Wigan Album
De Trafford Junction
3 CommentsPhoto: Karen Smith
Item #: 5465
I have lovely memories of this little signal box on the
Whelley loop line, (probably taken in the 60s).
Situated at the junction, next to Morrisons road bridge. Heavy freight and coal trains would leave Platt Bridge mostly with a banker heading northbound towards Hindley,it would pass under the Manchester to Southport line and carry on to Whelley and Standish and rejoin the Westcoast main line.The coal trains would stop along side Morrisons store,
the leading engine was disconnected leaving the brake-van at the rear. The banker is now the leading engine.
Once the points and signal are set,the coal train would depart towards Hindley, (on the line near to the Camera) under the Iron bridge, through Hindley station and on to Kearsley Power Station, Bolton.
On the right side of the signal box, you can see Smiths diarys building on Belle Green Lane, demolished in the 70s/80s. Left side of the box, you can see Empress mill Chimney (ince rose bridge).
Ormerods farm fields are situated next to the telegraph poles. Loads of memories in and around that area Karen,
thanks for sharing it.
The bank engine, although not attached, would assist in rear up the bank towards Bolton but drop off at the top in front of Westhaughton Goods Yard box from where it would be crossed over and turned back to Springs Branch. I know this because I was that Signalman at Westhaughton 1967/68.
I lived on Highfield Road Hindley during the 1960s and 70s. I think this is the signal box that our neighbour worked in. He used to walk down the road and over the fields to the box. I was little and sometimes walked over there with his wife to take him his lunch. On