Wigan Album

The DMU's are already doing the local runs, and time is running out for the Stanier and Fairburn tanks. Great picture showing just what a great place North Western was in those days. There were still plenty of steam locomotives left and most London Midland (ex LMS) classes were intact; the scrapping would begin in earnest around 1963 just after Beeching's report decimated Britain's rail network.

That's not a tank engine to the right, Jarvo. It's a class five Stanier or Black Five.

I never said it was.

You wouldn't think it was the same station as today by looking at this photo; certainly changed quite a bit. don't know why people are strung up at beeching for a lot of the demise, because I just think he was just being told what to do by people above or behind him. In a way he was a puppet like most of our political figures. I doubt one man alone was the sole blame. What rail system we have today is a disgrace; extorianate fares, never enough carriages where people are crammed like sardines, very authoritarian attitude of staff like you're a potential terrorist, the usual brainwashing obsession with security and health & safety. There's just no fun and romance in rail travel anymore, just getting from a-b as quick as possible. No wonder we want them old days of steam back again, when you could sit in the carriage and stick your head out the window and smell the steam:)

happy Days! my dad was a goods guard and always used his perks - 6 free passes a year & unlimited discount fares. All this for his family as well as himself. We went to so many places and had great holidays. Wigan station was such a familiar place.

Wigan North West was rebuilt in the early 70s, many would argue it did not improve the place.

Prior to modernisation/partial rebuild in the early 70s, along with most BR stations, Wigan North Western was a depressing dump to have to use.

The prior incarnation had heated waiting rooms with comfortable upholstered seating, and a refreshment room where you could get a hot 'sit down' meal. I used it for daily commute in 1960's. I wouldn't like to have to use the present station for the same.