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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Springs Branch

7 Comments

Springs Branch Line 1996
Springs Branch Line 1996
Photo: Rev David Long
Views: 3,000
Item #: 25272
Taken from where the line was crossed by the Pemberton Loop Line - you can just see, beyond the embankment on the right, the fence on the bridge over the line from Irlam to Wigan Central Station.

Comment by: JamesB on 16th June 2014 at 12:07

I'm sure, at times, inanimate objects can exude a little charisma, character or appeal - these like any anonymous object found in the thousands of miles of railway lines up and down the country - simply don't, even though they are Wigan based. Just my opinion.

Comment by: JP on 17th June 2014 at 00:00

Hi JamesB, See 9th Nov 2006, The Hermits House. What does this say to you? Just wondering that's all. It sure worked big time for me, maybe because of the history.

Comment by: Colin Harlow on 17th June 2014 at 07:38

Excellent photos Rev Long, these lines came from Springs Branch Depot (next to the coach house/old hall) and went to Central Wagon works, at one time crossed Manchester road, and up to Kirkless, New Springs. A large steel girder bridge on the Pemberton Loop line span over this track. The Pemberton line ceased in 1969 and lifted in 1971. This line went over the Great Central Railway, the line from Manchester Central to Wigan Central station closed to passengers in November 1964, the nearest station to this was Junction Terrace.

Comment by: Loz on 17th June 2014 at 11:22

Colin, thanks for that info, I was a bit disorientated about the Rev's location. There's a Branch Street in Higher Ince, was that near where the track crossed the main road?

Comment by: Hawk on 17th June 2014 at 18:09

The sheer detail of knowledge is quite astonishing . Goes to show when the eyes and brain come together some things we hold whilst others we reject

Comment by: Colin Harlow on 17th June 2014 at 18:12

Yes, Loz. The line went across Manchester Rd, then Belle Green Lane, up to Kirkless, it could also connect to the Whelley line, next to rabbit rocks.

Comment by: cullie on 17th June 2014 at 18:39

i use to patrol this section of track in the early 1990's when i was based at springs branch the trenchy was to the right just out of shot and the floods as i knew them was a bit further on to the right full of fish both pond and lake. and the tracks had loads of class 40 action on them in the 1980's gggggrrrrrrr hear them growl to this day.

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