conductor. I was stranded as I was trying to get to Appleby. I ended up going via Bradford.

[@markb2658]

I've always thought it a missed opportunity not extending the Manchester to Clitheroe service on to Hellifield to connect city folks with onward connections to the Yorkshire Dales. Even if it's Saturdays only. Although possibly not as quick a journey time, it'd be a direct route which avoids travelling via Bradford or Leeds.

[@dennisgoulding6185]

They need to open up new lines not closing them we need a railway station where I live after closing it down some years ago, great video again 👍👍✅✅

[@chrisshen8056]

G. I dont your real name . Chris here. Awesome video. Great to see you blogging vegging about lancs railways

[@wilsonflood4393]

Went from Carlisle to Leeds via Settle late 80s on an old green dmu. It was a bit desperate, it could hardly get up the hills. But I was surprised at how big a station Hellifield was compared to other stations on the line.

[@simonfunwithtrains1572]

That's another service buggered. We were hoping to have a Hellifield to Manchester, train so much for Net Zero more like Net Zero public transport. There have been freight trains on this line for some time maybe these will continue? By the time we get round to low cost train travel the planet will be so warm that the rail tracks will be too buckled to run a train over. Thanks for the lovely video.

[@andybray9791]

Must meet u, by the way the train usually runs up to horrocksford junction to come back to Clitheroe (instead of going hellifield or beyond)

[@jacobporrett]

Looks like you had fun G.

[@RichardOldroyd]

Great video as per usual. Can I ask how you find out what train type is on a route and how did you find out what route the original train took.

[@GLovesTrains]

I use realtimetrains

[@PaddyWV]

Sometimes you wonder if Rail Management deliberately put the boot into their services? (Lack of Government funding?) Surely rail links should be increasing for the Summer!! Better café opening hours might have brought a few more people in too!

[@waynepicknett7407]

hi G pass u on Friday doing your video than seen u on train this Morning was going talk to u but look bit busy hope have fun time doing video long this line hope see round soon hun x

[@davidbrayshaw6162]

Well. You’ve done something I’ve never done! No! Not what you think - traveled the line! I’ve done that Twice! But traveled the line AWAKE! Back in the good ole days of BR and route diversions that line was used along with the S&C for West Coast main line services! I once traveled on the old Cornish Scot hauled by a 47 and tried my best to stay awake! And fell asleep at Dent and woke up in Preston! Second time was a diverted Inverness London sleeper again 47 hauled and fell asleep leaving Carlisle, briefly woke up somewhere in the moors and next thing I was in Crewe! So you’ve experienced the line I’ve slept it! Sad really! For me! Lol!

[@bobbythedesertwalker594]

I could look at that countryside forever! 😎

[@pn112upfast]

Brilliant video 👍

[@send2gl]

It is amazing what we regard as cheap fares. Recently had a 1 hour train journey in California, double deck carriages, panoramic view of Pacific Ocean for most of journey. $6.50

[@KokowaSarunoKuniDesu]

It's Bonkers. All they need to do is extend the Manchester -Clitheroe service to turn at Hellifield, and you have a Coast to Coast route. It would make it worthwhile for folk to come from Yorkshire to Clitheroe, and, on. Rather than endure the automotive misery of Harrogate, which has been an impediment to going TransPennine for the last 55 years. Keep Advocating!

[@unusualcontent405]

Good idea to put the metal link running down it

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

It did operate for a few years during winter, ideal link for snow viewing on the S@C plus lunch and stroll along the route

[@thebigchip]

Just had a look at a ticket for Sunday. Using a rail card and Tickety-Split it can be as low as £11.25. Still very good value. Edit: that’s via Leeds. Don’t think I’ll bother.

[@garyley4270]

Thanks for doing this video I have wondered why there didn't seem to be direct services over this part of the line generally as it would be sensible to have them. Anyway, looks like ill not be able to travel this route again.

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

There is a business plan going back years about it from the proposers inc councils, businesses and local people. totally ignored by the train operators

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

LOL at everyone in the comments thinking G is shouting “ Squishy Babies “ it’s not “ Squishy Babies…..🤣🤣

[@carlwilson1772]

Shame the line is being shut to passenger traffic. It was a great film as always. I really enjoyed it. Good you managed to leave with a leaf.

[@offshore9221]

5:59 lol

[@davidwood4892]

Great video.

[@colinblackshaw971]

Love your passion but also feel so sad , you missed out on 25s, 37s 40s, Deltics etc , you would have loved them times

[@theshowmanuk]

Preston station looks nice. I can't help thinking how passengers reacted to 'squishy babies'.

[@GLovesTrains]

They didn't react 😂

[@theshowmanuk]

@@GLovesTrains Ha ha they were probably suffering from shock 😊

[@Planespotting-Fortnite-Games]

Nice vid do you know there is a 319 bus from Skelmersdale to Kirkby and I call it the filthy bugger

[@jamesabbott5242]

Awesome Video G Loves Trains

[@lapiswake6583]

A shame, I hadn't heard that this service actually existed still, and thought it could only be done on railtours and such. Otherwise I would've made an effort while up north to go do it. But, tbh although I've done Preston (while doing the WCML) and Blackburn (when riding the Colne branch, although not ticking off stations), I've not done the bits between or the Clitheroe branch, and only been through Hellifield on the S&C.

[@ian9552]

I accidently turned on the auto generated subtitles and had a good old chuckle at the mess it made of some of the place names you gave. I guess when AI takes over the world it's going to struggle in quite a few northern towns!

[@wetcardie66]

kirkle and worship (kirkham and wesham)mmmm

[@GLovesTrains]

Haha I love them subtitles

[@patrolmaverick]

I bet you got some strange looks from other passengers when you shouted on the train lol

[@jcabral6231]

Join the movement, return the much beloved pacers #blovedpacers

[@andyfarms9653]

You are wonderful! I like trains, but I’m more like Sheldon from big bang unfortunately.

[@andrewbush3744]

I have been on Preston station a few times amazing station good video as usual 😁😆

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

It’s a dump

[@thomas-o8d3o]

only award preston station will win his the most amount off paint applied to a main line station and pigeon hit

[@UPnDOWN]

Why's it being shut, then? Just low numbers? Is the line being closed totally, or just to passengers?

[@rockerjim8045]

So much for privatisation. The railways should run a Carlisle-Helifield- Manchester service as often as they run the Carlisle to Leeds service

[@stephenreardon2698]

Northern trains is run by the government. The previous franchise holder was stripped of the service because of all the delays & cancellations on their services

[@philscott4522]

Until skipton to Colne is ever opened, Clitheroe to helifield should be a regular service, but northern fail couldn’t run a bath let alone a rail service

[@simonrichards6739]

I’d love to know what those passengers behind you were thinking when you did the knickers on your head and shouting “squishy babies”? Surprised you didn’t have BTP getting on 😂😂

[@darenhaines8830]

It's great to know that you're prepared to go to Hell and back to make a vlog.

[@AntonyMartin-e6c]

As far as I am aware, the withdrawl is supposed to be only temporary - the stated intention is to bring it back in 2024. We'll see, though. I'd also point out that Northern rail is state-run.

[@gordonjohnson8432]

only for 1 year i believe....not sure...

[@charleysmith7565]

Aww no, that really sucks for me G, I was really really wanting to travel on that section between Clitheroe and Hellifield and I never will be able to... would be interesting for you to do the current journey from Clitheroe to Hellifield wouldn't it?

[@GLovesTrains]

Think they're gonna run charter trains down there

[@charleysmith7565]

@@GLovesTrains I'd need to find which ones though but if I can I'll definitely do it

[@johnenfield1930]

Clitheroe-Hellifield is also used in both directions by 'specials' such as West Coast Railways' "Dalesman". By the way, Lostock Hall (where I live) is pronounced Loss-tock, not Low-stock - but thanks anyway for a great video.

[@brianbell4937]

Think one of the reasons it is going is that they struggle to find crews with the route knowledge. Much of the time it has been cancelled, so you were lucky. Used to run right through to Carlisle and at one time there were a couple of trains.

[@flippop101]

Quality KZbin! Great video, great channel, subbed!

[@gti505]

If you would have shouted to me, I would have asked you on a date to proof I am not. Nice upload...

[@ClassicProgrammes2868]

Also with your comment about the track between Clitheroe and Hellifield being abandoned is the biggest load of bullshit iv ever heard as it will still be used while mainly for freight it will also be used by steam hauled charter trains & light plus loaded test trains for steam locomotives based in Carnforth.