62 SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF BLACKPOOL AND DISTRICT 



In consequence of the increased traffic it was decided in 1846 to double the 

 line, and in 1849 the undertaking was leased to the L. & Y. and L. & N.W. 

 Companies jointly. 



The year 1 846 was one of outstanding importance so far as railway develop- 

 ment in the Fylde is concerned, seeing as it did the opening for traffic of the 

 branch line from Kirkham to Lytham in February, and another from Poulton 

 to Blackpool (Talbot Road) on April 29th. 



The advisability of connecting Lytham and Blackpool was first mooted in 

 1860, and the coastal railway line joining these two watering-places was 

 opened on the 4th April, 1863 — less than 75 years ago. At the time of its 

 opening the railway consisted of a single line, seven-and-a-half miles in length, 

 with stations at Hounds Hill (Central Station), Blackpool (South Shore) 

 and Lytham. It had no physical connection with the line from Kirkham to 

 Lytham, a disability which was overcome in 1 874 when the Preston and Wyre 

 Company, having taken over the Blackpool and Lytham Railway, doubled the 

 track and installed the much-needed connection with its own system. 



From this time onward the growth of the district was rapid, and its 

 popularity as a holiday-resort, particularly for North-country people, continued 

 to expand. 



Excursion traffic became a regular feature, and to meet the ever-increasing 

 transport demands the Railway Company expended large sums in quadrupling 

 lines over certain sections, and re-building stations. It is worthy of note that 

 as early as 1883 special facilities were introduced at Talbot Road Station for 

 dealing with excursion traffic. 



The effect of these developments can be traced in the growth of the population 

 of Blackpool. In 1870 the inhabitants numbered only some 7,000 ; by 1891 

 the number had increased threefold to 21,000, and at the end of the next 10 

 years had mounted to 47,000, but by 1921 the 100,000 mark was almost within 

 sight. 



Although, strictly speaking, not lying within the area of the Fylde, the 

 transport history of the district would not be complete without some reference 

 to the Garstang and Knott End Railway, in view of its close association with 

 Fleetwood. 



Originally promoted with the intention of linking the L. & N.W. Railway 

 and the market town of Garstang with the Port of Fleetwood by means of the 

 ferry at Knott End, the portion of the Garstang and Knott End Railway 

 between Garstang and Pilling, a distance of seven miles, was opened for 

 merchandise in December, 1870. The promoters found themselves in 

 difficulties at an early date. In the first place, the trains were hauled by an 

 engine which the Company obtained on hire, and whilst this was undergoing 

 repairs in 1 872 the railway had to close down for two days. Soon afterwards 

 the engine was seized by its owners in consequence of the hire purchase money 

 not having been paid, and horse traction was introduced and used spasmodically 

 during the next three years. An engine was purchased outright in February, 

 1875, when the line was re-opened for goods traffic, and a passenger service 

 was instituted in May of the same year. 



