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Location notes
Located on the branch to Blackpool South (originally extended to Blackpool Central until 1964), Squires Gate station is located on Squires Gate lane. Bizarre as it may seem, the road is halved, down the middle, between Fylde borough, and Blackpool borough! The station is in Fylde, the boundary is the middle of the road!
This used to be a mecca for transport, and in some ways, still is. Starr Gate tram terminus is a short walk away, Blackpool Airport is in the opposite direction. Also, if you come out of the station, and turn right, head down to the apartment block, called the coach houses. This is the site of the former Fylde borough tramway and bus depot. The depot was built in 1901, to house the Lytham and St Annes corporation trams. Later, buses took over. In 1986, the fleet became blue buses, and in 1993, was sold to its management. The company was in a bit of a bus war with Blackpool transport, when the latter bought blue buses in 1994. Fully absorbed into BT in 1996, the new route network integrated both company's routes, from 1999, when the depot was closed, and demolished later. A commemorative sculpture and plaque denote the sites significance.
For more about the history of Fylde corporation, go to the Blue Buses Website.
This used to be a mecca for transport, and in some ways, still is. Starr Gate tram terminus is a short walk away, Blackpool Airport is in the opposite direction. Also, if you come out of the station, and turn right, head down to the apartment block, called the coach houses. This is the site of the former Fylde borough tramway and bus depot. The depot was built in 1901, to house the Lytham and St Annes corporation trams. Later, buses took over. In 1986, the fleet became blue buses, and in 1993, was sold to its management. The company was in a bit of a bus war with Blackpool transport, when the latter bought blue buses in 1994. Fully absorbed into BT in 1996, the new route network integrated both company's routes, from 1999, when the depot was closed, and demolished later. A commemorative sculpture and plaque denote the sites significance.
For more about the history of Fylde corporation, go to the Blue Buses Website.
Railway type and traffic
The line from Kirkham to Blackpool south is entirely single track, and thus only DMUs are used. These are currently Northern class 142s. Incidentally, the line was, at one time, double track, to serve the (still open) Pontins holiday camp, a short walk away. The original length of the still used platform, and the length of the disused one, give a reminder of past glories.
Environment
The station is in a semi industrial, semi residential area. Although it is safe during the day, I would advise people to be vigilant at all times, as I saw kids hanging around in a nearby housing estate. Avoid the station at night. And, CCTV is NOT used at the station.
Road directions
Blackpool is well signposted. Follow signs for Blackpool Airport, until you get onto Squires Gate lane, and then follow signs for Lytham.
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Blackpool, Squires Gate map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Blackpool, Squires Gate map co-ordinates
Parking
The station has no car park. You will need to park in nearby housing schemes and walk to the station. I'd advise you to return to your car every so often, or make a visit to this station a short one, before moving on.
Do park carefully. Parking on double yellow lines, or in front of peoples driveways could result in your vehicle being towed away. I travelled here by bus, and as I was getting off the bus, I saw a car being towed away.
Do park carefully. Parking on double yellow lines, or in front of peoples driveways could result in your vehicle being towed away. I travelled here by bus, and as I was getting off the bus, I saw a car being towed away.
Public transport
Trains run from Preston to Squires Gate. Trains will go to Blackpool south. Visit the Northern Rail website for more details. No trains run on a Sunday, except during high season and the illuminations.
Stagecoach route 68 runs past here.
The nearest tram stop is Starr Gate, and to reach the train station, cross over the traffic lights, and you will see the station with the BR double arrow sign at the bridge hump.
Metro coastlines routes 7 and 11 both stop here.
IMPORTANT: Metro coastlines saver tickets are not valid on stagecoach services. Stagecoach Megariders are not valid on metro coastlines services or the tram.
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Stagecoach route 68 runs past here.
The nearest tram stop is Starr Gate, and to reach the train station, cross over the traffic lights, and you will see the station with the BR double arrow sign at the bridge hump.
Metro coastlines routes 7 and 11 both stop here.
IMPORTANT: Metro coastlines saver tickets are not valid on stagecoach services. Stagecoach Megariders are not valid on metro coastlines services or the tram.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are toilets (20p charge, use only 20p pieces) at Starr Gate tram stop. A small local shop is near here as well. A BP petrol station is further up the road the other way. Central Blackpool is not too far away.
Accommodation
Go to the Visit Blackpool website for more accommodation details.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Blackpool, Squires Gate
Streetmap links
Blackpool, Squires Gate general view map
Blackpool, Squires Gate close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Blackpool, Squires Gate
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Blackpool, Squires Gate
Googly map
Blackpool, Squires Gate general view map
Blackpool, Squires Gate close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Blackpool, Squires Gate
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
All trains stop here, so they will be going slow enough for you to prepare for a shot. There is road noise from Squires gate lane above. You may also get aircraft noise from the nearby airport.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking south
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
