Index
- Barton Branch Home
- Downholland
- Plex Moss Lane Halt
- Halsall
- New Cut Lane Halt
- Shirdley Hill
- Heathey Lane Halt
- Kew Gardens
- Butts Lane Halt
- Meols Cop
- St Lukes
- Southport Central
- Southport Chapel Street
Barton Branch to Southport Railway
(1887 - 1938)
The Liverpool, Southport & Preston Junction Railway (LSPJR) Barton Branch ran between two junctions with the West Lancashire Railway (WLR) on the east side of Southport to Hillhouse Junction
on the Southport & Cheshire Lines Extension Railway (S&CLER), which was just north-west of Altcar & Hillhouse station
Despite grand plans it had become little more than a local line which, unfortunately, ran through sparsely populated areas for much of its length. On 1 May 1901 the LYR closed Southport Central and diverted the Barton line trains into their Southport Chapel Street station
In July 1906, the LYR introduced a ‘railmotor’ service which became known as ‘Altcar Bob’. Consisting of an engine and single coach combination with a driving cab at one end of the coach which was very successful
With effect from 13 November 1926 Downholland station became the southern terminus for passenger trains when passenger services were withdrawn to Altcar & Hillhouse. During the 1930s, competition from local buses had a detrimental impact on the number of passengers and, as a result, the passenger service was withdrawn completely on September 26 1938
Despite grand plans it had become little more than a local line which, unfortunately, ran through sparsely populated areas for much of its length. On 1 May 1901 the LYR closed Southport Central and diverted the Barton line trains into their Southport Chapel Street station
In July 1906, the LYR introduced a ‘railmotor’ service which became known as ‘Altcar Bob’. Consisting of an engine and single coach combination with a driving cab at one end of the coach which was very successful
With effect from 13 November 1926 Downholland station became the southern terminus for passenger trains when passenger services were withdrawn to Altcar & Hillhouse. During the 1930s, competition from local buses had a detrimental impact on the number of passengers and, as a result, the passenger service was withdrawn completely on September 26 1938
| Station name | Opened | Closed to passengers |
Goods closed |
| Barton | Sep 1887 | Sep 1938 | |
| Plex Moss Lane Halt | Jul 1906 | Sep 1938 | |
| Halsall | Sep 1887 | Sep 1938 | Jan 1952 |
| New Cut Lane Halt | Jul 1906 | Sep 1938 | |
| Shirdley Hill | Sep 1887 | Sep 1938 | Jan 1952 |
| Heathey Lane Halt | Jul 1834 | Sep 1938 | |
| Kew Gardens | Sep 1887 | Sep 1938 | Jan 1952 |
| Butts Lane Halt | Jul 1834 | Sep 1938 | |
| Meols Cop | Sep 1887 | ||
| St Lukes | Mar 1902 | Sep 1938 | |
| Southport Central | Sep 1882 | May 1901 | Dec 1973 |
| Southport Chapel Street | May 1895 |
