Wigan Album
Transport
17 CommentsPhoto: Chris Heaven
Item #: 30631
Not just a charming glance at the past but a vision of the future if politicians got their fingers out.
What a smart looking driver. Looks like an ex soldier.
Fantastic photo Chris
Warm, cosy cab ? Luxury! It's out in the open for this lad. Wind, snow, rain it's all the same to this driver. Not even a seat to sit on!
He does look like an ex-soldier Jack. Did Hitler ever come to Leigh?
This picture was taken at the Great Moor Street terminus in Bolton town centre. This was the last tram route operated by South Lancashire Tramways, Bolton to Leigh (now bus route 582). The picture was taken by MJ O'Connor in February 1933. The trams ceased in December of the same year.
I had a ride on the last tram to Abbey Lakes in 1931. I was 6 months old and my mother told me about it. The trams were taken off that year. Later on, my dad bought a top deck of a tram as they were sold to make caravans and sheds. It was on our allotment until 1980 when it was finally demolished, having been a hen house all that time
Looks like the Metrolink is getting closer to Wigan.
Was there any trolley - buses ever operating in Wigan?
The driver reminds me of the photo of Captain Webb that was featured on matchboxes at one time.
They did Johnny, it was around twenty odd years ago when the last tram lines were taken up along Templeton Road Platt Bridge, the tram sheds being on Tram Street, not sure if they served all of Wigan or if there were other tram sheds around the borough.
There was a steam tram shed in Hindley in the late 1890s, early 1900s, I think belonged to Wigan Council. Part of the building is still there, it's in Albert Street, public toilets, closed, but still there.
Thank you Cyril.
I do not think trolley buses ran in Wigan.The only ones I remember we're on the St Helens to Atherton route
Yes. Trolleybuses did operate in Wigan very briefly, for 5 years between 1927 and 1932. There were 4 of them and they operated between Wigan Market Place and Martland Mill Bridge.
Thanks Stuart,I did not know that.
The Martland Mill trolley buses actually ran for seven years, Stuart - between 7th May 1925 and 30th September 1931.
Correction to my comment above - should read 'six years'. Oops...