Wigan Album

Would I be right in thinking the loco is heading towards School Lane with Arbour Lane houses in the background, Where would this photo have been taken Barrie, I'd guess somewhere behind the Shamrock

On looking at the photo again I notice 2 fields between the back of Almond Brook and where the line is and the small property in the middle is where I thought Arbour Lane took a left as you are going down the hill. The fence in the foreground looks like it would have been very modern in 1960. Come on Barrie, where was it taken ?

The line ran behind Moss Grove/Victoria Crescent. I lived at the top of the Grove and our garden backed onto the line (nearly). Victoria Crescent had only a couple of houses on it (Wigan Road end) late 50's and it was another 10 years before the road was extended up to garden boundary. As kids, we used to go out from the garden into the short gully (the grass you see if the photo) and onto the line either up to School lane or left down the cutting and through Prospect Tunnel to the coal yard and flash. There was also some great blackberries growing in the hedgerows which we used to pick. The loco was heading from Robin Hill towards Prospect when I took the shot.The concrete fence was being put up by the landowner of the gully prior to more development on Victoria Crescent. I assume NCB requested it.At times we used to get one of the steam locos hauling the wagons up to the drift mine from Gidlow, Mother used to play merry hell when her washing got sooted!!