Wigan Album
Bickershaw Colliery
4 Comments
Photo: Harry Gardner
Item #: 12951
The lower photo taken from the same spot shows the same site in July 2008 afer bickershaw pit had closed & the BR track that served it was ripped up
I was the ganger on this length from 1986 to 1988.It was a difficult track to maintain,there was various weights of rail and an array of different rail fastenings.It was all jointed track until 1988 when c.w.r. was installed using second hand sleepers with mills clip fastenings,I believe these came from the East Coast Main Line.
If you click on Assorted, look at the railway picture Number 19920, This was taken in the same place but looking in the opposite direction. The line from here to Bickershaw was removed but was relaid later to cater for road borne opencast coal that was washed and graded at the Albert pit off Smith Lane/ Bickershaw Lane and then loaded into railway wagons for transport to Westwood Power Station or anywhere else it was required. E.T.
Ammendment, Sorry, my comment about a photo' on Assorted, the number is 42968 at Bickershaw Junction. E.T.
I do remember the Bickershaw line being relaid,as it was old bullhead track,(i`ve got some photos of it before it was relaid),i will upload them soon