Thanks for the 1969 sectional details, that's interesting.
The SRS does seem to have a lot of information, but it all seems to be for members only and I have not yet found much for free?
The PDF is a lovely find - thanks!
The signal box diagrams were kindly drawn by Chris Littleworth and placed on the signalbox.org site after I asked them if anyone had the signal box diagrams for Gt. Hawrood East, West & Padiham.
What I can tell you:
1. I have a copy of a meeting between BR management, the NUR, and the staff working on the Gt. Harwood loop line dated 13th March 1964. In it BR are stating that the line will be closed that year and what will remain will be 1 mile, 55 chains for the down line, 1 mile 71 chains for the up line, measured from the Rose Grove end.
2. The down line was lifted Sept 1965 as above.
3. The up line was lifted Aug / Sept 1967 as above.
4. Padiham station was the last to go, in fact it was 19/8/1967.
With the closure of Padiham signal box in June 1969, and the need to ensure Padiham power station was kept supplied with coal I would suggest (but can't prove it either) that the final part of the down line to Rose Grove was singled probably around August 1969.
You would want to do this around August time as this is the time when electricity demand is at its lowest, hence less coal trains which has been calculated to have been 1 to 2 trains per day.
The following link shows a photo / article about one train that derailed near what was Padiham station July 1971.
Not sure, but what I seem to be looking at (at the far end back of the train) but that part of the train is still on the track and is way over to the right of the front end of the train.
That is, the front end seems to be on open ground where the down line ran?
www.bcthic.org
If that is the case, we can certainly place the singling down to between June 1969 & July 1971.
But only if I am seeing things correctly?
The destruction of the line seemed to come in spurts every two years:
1965 Down line removed.
1967 Up line removed.
1969 Padiham signal box closed.
Logic would dictate it was 1969 but who knows?
Thanks,
Andy.