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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

railways

8 Comments

Wigan to London train fare poster 1967
Wigan to London train fare poster 1967
Photo: Chris Heaven
Views: 2,168
Item #: 29767
I have cropped this image from a larger scene of a station pedestrian underpass. Rail journey time to London "a little over 3 hours". Now it is down to 2 hours - but it costs a good bit more! The year is 1967. The poster refers to the London to Bournemouth railway electrification opening and that was in that year, and the adjacent poster advertising the new High Speed (natural) Gas shows an old penny dated 1967.

Comment by: Phil on 7th October 2017 at 05:39

Taking inflation into account you can actually get a return to London for less today than in 1967. For reference 60/ would be just over £50 today and 82/ would be just over £70.

Comment by: A.W. on 7th October 2017 at 09:59

There used to be a ticket called a "London Saver" that was available in the 80's, you could go to London from Wigan for £11 from Friday and return on Monday morning or before that if you wished. Did it several times in the 80's, really good for a long weekend.

Comment by: Poet on 7th October 2017 at 10:38

Remember that well AW. There was the seediest 'hotel' imaginable near Euston called Ken's. B&B a tenner.Wild years eh!

Comment by: Albert. on 7th October 2017 at 11:10

In 1958/60 you could get a return ticket, 3s/6d, on an excursion train, to Blackpool, and the ticket also gave you admission to the Tower Ballroom. The return train was known as the passion wagon. Happy days.

Comment by: A.W. on 8th October 2017 at 11:46

Poet, I remember a similar hotel near Kings Cross and God only knows what was going on the next room! I could hear at least 5 different voices, sounded like they were doing acrobatics, lol.

Comment by: Albert. on 14th October 2017 at 10:37

In the mid fifties, when retuning to Germany. On reaching Liverpool Street Station, London, and whilst awaiting the troop train to Harwich, always had a couple of pints in Dirty Dick's, on Liverpool Street Station. All the girders were thick with dust, and cobwebs. Apparently it is still there, to have a pint, or two, in.

Comment by: Linda Massa on 15th October 2017 at 14:08

Albert- the Blackpool Belle was a getaway train 🚂 that went from northern stations and goes on to say 'and the passion wagon would steam back home'. One of the Houghton Weaver songs.

Comment by: Albert. on 15th October 2017 at 15:09

Linda. All I can say is this, that there were many a belle that travelled on it.

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