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Pemberton loop line bridge demolition 1971 Poolstock Lane.
Pemberton loop line bridge demolition 1971 Poolstock Lane.
Photo: Colin Harlow
Views: 3,802
Item #: 29287
The end of the line. The former Lancashire and Yorkshire Wigan avoiding line (Pemberton loop) it carried coal trains and passenger trains from Manchester to Liverpool Exchange. It was built to bypass Wigan Wallgate station from Hindley to Pemberton, direct.
The line closed in 1969 and lifted in 1971.
Catherine Bolton has more photos in item number 16247 and 12274.

Comment by: baker on 12th April 2017 at 12:53

it seemed so much higher when i was a boy

Comment by: Alan on 12th April 2017 at 14:02

Its high enough barker, one of the highest i've seen around Wigan.

Comment by: Alex on 12th April 2017 at 14:05

Can you believe people still walking underneath the bridge whilst demolition work is carried out.

Comment by: Garry on 12th April 2017 at 14:15

It would look higher Barker, you was a boy then lol.

Comment by: barker on 12th April 2017 at 15:31

It's baker get ya specs on!

Comment by: Garry on 12th April 2017 at 17:22

Sorry Baker.

Comment by: Barry Old Line Adict on 12th April 2017 at 20:29

This carried the fastest Liverpool to Mcr express ever

Comment by: Jarvo on 12th April 2017 at 21:41

...No it didn't. The gradients and speed restrictions prevented this. All it meant was avoiding stopping and starting from Wallgate. The speeds approaching Pemberton Junction were hardly fast: on average, about forty to fifty miles per hour if you were lucky...And then the steady climb to Orrell. No record breakers on the Pem Loop. Next!

Comment by: bert darlington on 13th April 2017 at 18:34

I think it was intended for goods only, the line was not intended for passenger travel thats why it cut wallgate out.

Comment by: Jarvo on 14th April 2017 at 07:14

The Pemberton Loop was originally opened to make travelling from Manchester to Liverpool quicker. It served its purpose to some degree, but it was never the quickest route to Liverpool. Excursions were routed on the Loop and coal trains were quickly passed through without the need to attempt the Wallgate to Ince bank.

Comment by: baker on 14th April 2017 at 22:02

aspinall's 7ft flyer's could do a a ton down the bank from upholland to liverpool.the loop enabled the l and y to keep times nearly the same as stevenson's chat moss alignment.
jarvo posts of the ince wallgate bank,no tougher start around wigan than the westwood box to upholland tunnelstretch.600 tons and above stuck on a 1 in 90 bank from westwood,i personally have seen some titanic struggles just to get the train moving from that start.

Comment by: Jarvo on 15th April 2017 at 07:22

And that was my point, baker, the Loop was to avoid Wallgate and get more traffic through to Liverpool. Upholland to Liverpool is irrelevant to this topic; we're talking about traffic on the loop, and as you rightly say, there were many struggles going westwards. However, a through start at Hindley on a excursion, could result in a speedy ascent through Pem Junction and up to the Upholland. But no Mallard stuff...

Comment by: Jarvo on 15th April 2017 at 08:08

...'An' excursion...Of which there were many; especially on Grand National day.

Comment by: Greg on 15th April 2017 at 20:29

Just out interest of: excursion where?

Comment by: Jarvo on 16th April 2017 at 12:11

Excursions to Aintree, of course...And there were many football specials coming from Newcastle and Leeds on the Eastern Region. These were pulled by B1's (in my time), but I'm sure other classes came through the Loop as well. Interesting times from an age long gone.

Comment by: jeff on 3rd May 2017 at 21:02

I have got the last remain in boundary post from that old line had to go in 4 feet of water to get to it weighed a bloody ton you could just see the top of the stone sticking out of the water

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