Date: 04/08/2023

Once serving commercial shipping on the River Ribble at Preston, the line to the Port of Preston dates from the dawn of the railway age and is now a unique part of the UK network, with regular freight trains operating over part of what is now a heritage railway. Martyn Hilbert looks at the history of the route.

External links

Rails to the Ribble | Line Profile | Railways Illustrated Magazine

Railways Illustrated

Once serving commercial shipping on the River Ribble at Preston, the line to the Port of Preston dates from the dawn of the railway age and is now a unique ...

Related images

The Branch Line Society Ribble Lune Railtour of 10 October 2010 runs aongside Preston Docks, with the docks to the left of 66066 and the River Ribble on the right. On the rear of the train at this stage was Deltic 55022.
Location: Preston Dock
Company: Ribble Branch (North Union Railway and Preston Corporation Joint)
10/10/2010 John McIntyre

RSR Sentinel Energy trundles a rake of seven loaded tankers across the Preston Dock swing bridge towards the bitumen terminal. This is not the original Preston Dock loco of the same name but was previously Manchester Ship Canal MSC DH23, purchased by Ribble Rail in 2004. It can easily be recognised from a distance as it faces in the opposite direction to sisters Progress and Enterprise.
Location: Ashton Swing Bridge (Preston)
Company: Ribble Branch (North Union Railway and Preston Corporation Joint)
21/11/2014 Mark Bartlett

The road and rail swing bridge, and its control tower by the Preston Dock lock, can be seen ahead of Barclay 0-4-0ST 1147/1908 John Howe as it returns to the RSR depot with a train. Road traffic is halted to allow the train to use the swing bridge.
Location: Ashton Swing Bridge (Preston)
Company: Ribble Branch (North Union Railway and Preston Corporation Joint)
13/04/2009 Mark Bartlett

Related news items

Tags: x Preston Docks x River Ribble