Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 8th October, 2016)

unusual but very familiar photo!

Wasn't this called the 'Gandy' bridge in the fifties because of advertising for Gandy brake linings on the side of it?

Neat photo, Mick.

There are (I think) four railway bridges together, do they all get used?

That is a wonderful shot Mick, I walked to Wallgate Station, this way, many times 55 years ago when I was a much younger man.There is no doubt it has changed, but not that much considering the time frame. Thanks for taking the time to take the photo and for posting it on W.W. for our enjoyment.

Yes Fred it was. It read "Gandy Brake and Clutch linings".

Cheers, Alan...

I haven't seen this view for many years. It appears that the old NW Station has change quite bit.

Is it me or is there too much of what the council calls 'street furniture' i.e.street signs, traffic lights, crossings, lights, highway code signs, bins, bus stops etc etc etc.

Did there used to be gents toilets under the bridge on the right hand side of the photo?.

Jack ,there was toilets on both sides,dark green ugly looking things..my Grandma told me that a new inspector went down to see the chap that cleaned them.the story goes that the inspector wanted him to sign a piece of paper..the man replied that he couldn't write,oh we can't have that he told the poor chap and sacked him..shortly after the man took himself off to America and became a millionaire (I never found out what business he built up).anyway at a dinner one night one of his colleagues said to him "Just think where you would have been if you hadn't been illiterate." to which he replied " yes down Wallgate Wigan cleaning toilets."

Unusual shot but a great reminder for us expats. I believe there was a toilet under the bridge on the right, under the bridge used to be all white tiles.

Thanks Maureen, I thought I was right.I think they were made from cast iron like the one that was by the River Douglas bridge in Greenough St.

Just beyond the bridge, on the right, there used to be a horse equipment shop selling reins, saddles and bits. Facing NW station it was set back to the left.
It sold varied animal publications like Horse & Hound.
Walking under the bridge with a heavy passenger train thundering through was quite an experience.

Gary, I think the shop was Robinsons. They had a shop in Mesnes St.selling leather goods.

Gary,next to the horse equipment shop was Gordon Isherwoods shoe shop,the brother of Laurence the artist..a lovely man.

Jack - thanks for jogging my memory. It was Robinsons.
Maureen - I never realised Gordon was the artist's brother. Thanks for that. I do remember the shop.

Maureen. I was at WGS with Gordon's son Clive also a great bloke and a very good Rugby player. My overriding memory of Clive though was at the School Swimmiung Gala every year. There was an event called the Plunge where people dived in but had to stay face down. The winner was tthe one who went furthest before lifting up their head to take a breath. Clive was very good at this and I think probably broke the school record in his 1st year. We all used to watch hime with awe ,wondering if he would ever come up.

Hi there Maureen , i cannot recall the toilets near the bridge the only way to convince me would be a photo and before anyone asks my name is not THOMAS.

Hello Golden Bear..I've looked on all the old photos on Album..but can't find one with the old toilets on..however If you go to the search box at the top of this page and type in 'Old toilets under Wallgate bridge' you'll find plenty of references to them..good luck.

Addisons wine shop was on the corner just by Robinsons saddlery.

gb i cant recall any toilets there either .the only ones i know were at top of wigan

Great photo!! Old and new track beds there. One nearest was the bed for the old platform 9 and 10 of North Western. Now used as a road around North Western

Concrete under structure was the line north from platform 9. now platform |6

Sorry!! concrete was: Platform 8, which was a bay

Believe me Golden Bear and Christine,they were there..I was brought up on the street on the left just before the bridge..I'm sure it was still there in the 50's.

The toilets were definitely there. I remember the smell all too well!!