Wigan Album
Wigan Corporation Transport
20 CommentsPhoto: Ray Smyth
Item #: 29183
the road at Leyland Motors, The bodywork built
right here in Wigan. The bus on the left has a body built by Massey Bros in Enfield Street,
The bus on the right has bodywork built by
Northern Counties,originally on Wigan Lane.
must have been before abram went one man operated as they put turnround at abram
I wonder who had the shop then? It was Crofts in my youth then I remember Eric and and Joyce Bradbury in the 70's.
Was this taken at the bottom of Tram St. Ray ? I assume it was. Could be wrong of course. It has been known. All the best mate.
Regards. Eddie.
Hi Eddie, This picture is on the left, at the right hand
bend, just before Dover Lock canal bridge. Regards, Ray.
Thanks for that Ray. It's where the buses used to turn around then. Can't say I remember the shop at the end though. Wonder what year this was taken ?. My brother drove for the corpy for 12 years up until they introduced O.M.O. , then he binned it and went on the wagons. Thanks again Ray. All the best mate.
Regards. Eddie.
I believe the shop was called "Grange's" around the 1920s. Yes, it's a very long time ago, but can anyone confirm that via elderly relatives?
I remember getting off the bus at Park Lane to walk down the lane, to the Maypole. The bus carried on for several hundred yards, before turning round to continue its return journey to Wigan. Is this where this location is?.
It is Albert. It is just before you head down Crankwood Road which is an unadopted road and eventually reaches The swing Bridge at Plank Lane. It becomes a normal road when it runs into Crankwood.
the shop was open in the 70's when i was driving one man bus we used to swing round on turn round
It certainly was Roy because Eric was in the D&D's at the Dover.
Hi Eddie, The Picture is from 1969/1970. From about 1970,the
destination blind would have read "Marsh Green Via Wigan",
Some locals whose geography was not too good, would know where Marsh Green was,but not aware that the "Marsh Green"
bus went there via Wigan. Some who wanted to go to Wigan town centre would wait for the LUT bus,coming from Golborne
as its indicator blind read "Wigan".
Albert, The location is where you thought, a few hundred yards down from Park Lane.
ray i only passed my psv in 1970 it was about 1972 before i went one man operated on abram
I remember the shop selling Grandfather Clocks for a short time. I think it was probably in the 1980s and the shop was called "Traditionals".
My sister and I used to visit my grandmas a few doors up from this shop every week the drivers and conductors would have a brew in this shop the busses were all back loaders then ,think it was about 1955to1960.the destination only ever read Wigan in those days.
Hi Roy, at the time of the picture, where the buses are was
not much more than a short cul de sac. I did about a year
driving Corporation buses in 1966/67,when turning circles
were very few. The very strict instruction from management
was for the conductor/conductress to make sure that where
reversing was to occur,it was safe to do so,and then blow
their "Acme Thunderer" whistle, and "walk" the bus back.
I never knew that you drove for the corpy Ray. You may have come across my brother at some point. He started there in about '58 and stayed till around 1970. His photo can be seen on item #: 29151.
Regards. Eddie.
Hi Eddie, I remember Jack Heaton, but I did not know him well. There were two "Turns" on the Corporation, and I think
your Jack was on "t`other" turn. Normally you would work a
week of earlies, followed by a week of lates, and occasionally a week of middle turn. Sometimes you would be
on "THree weeks mornings",during which time you would see
more of the staff from "t`other" turn. These PD3 Leylands
were good to drive, only 2 pedals, and in warm weather,you
could drive with the cab door slid forward/open.
Regards, Ray.
This is the corner of Crankwood Rd Abram .terminus. But I was lead to believe the No 12 service operated from here
Hi Colin, The Route number from Marsh Green via Wigan to
Abram was indeed No 12. The return journey from Abram to
Marsh Green via Wigan was 22. Regards, Ray.
when GEORGE CROFT left the shop mr and mrs KENT took the shop over in about 1967/8 the photo was taken about that time i used to deliver Harveys bread at that time in 1969 i started driving for wigan corporation 12 to ABRAM whent OPO in OCT 1970 with LEYLAND PANTHERS