APOLLO's GRAND DAYS OUT

[springs branch]

On 06/02/2013 at 21:51, APOLLO said:

All the next set of shots were taken by my dad, (with me spotting - but I lost the notes decades ago !!). A couple (the super D and the semi) from the late 50's early 60's. The rest in 1966 and 67, when the Brits had their last fling.

 

We are at Whitley Crossing, a mile or so north of Wigan North Western on the 1 in 104 climb out of town, a pretty stiff climb from a standing start, and trains not stopping and running at the bank had a 50mph restriction through the station. So, hard work in steam days.

 

The nearby signalbox is Rylands Sidings which controlled access to the sidings and former Beech Hill and Standish colliery railway system which closed around 1964. The sidings were used in 66 / 67 by engineering trains. Rylands sidings had 30 levers, and was situated adjacent to the up line, 1463 yards south of Boars Head Junction, closing on 1 Oct 1972. The overhead electric went live in July 1973.

 

Incidentally on the flat land behind the crossing the new girls high school was being built at this time. This was demolished in 1992 land is now occupied by housing. The footpath crossing (locally known as Whitley Crossing) was replaced by a footbridge around 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here its what it's like here today. These shots taken through the god awfull pallisade fencing. Is it to keep us out, or them in ???

 

This is probably the best shot I've ever taken. 8 o'clock in the morning in April, sun just came out in time !! Tornado Northbound.

 

 

 

And finally Whitley Crossing's replacement bridge. The old signalbox was about behind where the middle of this DMU is.

 

 

Oh for the good old days. The Brits allways whistled for the crossing here - wonderfull.

 

Brit15

These are brilliant photos and bring back so many memories (but if a later time). Grew up around there and spent hours and hours there in the late 70s, 80s and early 90s. For the last 30 years drive past there on the railway. It’s completely different now.