Wigan Album

Totally agree Ron,with suitable car parking facilities and trains running alternatively to Manchester and Liverpool it would be an asset to Standish especially with all the new houses that are about to be built.
It would mean re-installing the two tracks that were lifted years ago,which would be expensive, but maybe the developers should contribute to this.

I didn't even know there used to be a train station in Standish; I wonder how many old Standishers, or even Wiganers for that matter, knew this or remember it?, probably very few. Looked for the station on the Disused stations website and it's strange Standish station isn't listed (yet), nor one or two other Wigan stations like Platt Bridge and Coppull (again, didn't know there ever was a station in Platt Bridge and Coppull), although most of other stations are mentioned. I agree, it would be good to re-open the station, like so many others, but again we forget that this isn't the way the world works and things which should benefit the public in a fair way are the very last things on the minds of the power hungry who run the show and dictate what happens, when and how.

Closed in 1949. Next time you're passing through the bridge going to Standish from the Bleachworks, you'll see a bricked-up arch on the right hand wall. That's where you used to go up to it.

Al, depends what you call old! I think most Standishers over 60 odd would remember it as the platforms were still intact in the 50s and lads used to go trainspotting on the island platform, via the steps under the bridge or if the signalman sent you off, would sit on the fence along the footpath to Bradley.

I started work in 1949 and travelled to Leyland by train Boars Head and Standish Stations were in use then

the powers that be don't want to be bothered providing a service to people ,only making the biggest profit.
i fully agree with opening up golbourne and coppull stations ,but it just wont happen.hs2 only needs big cities.
why dont folk in these districts lobby their mp's.

Ive just heard there is a chance of it being re opened but Station on Bradley hall because of car parking that would be fantastic

Hs2 should make more free paths south of Manchester. allowing a more route for local and freight. If routes become available, you would have to consider where a local stopping service would run from and to. Where are the stations with bay platforms or reversing is possible. But we live in hope.

A Peter Richardson was the Station Master at Standish in the 1880s and 90s; then moving to Newton-le-Willows. He was born at Halebank circa 1849. His wife Sarah, one year his junior, was born at Failsworth and on the 1891 census is "Railway Room Cleaner". Their son Henry, 16, was living with them on the night of that census as is recorded as "Railway Porter" -- but not necessarily at Standish.

"Postcard showing Standish Station. Don't know why they don't open it up again, it would ease some of the congestion on the roads"

Because commuter trains don't run on main lines, especially at busy times. They slow up the faster passenger and freight trains and lead to even more delays on the system. It would be totally counter productive. Its would be akin to allowing horses and carts on the M6. Put the question to someone who knows and understands the subject and see what they say.