The mainline north of Ormskirk was singled in the 1970's and downgraded. At Ormskirk the terminus of the Merseyrail electrics the track has been truncated by two sets of buffers so no trains can go through Ormskirk station.
Burscough Junction is the first station north Ormskirk. This 2 car unit was the usual very infrequent service train from Ormskirk to Preston and is seen approaching Meadow Lane bridge. Discarded wooden railway sleepers can be seen lying on the trackbed of the old double-track formation. Ainscough's mill chimney can be seen in the background.

The fastest trains from Liverpool Lime Street to Preston now take 46 minutes. 2020.
In 1956 the fastest steam hauled service from Liverpool Exchange to Preston took 42minutes.
64 years of Progress - NO!