Blackpool branch lines
The Blackpool branch lines are two railway branch lines running from the West Coast Main Line at Preston to Blackpool: The main branch which is double track and electrified, runs to Blackpool North station (Blackpool's main passenger station) via Poulton-le-Fylde. A second branch, which is single track and unelectrified, diverges from the main branch at Kirkham and Wesham junction, running on a southerly route to Blackpool South station via Lytham.
| Blackpool branch lines | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Layton railway station on the branch to Blackpool North | |||
| Overview | |||
| Status | Operational | ||
| Owner | Network Rail | ||
| Locale | Lancashire North West England | ||
| Termini |
| ||
| Stations | 13 | ||
| Service | |||
| System | National Rail | ||
| Operator(s) | Northern Trains | ||
| Rolling stock | Class 150 Class 156 Class 158 Class 195 Class 221 Class 319 Class 331 Class 390 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
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The Preston to Blackpool North route was re-signalled and electrified with overhead wires at 25kV AC, with electric trains starting running from the May 2018 timetable change.
Previously there was also a central branch running from Kirkham to Blackpool Central station; this was closed in the 1960s and became a road linking from the M55 known as Yeadon Way.