Station Name: SHIRDLEY HILL

 

[Source: Paul Wright]



Date opened: 2.9.1887
Location: South side of Renacre Lane. Shaws Garth now ruins through the station site.
Company on opening: Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Date closed to passengers: 26.9.1938
Date closed completely: 21.1.1952
Company on closing: London Midland & Scottish
Present state: Demolished the site has been developed for housing but a plaque marks the stations location.
County: Lancashire
OS Grid Ref: SD360128
Date of visit: 3.1.2006

Notes: Shirdley Hill station was opened on 1.11.1887 by the Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railway. The station was situated on the Hillhouse Junction (on the CLC Aintree to Southport Lord Street Line) to Southport Central line.
The Station consisted of two platforms with the main facilities being located on the Southbound (Altcar and Hillhouse) platform.

Initially services ran from Southport Central to Altcar and Hillhouse but in July 1897 the line became part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&Y) and on 1.5.1901 its northern terminus switched to Southport Chapel Street.

In July 1906 the L&Y introduced a railmotor service which became known as the 'Altcar Bob'. Consisting of an engine and single coach combination with a driving cab at one end of the coach there are a number of suggestions as to why the service got its name. Some say that the original driver was called Bob, others say that the name could be related to the ticket fare, a Bob being the general term locally for a Shilling. More likely it was named Altcar Bob by railwaymen who it is said referred to small engines as Bob.

On 13.11.1926 services ceased to operate as far as Altcar and Hillhouse and terminated at Downholland instead.

An early victim of road competition Shirdley Hill station closed to passengers on 26.9.1938. The line remained in situ through the station site until 1964 as a stabling point for excursion coaches.

Today a plaque marks where the station once stood.

For more about Altcar Bob see the Southport.gb.com web site.

To see the other stations on the Southport - Altcar & Hillhouse line click on the station name: Southport Central, Southport Ash Street, St. Lukes, Meols Cop, Butts Lane Halt, Kew Gardens, Heathley Lane Halt, New Cut Lane Halt, Halsall, Plex Moss Lane Halt, Downholland & Altcar & Hillhouse

 

Shirdley Hill Station looking south in 1949



The site of Shirdley Hill Station in January 2006 - taken from a similar viewpoint as the picture above
P
hoto by Paul Wright

Plaque at the site of Shirdley Hill Station
P
hoto by Paul Wright


 

 

 

[Source: Paul Wright]


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