Wigan Album

Very pleasant photograph. Thanks.

A very good photo again Rob. In most pictures of the twenty arches that you see, the viaduct is the dominant feature, and rightly so; however here it is a nice backdrop to the more rural scene in the foreground. The viaduct really is an impressive bit of kit, however the second viaduct at this spot from Boars Head to Red Rock crossed the Whelley line a short distance beyond the left hand end of the viaduct visible here, and was even more impressive, being even higher since it crossed over the Whelley line something like 80 feet above the valley floor! Both of them are incredible achievements when you pause to consider that they were both erected in a time when few mechanical aids were available to the navvies building them! Tough bunch of lads indeed, the days when men were men and women knew it!

Is this looking towards Wigan, or towards Red Rock? With the guy's description. other viaduct on left it would suggest this looking towards Wigan? Can't see it some way.

The original North Union viaduct between Boars Head Jct. and Red Rock Jct. crossed the Whelley line a little north (ie to the left in this picture) of the “twenty Arches” viaduct. So Terry you are looking approximately North East and towards Red Rock and not towards Wigan. Hope this helps.

Another original view, looks like the pic was taken from the top of 70 steps. Twenty Bridges viaduct was still in use as was the Lancashire Union viaduct.
These two bridges were a magnificent site when viewed from the valley floor.
I have a couple of pics of them.