Wigan Album
railways
2 CommentsPhoto: Robin Leigh
Item #: 27900
The signalbox is obviously still open, but they've removed the junction with the Adlington line and made a start on installing the electrification masts.
Would this photo be from around summer / autumn 1972, just before Warrington Power Box opened and the mechanical signalling was done away with?
I worked in this box on the day a light engine was sent from Adlington Junction in error. It arrived here, but the actual junction had already been lifted, and it was necessary for it to go back and proceed to Springs Branch shed via the Lanky.
So I was the last signalman to signal a train on this branch.
I would estimate this picture was taken late 1971, because I was one of the original signalmen to open Warrington power signal box in September 1972, signalling the first electric train on the West Coast Main Line, which was erroneously routed from Weaver Junction.
A diesel locomotive being used to remove it from Warrington Bank Quay Station.