Wigan Album

This would have been at Brittania Bridge, near to the Navigation pub. There was another pub on the other side of the bridge. I have forgotten the name of that one.

Shepards arms on the canal bridge

My Dad lived a few doors up fom the Shepards arms

This location, quite a few years ago now,was where, Wigan Borough terminated, and Lancashire County began.

happy days swimming in canal i would go berserk if i thought my grandson was swimming in there now

Mark. Is that your dad,on the photograph at Spring View School, taken in 1946, I was at the scool at the same time,if it is your dad, but the year before.

The bridge in the background carried the railway line to and from Wigan Central station, (GCR).

Albert, that is my Dad on the spring view photo's, he's more recognisable in the 1947 one, I didn't know these were on so thank you for directing me to them.
Did you know my dad Albert ?

My Dad's 3 year old brother drowned in the lock at Britannia Bridge .Not recommended to swim in the canal.

Colin. Where did that railway line start from in Wigan, that crossed Warrington Road, the Manley Street side of the Sheperd's Arms. The line you mention crossed the road at Darlington Street? Did both lines join up eventually,or did the line at Brittania Bridge,go to the station near to Ince Parish Church, and then carry on to Manchester?

I recognized the name Mark, and it rang a bell in my brainbox. It is such a long time ago though. I was in the same year as Graham Worthington,etc.

Albert, from Wigan Wallgate, Ince, Hindley, the line then splits at Crow nest junction, the left line heads to Westhoughton. The right line heads to Daisy Hill, both lines go to Manchester. It's known locally as the Wigan to Southport line or Wigan to Manchester line. Wigan Central was in station road, (GCR) Lower Ince, Hindley and Platt Bridge, Westleigh and Bedford, Lowton St Marys, Glazebrook and on to Manchester Exchange. The line closed in 1964.

Albert the pub on the other side of the bridge was the Navigation.

Alan H, My Dad often talked about someone drowning in the Britania bridge lock when he was there, what year was it when your Dads brother drownned ?

Mark Chapman, I'm going back a long time, it would be about 1902. I know that several people have drowned in the vicinity of Britannia Bridge.

Thank you Colin for the info.There were such a lot of different rail tracks in those far off days,there was another one in Ince, that crossed over the road near to St Mary's School. It always seemed to to me, to just have freight traffic on it. Where did this line start from in Wigan? The one crossing the road, near the old Spring View police station, must still be in existence. Is this the main London to Glasgow line? The other bridge I remember was near to Moss Lane. This line also, seemed only to have freight traffic on it. Is this line still in existence? Sorry to lumber you with such a lot of questions, but you seem to be very knowledgeable on railways.

Right Albert, I'll try and answer your questions, the one at St Marys was the Pemberton loop line also known as the Wigan avoiding lines. Hindley to Pemberton, the line closed in 1969 and dismantled in 1971. The one at Spring view next to the former police station, was the Lancashire Union Railway, from Fir tree junction to the Whelley line and demolished around 1970-1.

The one at Moss lane was from Fir tree and Springs Branch. The Eccles, Tyldesley and Wigan line. The London and North Western Railway.

Youngsters drowning in flashes and canals were the other side of the 'we were out all day, and only went home when we got hungry' days.

Just one more question Colin,if I may. There was a line that went under Warrington Road, in Clinker Valley,between Spring View , and Moss Lane. Is this the point where the London, to Glasgow line passes through Spring View, and beyond. This old brain of mine cannot remember,and it is many years since I lived in that locality

The Whelley loop line, the Lancashire Union Railway. From the WCML platt-bridge and rejoined the WCML at Standish. The line closed in the 1970s, but a small section of track was still used for the CWS glass works until the company closed under a new name.

I lived near the canal all through the 50s and early 60s, and went to school with a lad called Joey Heaton who tragically lost two younger brothers drowned near Britannia Bridge.