Wigan Album

I wonder if Whitley Crossing was where my sister Anne & I waited to see, what we thought was The Flying Scotsman pass by. The crossing I am thinking of was across some rough ground at the bottom of St Clements Rd.

Another belter from Wigan Observer photographer Arnold Hall. Arnold was a keen steam enthusiasts who spent many hours photographing all types of engines up and down the tracks.
16 months after this photo was taken steam finished for BR on 11th August 1968.
Cheers Rev.

It was Helen, but by the time this photograph was taken the Wigan Girls' High School, and later Whitley High School was on that land, though the level crossing was still there, now there's a footbridge over the railway and all that land is covered with housing from Crowhurst Drive/Romney Way, and all the way up to the Old Lane/Beggars Walk footpath at Scouts Hill.

Helen of Troy. It could have been the Royal Scot, the name given to the train and its carriages. As mentioned above the houses were started 1963/64 before the Flying Scotsman passed through in about 1968. I was there to see it.

You would not believe these fabulous photos are from a newspaper, they are absolutely spectacular from 1967.
The Stanier class 8 loaded with coal trucks, at that time many power stations were coal fired.

Stanier 8f 48466 built Feb 1945, withdrawn May 1967, shed 55D Royston. So just a month after this photo was taken the engine ended it's working life for British Railways.

Further information about 48466.
The engine was cut up at Drapers Sculcoates scrap yard, Hull on 6/11/67.

I used to trainspot at Whitley in the early 50s and after seeing JUBS, PRINNIES, BRITS, the Royal Scot would pass. It could be any of the Scot class, like The Black Watch, The Cameron Highlander, The Royal Scots Greys and many others including The Royal Scot itself with its name on its wheel arch. I always understood The Flying Scotsman ran on the East Coast line.
Exciting times and happy memories. Thanks Rev David.