Wigan Album

This is the scene of the world's first widely reported railway accident, when William Huskisson, M.P. For Liverpool was run over and fatally injured by Stephenson's ' Rocket '. His memorial is visible on the right of the picture.

That Memorial on the right is a reminder of the first railway fatality in Britain of wounded William Huskisson. He died a few hours later in hospital.

I belive he was carried by Rocket to Eccles Vicarage, and died there.

Keith

Can you please send me your email address via ron@wiganworld.co.uk

I also was of the opinion that it was the ' Rocket ' that transported Huskisson to Eccles. I've read recently however, but can't remember where, that it was the ' Northumbrian ', driven by Stephenson himself that performed the task. Obviously a little more research is called for.

The train you can see coming off the Lowton branch line was also the Queen,s sidings where see stabled up for the night when on royal duties.

The driver was Edward Entwhistle,an apprentice from Tyldesley.

There is a branch line to this one from the west coast line behind were this photo was taken and it joins just before Newton station that goes to north Whales and Liverpool.

John the train is going ON the Lowton branch line.

The very first link of what became the West Coast Main Line was actually the Warrington & Newton Railway which was opened in 1831. It is the line that runs from Earlestown (then called Newton Junction) to Warrington Bank Quay. The Wigan Branch Railway was the second part to open in 1832. The accounts I have read also state that 'Rocket' was the engine that hit Huskisson and took him to Eccles for treatment. 'Northumbrian' may have been the engine pulling the train that the Duke of Wellington was on. It was he whom Huskisson had gone to talk to through the carriage window when he was struck.

Stuart, looks like some of my internet information is incorrect, just shows that the internet has its imperfections.