Notes: Blackpool Central station opened on 6.5.1863 as the
terminus for a line that ran via the southern coast of the Fylde
Peninsula via Lytham. Blackpool Central was located at the very
heart of the town being very convenient for all of the town's
attractions. The famous Blackpool Tower was built only a stones
throw from the station. The station was initially known as Blackpool
but was renamed Blackpool central in June 1878
In 1900 the station was rebuilt with 14 platforms to cater
for its very heavy traffic levels. In 1903 a direct line was
opened from the Preston direction which connected with the coastal
line one mile to the south of Central Station. It cut 5 miles
off the journey and was used by express services and holiday
specials.
Blackpool Central station remained busy for all of its life
but in 1964 to the surprise of most people it closed and the
line was cut back to Blackpool South station the point at which
the direct line joined the Lytham line. The direct line closed
in 1967 and by the 1980's the Lytham line was reduced to a single
track branch terminating at Blackpool South Station some distance
from the town centre.
The extensive area of land that the station and its approaches
had occupied where used for coach and car parking. For many
years the ballast made up the car parking areas and road over
bridges where still in place giving the location a railway feel
despite the loss of track and trains. In more recent times the
station approach area has been developed into surfaced car parking
with areas of landscaping. Only one of the overbridges still
remains. The site of Blackpool Central Station is still recognisable
as such despite it also making up car parking space. The side
walls still exist although lowered and the station toilets still
stand and are still performing the same function although now
it is to car and coach travelers and not rail passengers.
|