Burgh Colliery Railway
Did you know that there was once a railway running through south west Chorley?
I first spotted it on the 1848 OS map and have spent the last year trying to find out what I can about it.
The track ran from Burgh Colliery on Burgh Lane past Burgh Hall and on to Plock farm. From there it ran to a depot on Pall Mall.
I first spotted it on the 1848 OS map and have spent the last year trying to find out what I can about it.
The track ran from Burgh Colliery on Burgh Lane past Burgh Hall and on to Plock farm. From there it ran to a depot on Pall Mall.
A small section of the route is preserved near the site of Plock Farm on the public footpath joining Eaves Green Rd to Burgh Meadows. The footpath is edged with sandstone blocks, many having a worn grove On them suggesting they are from the original track.
The best preserved section is at the location of Plock Farm which is the only part of today’s footpath on the actual route, the rest running under St Gregory's school field.
The best preserved section is at the location of Plock Farm which is the only part of today’s footpath on the actual route, the rest running under St Gregory's school field.
The site of Burgh Colliery is still visible today at the southern end of Burgh Lane and had two pits, a series of buildings and rail sidings.
I have found that very little about the operation of the railway. It was most probably horse-drawn trucks, although I have heard that I steam locomotive trials on the track.
I have found that very little about the operation of the railway. It was most probably horse-drawn trucks, although I have heard that I steam locomotive trials on the track.
The original agreement between Richard Whittle and the owners of Plock Farm is held in the Lancashire archives at Preston. The only details about the line, which had not been built at this point, is that no branch lines were allowed, although there was permission given for passing places. The maps that I have found to not show any of these passing places.
There also is very little information on the depot on Pall Mall which must have been a large employer at the time. There is also no record of how the coals and taken from Pall Mall down to the centre of Chorley to join the main room or the canal.
There also is very little information on the depot on Pall Mall which must have been a large employer at the time. There is also no record of how the coals and taken from Pall Mall down to the centre of Chorley to join the main room or the canal.