This was my first brakevan trip day out with the Society and I was particularly attracted to the offer of two trips in the area I was brought up in. One of them - to Huskisson Goods Depot, Liverpool, near Huskisson Dock - gave choice Cheshire Lines track, a particular interest of mine.

In contrast to the headlines of what was planned, Fri 3 Dec 1971 delivered disgusting weather. It was a cold day with rain and fog and I had an early start from home in Stafford on the first train to Liverpool Lime Street then to Edge Hill to join the party, which was led by the late Chris Nettleship. In contrast to the cold, wet walk from Edge Hill station to the yard and then out to our morning train of empty coal wagons for Cronton Colliery*, the Guard had a brakevan that was warm and welcoming. The four participants settled in to warm up and dry out. (*A 2 mile branch running southeast from Huyton Jn.)

What then followed was delay superimposed on delay, and while we were in a cosy location and the conversation was good, what we all really wanted was to move. When we did finally set off (with a Class 40) we were then further delayed at Pighue Lane Jn waiting for a path to the main line at Olive Mount Jn. Once on the main line, the run to Cronton Colliery (which closed on 2 Mar 1984) was quite straightforward and the rain started to ease a little. The moves there were superficially uncomplicated, but by the time the van had been moved between empties and loaded there was real concern that we would miss our booked afternoon departure from Edge Hill to Huskisson. There was even talk of setting us down at Broad Green to walk down to the CLC and wait for our working on the trackside. As we were finally ready to depart the news was fundamentally positive. Due to disruptions earlier in the day our Huskisson working would also be late and it would not leave Edge Hill without us.

There were no problems with the loaded coal train running to Edge Hill and we made a quick transfer to a mixed working to Huskisson (with a Class 25). The crew was keen to depart and everything fell into place this time. We went round the Circular Goods Lines to Wavertree Jn and down the spur from Allerton to Hunts Cross West Jn, the rain had ceased and the fog had cleared, but the light was failing! We took the passenger route through Hunts Cross and turned northeast at Hunts Cross East Jn to Halewood North Jn where the third side of the triangle from Halewood East Jn had closed in 1968.

Passing Gateacre, a passenger terminus with an hourly DMU to Liverpool Central High Level (until 17 Apr 1972), the line, singled from here on 21 Oct 1972, was then freight only. Fortunately there was still just enough light for me to enjoy the divergence left from the former line to Aintree Central and Southport Lord Street at Fazakerley South Jn, before Walton-on-the-Hill shed and station sites.

Then it was down through Walton No1, No2 & No3 Tunnels to the dilapidated goods depot at Huskisson. With the last vestiges of daylight disappearing, and the word that it might be some considerable time before our return working could leave, the decision was taken to give up at Huskisson and return to the City Centre and our homes. Initially this was on an EMU from Sandhills (adjacent but at a higher level) to Liverpool Exchange (which closed 30 Apr 1977). Sandhills Integrated Electronic Control Centre and Merseyrail's combined control is on the site of Huskisson Goods. A second Society brakevan trip ran there on 26 Sep 1972, rail traffic ceased 17 Jun 1975 and the track was lifted by spring 1979.

Hunts Cross station is bottom right, Aintree top left with Huskisson below it, and to the left.
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