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Photos of Wigan
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Wigan Coal & Iron Co.

4 Comments

SHAH
SHAH
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 2,674
Item #: 27947
Wigan Coal and Iron steam engine SHAH

Comment by: Stuart on 7th June 2016 at 18:55

This loco was built by the Wigan Coal & Iron Company in 1874 at Kirkless Works. It lasted long enough to be taken over by the National Coal Board and was scrapped in 1957 at Clock Face Colliery in St Helens.

Comment by: RON HUNT on 7th June 2016 at 19:31

Stuart you are a mine of information...

Comment by: GW. on 8th June 2016 at 06:30

A working life of over 80 years!! What a champion. I wonder if it was like granddad's shovel and had its bits replaced umpteen times over the century[s] or is it a case of they don't build 'em like the SHAH anymore.

Comment by: Dr Keith Tattum on 13th June 2016 at 20:50

I can't be 100% sure, but I think this was the same shunter driven by my Uncle Dick at the "Top Place". He was the black sheep in the family, he talked about in hushed tones by my Nan, Alice Houghton, because he lived "over the brush" with a lady called Bessie (or was it Kitty) in a terraced house in Crooke Village. In any event my mum, loved him to bits. Visits to Crooke were a rare occurrence but I seem to recall treacle toffee featured in the agenda. His real passion was making wedding cakes. He taught my Mum the craft, Royal icing and all, and she later worked as a confectioner, at Lowthers in Cale Lane. It was a different world wasn't it? Not better, not worse' just different.

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