The Burcough Curves

Starting with Midge Hall Stn about 23 from Liverpool - line was planed by Ormskirk and Preston Rwy but opened in 1849 East Lancashire Railway then amalgamated with Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, October that year Midge Hall was opened. Closed by British Railways on 2 October 1961.

It kept original Lancashire and Yorkshire signal box until the1972 general Preston area resignalling programme had the box was demolished and replaced with the current one. Trains still stop at Midge Hall signal box to exchange a token for the single line onward to Rufford.

​According to a recent official document a review to introduce new Merseyrail battery trains onto Merseyrail network by extending the Merseyrail Northern Line from Ormskirk via Midge Hall into Preston. Rufford and Croston stations brought onto the Merseyrail network. Passengers would have direct trains into Liverpool and Preston. 

Below: Rufford Station & Crossing.

Below: ​Burscough Curves: The station opened in April 1849, and had regular services to stations including Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn, Southport and Liverpool. 
​Below: Image from Ben Brooksbank

​During the rail restructuring of the 1960s and 1970s, the "Burscough Curves", which formed a link between the Ormskirk-Preston and Southport-Wigan lines were removed, much of the original formation survives today.

Below: Burscough Station 2020

Below: Map of the area prior 1940

Below shows various photos of what there is to see today. (2020)

 Talk to reinstate the North curve back, Network Rail has identified electrification of Wigan to Southport, with the Ormskirk to Preston Line and the Burscough Curves as a possible source of new services.

The reports also talk of a new Park & Ride stn on the A582 at Parker Lane to better serve New Longton.

Coote Lane, Lostock Hall a station for residents like Pickering’s Farm and a walking distance for Kingsfold, Penwortham Lane and Tardy Gate. This could also serve the East Lancashire line, as an additional stop between Preston and Lostock Hall.

Update: As from 2021 it's understood this section is no longer a viable option under the proposed plans.