Yes they both follow the same route from Preston until Gannow Junction just after Rose Grove...wherein the Colne train joins the single track branch line to Burnley Central and beyond and the York train heads to Manchester Road, Bradford etc.
Not uncommon for the Colne train to be cancelled if it has been delayed in order to make way for the express to use the same route....or if you are lucky they can use Blackburn to overtake.
The problems with the underused East Lancashire line and it's disgusting rolling stock will never be addressed until the line from Rose Grove to Colne is doubled again, allowing improved frequency and less cancelled trains...as due to the single track nature of the line its often less hassle for Northern to cancel trains at the Pendle stations.
I feel Northern are missing a trick here as it is often now cheaper than the train. For example Burnley on the bus takes 45/50 minutes and costs £4.20. The express train takes 8 and the rattler 15 minutes and costs £4.00.
I digress....the train will be the easiest way to get back from the ground to Preston....or you can also take a short walk to the Hare n Hounds and catch the 152.
http://www.lancashirebus.co.uk/cmsUp...152websept2012[1].pdf