Trains, trams and a ferry
By rail to Knott End
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2016
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
14 July 2016
Another Northern Rail day rover - this time, we’ll
head for the Fylde...
It was possible once to travel by rail to Knott End, on
the short-lived line which ran from Garstang, on the
west coast main line north of Preston. We’ve missed the last
train by 84 years, so we’ll have to take a somewhat different
route. We could have gone on the train to Fleetwood - but its
branch line from Poulton-le-Fylde closed to passengers in 1970.
So instead, we’ll travel via Blackpool North, and ride on the new
trams to Fleetwood.
The Northern Rail ticket is only valid (as can be imagined) on
Northern Rail services, so we have to take the
“stopper” from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly, where
we can catch a direct Blackpool service. It isn’t
entirely obvious which way to go to get to the sea
front, but we find it in the end, and ride on the
tramway to Fleetwood - as far as Fisherman’s Walk tram stop,
for a rather good fish and chip shop which my friend has
pencilled in for a visit.
Well fed, we follow the shore to the tram terminus, where one
of the shortest ferry crossings anywhere takes us to Knott End.
There’s just time for a pint before retracing our steps
homewards, after a most enjoyable little outing (thanks again,
J).
