Wigan Album

Why not start with the Class 47 at the front and avoid changing locos?

Loz - the 47 has pulled the train North from Birmingham - facing as shown. The 20s have been hooked up at Wigan to take it South-east to Lostock - where trains from Wigan can only head South for Bolton and Manchester. So when they arrive at the junction, they will be unhitched, and the 47 will continue on its journey, pulling the train North again. I presume it wasn't allowed to push the train to Lostock for safety reasons, as well as the inclines involved.

Thanks for the explanation Rev.Long.

I still find this rather puzzling. Could the train not go the north of Preston on what is now the WCML, then take the Blackpool line at the junction, and avoid the reversing/uncoupling procedure?

Your answer is in the caption - presumably the line was closed between Wigan and Preston - hence the diversion via Rostock Junction.
That leads me to wonder if any unusual workings are taking place to get trains to Chorley and Clitheroe while they're working on the Farnworth tunnel to enable the overhead electric system to be installed. Anyone know?

Rev. While work is carried out on Farnworth tunnel single line working is in place through the down tunnel during the week, with a reduced service. The up tunnel, which was originally built to take two tracks will be re-bored to again take two tracks and associated OHL equipment when the down tunnel will be closed and filled. At week ends all sevices are replaced by buses.

sweet mother of god happy days indeed a pair of choppers on a divert . this must be on a sunday because i had many of class 20's on this route they coupled up on platform 1 at wigan . mick langton i must be on this because i was no stranger to the sunday diverts ggggrrrrrr mini beast with a duff intow happy days indeed .

Another observation about the "bad old" days of BR (so we were told)- look how many coaches are on the train. Looks like seven to me.

The railways are busier than ever with passengers, but how many carriages are on a Blackpool train today? 2, or 4 if you're lucky and it's a Bank Holiday.

There's points fitted on the track now, just before the left of the class 20s.