 The expansion of the railway network led Blackpool to become a seaside resort catering mainly for the Lancashire working classes.Southport catered for the slightly better off and Morecambe attracted visitors from the West Riding textile towns.The railway link to Blackpool from the mill town of Oldham was completed in 1846 and in the peak year of 1860, more than 23,000 holidaymakers travelled on special trains to the resort during Wakes Week from that town alone.