Wigan Album

These lads could be Joe Brown, Cliff and Lonnie Donnegan enjoying a pint before appearing at th'Empress Ballroom! :O)

Brian does bear a passing resemblance to Joe Brown, but I would say that Walter has more of a look of Bill Haley about him. Sorry Richard, we're a bit out of order making a dog's dinner out of your photos but it's only in fun. Rest assured, there is no malice intended. Regards. Ozy.

They do look as if they could rock around the clock after a couple of pints!! It looks like the " Teddy Boy " era after all. I bet there was no smashing up of the 'joint' though! All three wearing a collar and tie and just enjoying a quiet pint! Wonder if there was a skiffle group on that night!

Vb
Probably The Quarrymen looking for a manager! :O)

Vb and Johnny people like these gents had respect how they dressed, unlike today.

Well, well, well.
Tony Cook here.
I actually took this photograph in the Commercial Pub adjacent to the Parish Church in Wigan.
On the left is Bryan Johnson, Signalman at Rylands Sidings Box. Next is George Clarke, Signalman at Boars Head Junction
Box, next is Walter Stretch, Signalman Standish Junction.
I was the signalman at Wigan No 2 box. The picture was taken in 1962, and we met every Friday lunch time, when on the night turn, to have a talk. Hence the bleary eyes? because there were so many trains, one couldn't get one's head down whilst on duty.
I do recall that I actually paid for the drinks on this occasion??
Seriously, though, I have today re-issued a 340 page A4 hardback colour history book about railway signalling in the Northwest of England, which covers Liverpool, Widnes, Warrington, and not least Wigan.
The title is 'Journey of a Railway Signalman'.
I intend to send a copy to Ron Hunt of Wigan World in the next few days, for consideration to be made available to Wigan World readers.

Will keep you posted.

Tony Cook. retired Signalman.

Thanks for the kind comments attributed to these fifteen photographs,however,I merely acted as go between,seeking professional assistance putting them together and all credit must go to George Clarke or passing them on to me.

Tony
I hope you didnt mind the harmless banter at the expense of your mates!
Very reminiscent of my actions at their age! Cheers!

Hi, Richie, I remember you working in Rylands box all those years ago and George Clarke has suggested we all meet in the near future.
It was a lovely surprise to see the picture on Wigan World.
Unfortunately, Walter died many years ago, but I was able to attend his funeral, and was recently in touch with his daughter Barbara, through contacts in Wigan World.
It really is a fascinating site, and is responsible for me contacting many friends I lost in 1972, when I left Wigan.
Anyone who knew me is at liberty to email me at tony.cook75@yahoo.com to re-kindle some memories and hopefully make arrangements through George Clarke, Cyril Peers and Horace Davies.
I don't know if any of you knew Dave Borshik who was a box lad in Wigan, and later a signalman in Golborne Station Box.
He came to Blackpool last Tuesday from Disley and we had a day out in Fleetwood. He is at present working as a signalman in New Mills South Junction Box.
George Clarke has indicated that he is coming to my home tomorrow (Sunday) for a visit.
I look forward to any comments put on this website as I really appreciate persons who worked or are interested in the railways when there were actually more trains than bosses.
Thanks again Richie. Hope to meet you again soon.
Don't you worry Johnny you were spot on with your comments.
Best Wishes to all the gang.
Tony Cook.

Richie and George.
Great talking to you Richie this morning after all this time.
George, unfortunately cannot come up here today, but arrangements are being made for a few of you to come up here on a visit in the next couple of weeks.
Today, I am writing to Ron Hunt explaining what has occurred since the original book was published.
I was disappointed in not receiving an acknowledgement from Mick Langton when I sent him a complimentary copy of my first book 'Sojourn's of a Railway Signalman' in January 2015, but, all will be revealed shortly.
However, I intend to send a complimentary copy of one of the new edition to him via George or Richie, because I have lost his address.
Best wishes to you all.
Tony.

My cousin David Abbott worked on the railways. Sadly he died many years ago aged just 50.

Some of the lads are coming up to visit me today, and I am sending books to Ron and Brian of Wigan World, and Mick Langton.
One of these lads will be contacting you in the next few days. (Probably Richie Long)

Kind regards.

Tony.

We have had a big reunion in Cleveleys two weeks ago, and 12 turned up.
There wasn't enough time to fill in everything and the one person who was conspicuous in his absence was Walter, but, he most definitely was with us in spirit.
It was through this website I rekindled my friendship with Walters eldest daughter a couple of years ago.
I sent details of my new book to Network Rail Archivist, and BLOW me it was a lady by the name of Vicky Stretch, Walter's granddaughter. I just couldn't believe it, and the years rolled back to 1962, the year I met Walter.

George Clarke came to my house yesterday with Haley. What a day we had talking about how the railways were run in the 60s and 70s.
This morning Vicky Stretch (Walter's Granddaughter) rang me up, and we spent over an hour talking about her family.
Vicky is the Archivist for Network Rail based in York, and is charge with the documents of Brunel, and Stephenson, and guess what my book 'Journey of a Railway Signalman' will be placed beside them.
Anyone interested in obtaining a copy £25 Post and Packaging free, from Steve Carnes, 53, West Street, Crewe. CW1 3HF. email: stevecarnes156@yahoo.com

Noted Billy Newton recognised by having a plaque put up on Wigan North West Station in his memory. A true railwayman throughout his life.
Barbara his sister told me his ashes were scattered on No 2 and 3 Platforms at the station. A fitting tribute to a great lad. Tony.

Hello Tony : Seen your book reviewed in August RM & would like to get a copy : Can you tell me how to get one ?

Hello, Peter Calvert,

If you would like to give me a ring on 01253 821458, I will arrange delivery to you.

Kind regards,

Tony Cook. Retired Railway Signalman.

Peter,

If you prefer you can email me at tony.cook75@yahoo.com

Regards,

Tony

Hi, Peter,

The reason I requested you contact me is because I wish to give readers of Wigan World a discount on the RRP of my book.

regards,

Tony Cook.

Hello, Peter,

I believe you have made contact with my distributor, and the book is winging its way to you. Hope you enjoy.

Kind regards,

Tony.

Very interested to read the comments on this thread. I write computer simulations of mechanical boxes - feel free to have a look at www.blockpostsoftware.co.uk.
I am posting because my next simulation will be Crow Nest Junction - not the recently demolished plywood wonder, but the Reall Thing which preceded it. So here is the question - does anyone remember the box and how it was worked?
Even if that is too much to ask, is there anyone who remembers the working of the bankers out of Wigan towards Manchester / Bolton? I am looking to replicate the workings as they existed in the late fifties / early sixties as closely as I can. So far I have only managed to get hold of a set of working TTs but they contain nothing relating to The banking turns.

Best wishes, to all,

Howard

Hi, Howard,

I did work in signal boxes on the old L&Y, but the furthest east was Hindley No 1 on the eastern up line side of Hindley Station. However, I remember signalling trains with bank engines on that particular line.
Of all the bank engine sections I worked on in the North West of England, the one at Wigan was unique.
Trains from Bamfurlong Sorting Sidings were banked up to De Trafford Junction, on the old LMS, with the bank engine actually drawing up the train to this point.
The train reversed and was directed through the crossover road, and the engine in rear became the bank engine to assist the train to Crow Nest Junction.
I have some pictures of the old Crow Nest Junction. It was originally a very complex junction, and if you would like a copy of them I could send them to you on an email, but would have to get permission from the owner to do so.

regards,

Tony Cook. Former Special Class Relief Signalman Wigan. 1960s/70s.

Hello Howard,
I worked in over 80 signal boxes in the North West of England, and wrote about each of them in my book.
I included diagrams of most of them and some were indeed very complex in their layout.
Two, come to mind. First, Ditton Junction No 1 with 100 levers on the Liverpool to Crewe line, where I worked from 1956, to 1962.
The second Wigan No 1 on the West Coast Main line, were I worked as a Special Class Relief Signalman for several years. This box had two lever frames. One on the LMS side over (80 levers) and the second over 40 levers on the L & Y side. These were placed back to back. The levers only controlled the points and locking bars and a few local ground signals, but all the signals were worked from an NX Panel controlled from a facia on the block shelf, making in all a signal box with a total of over 250 levers, by far the biggest signal box in Britain.
I have diagrams of both of these, and others you may be interested in.
However, they are certainly not up to the standard that you produce, but, I think when you see them you will be able to make a good job of them.

What do you think?

regards,

Tony.
email tony.cook75@yahoo.com if you wish.

ReVicky Stretch thelatest edition of RAIL magazine has a lengthy article about the records centre in York and features Vicky .

George Clarke was up here in Blackpool two weeks ago