Wigan Album

Peter that looks like it could be Wigan ROF (Beech Hill),
That would have put you right on the doorstep of Gidlow pits & washery

Definitely Whitley Crossing. The lines behind you are the coal sidings, where the wagons from Johnpit, Giants Hall & Victoria collieries, had access to the Westcoast mainline.

Thank You both. It is now looking as these buildings could have been at one of the Gidlow Pits, Gidlow appears to be the likely candidate as Giants Hall is maybe slightly off the beaten track. Things are slotting into place now, I remember I left the car near to the houses at the top of Gidlow Lane; good thing I remembered where I left it in 1963 as otherwise it would still be there.

I'm looking at a surface plan of Gidlow Pits in an old book. No.1 pit was next to the row of houses, and some of the buildings seem to represent the low building with the short chimney. This is just a stab in the dark though.

You would access this on foot by going up Dawson Ave (first on the right off Gidlow Lane after it had crossed Beech Hill Ave) This was a dead end for motor traffic but a little path ran from it and directly behind the ROF to Whitley crossing running alongside the railway sidings. There is a footbridge accross now, but at the time this photo was taken mine and several of my mates initials would still be visible carved in the post at the top of the footsteps behind Peter. Vandals!

Gidlow pits were the the end of "Gidlow New Houses". my Grandfather, Peter & Uncle, Denis were Undermanager & Fireman (respectively). Quite a way from the ROF

I know were there is an old coal mine (pit) were there is some bit of a train track from the old pit and some weird shelters made from brick and iron, also some weird metal pipes sticking out of the ground of were the old pit used to be, if you want any more info, email me

Peter W.

Is there any pictures of the mineral line knocking about ?

I noticed that the WCML has 3 maybe 4 tracks there? It's only 2 now.

Thank you.

Tom