A most extraordinary and unprecedented scene occurred on Monday morning
at the Clifton station, about five miles from Manchester, where the East
Lancashire line forms a junction with the Lancashire and Yorkshire. The
East Lancashire are in the habit of running up-trains to Manchester, past
the Clifton junction, without stopping, afterwards making a declaration
to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company of the number of passengers the
trains contain, and for whom they will have to pay toll. The Lancashire
and Yorkshire Company object to this plan, and demand that the trains
shall stop at Clifton, so that the number of passengers can be counted,
and give up their tickets. The East Lancashire Company say that in
addition to their declaration, the other parties have access to all their
books, and to the returns of their (the East Lancashire Company’s)
servants; and that the demand to take tickets, or to count, is only one
of annoyance and detention, adopted since the two companies have become
competitors for the traffic to Bradford. Towards the close of last week,
the dispute assumed a serious aspect, by one of the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Company’s agents at Manchester (Mr. Blackmore) threatening that
he would blockade or stop up the East Lancashire line, at the point of
junction, with a large balk of timber. The East Lancashire Company got
out a summons against Mr. Blackmore on Saturday; but, notwithstanding
this, the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company’s manager proceeded on Monday
to carry the threat into execution, despite the presence of a large body
of the county police. The East Lancashire early trains were allowed to
pass upon the Lancashire and Yorkshire line without obstruction; but at
half-past 10 o’clock in the morning, as the next East Lancashire train to
Manchester was one which would not stop at Clifton, but attempt to pass
on to Manchester, a number of labourers, under the direction of Captain
Laws, laid a large balk of timber, secured by two long iron crowbars,
across the down rails to Manchester of the Lancashire and Yorkshire line,
behind which was brought up a train of six empty carriages, with its
engine at the Manchester end. When the East Lancashire train came in
sight, it was signalled to stop, and the Lancashire and Yorkshire
Company’s servants went and demanded the tickets from the passengers.
This demand, however, was fruitless, inasmuch as the East Lancashire
parties had taken the tickets from the passengers at the previous
station—Ringley. The first act of the East Lancashire Company’s servants
was to remove the balk of timber, and this they did without hindrance.
They next attempted to force before them the Lancashire and Yorkshire
blockading train. This they were not able to do. The East Lancashire
Company then brought up a heavy train laden with stone, and took up a
position on the top line to Manchester. Thus the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Company’s double line of rails was completely blocked up—one
line by their own train, and the other by the stone train of the East
Lancashire Company. In this position matters remained till near 12
o’clock. There were altogether eight trains on the double lines of rails
of the two companies, extending more than half a mile. After which the
blockade was broken up, and the various trains were allowed to pass
onwards—fortunately without accident or injury to the passengers.
—_Manchester Examiner_, March 13th, 1849.