Login   |   Register   |   

The Iron Bridge in Hindley

Started by: jo anne (34699) 

The iconic structure is to be removed soon due to electrification of the line. I’ll be sad to see it go!


Oct 2021

Started: 24th Apr 2022 at 09:56

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

Some photos on Wiganworld:




Links, clockwise from top left: Brian, 2008, c. 1957, Bill Eatock, Late ‘80s, c. 1958

Replied: 24th Apr 2022 at 09:57

Posted by: sonlyme (3350)

We used to stand on there when we were kids.Train spotting.

Replied: 24th Apr 2022 at 09:58

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

The bridge certainly afforded you a great view, Sonlyme!

Replied: 24th Apr 2022 at 10:06

Posted by: retep1949 (1184)

Stood on the bridge many times waiting for trains to pass underneath and get covered in smoke and steam.Used to cross it to go fishing in Deep pit and Square lodge.Sad really but that's progress.Any idea when it is being demolished Joanne?

Replied: 24th Apr 2022 at 10:44
Last edited by retep1949: 24th Apr 2022 at 10:47:43

Posted by: peter g (3509) 

I wonder when it was built, I will miss it

Replied: 24th Apr 2022 at 11:09

Posted by: Bruce Asher (24) 

Bruce Asher.

Replied: 24th Apr 2022 at 14:01

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

Welcome to Wiganworld, Bruce.

Retep1949, I don’t know when the bridge is to go, just that Sheila Davidson, a volunteer with Friends of Hindley Station, tweeted that it won’t be there much longer and that the groundwork for electrification has begun.

Peter G, I wonder when the bridge was made and who made it as well. It’s sad that it’s to be scrapped, I went to photograph it yesterday and quite a few dog walkers and a family used the bridge in the short time I was there. It will definitely be missed.

Replied: 25th Apr 2022 at 08:50

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

I think it was built originally, for safe passage across the railway for railway staff, and miners, because back in the day that was a very busy railway line, serving several local collieries, and there was a connection to the Blackburn line at Adlington, and because of the volume of the railway traffic, over the several running lines there, it would have been unsafe for folk to cross those lines by stepping over the tracks, hence the construction of the bridge LINK

So I don't think that bridge is needed there now, but it will probably end up being moved to one of the 'Heritage Lines' in this country, which won't be a bad thing, because if that happens, many more people will be able to enjoy that bridge, because it really is a nice bridge

Replied: 25th Apr 2022 at 14:14

Posted by: peter g (3509) 

T.T.S. It shouldn't be going anywhere It should stay where it is. It was built around 1890 and is an icon to us Its like our Blackpool tower.

Replied: 25th Apr 2022 at 15:27

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

I cannot find any information on the interweb, which says that the bridge is being removed, if it is a very recent decision, then maybe the condition of the bridge structure is very poor, the lady who tweeted the tweet, works as a guard on Northern Trains.

Replied: 25th Apr 2022 at 16:13

Posted by: jarvo (30250) 

Electricfication?

When?

Replied: 14th Jun 2022 at 08:10

Posted by: fossil (7728)

jarvo ,the railway bridge on Ince Green Lane at Ince station was closed for 6 days last week for surveys to assess suitability for electrification of the line.
No indication of any future commencement of the electrification works.
Fossil ,News at 10,Ince!!

Replied: 14th Jun 2022 at 08:25

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

It was announced last September LINK

It is the 13 miles from Wigan Wallgate Station to Lostock Junction, which is being electrified, as the rest of the line from there into Bolton, has already been electrified.

It makes you wonder how they are going to fit the wires under Wallgate, and on about Iron Bridges, will the iconic Iron Bridge in Wigan, the three hundred yard long urinal from King Street to the Station, will that be demolished too

Replied: 14th Jun 2022 at 10:42

Posted by: Owd Codger (3013)

Tommy Two Stroke

They are only are only electrifying the line from Lostock Junction to Wigan North Western so that some main line services from Manchester have an alternative route to Preston than the present Chorley.

There will be still diesel multiple unit services to Southport and joint Diesel/Electrical multiple unit services to Liverpool Central via Wigan Wallgate and Kirkby.

Replied: 14th Jun 2022 at 11:15

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

I forgot about that, I had read somewhere, that they were going to run the electric services to Manchester from Wigan Northwest, by bringing Platform Two back into operation, and extending both of the bay platforms.

Originally they were going to electrify the line into Wallgate, from Liverpool, using the live third rail type of electrification, Wigan Wallgate is the terminus station of the Merseyrail Northern Line, that plan was one of the reasons why the line from Liverpool Exchange to Wigan escaped closure in the early 1970s
A new line and station for Skelmersdale is in development at the moment, connecting to the Wigan to Kirby line, in between Upholland and Rainford, and it looks likely that it will be an electrified line, so could the Wigan Wallgate lines to Liverpool and Southport, be electrified using the live third rail system ? And there are classes of trains which can run on both the 1500dc third rail system, and the 25k electrified overhead line system, they can change from one system to the other whilst the train is moving, such trains are in use in London, so such a train could come from Liverpool or Southport on the live third rail system, and then carry on from Wallgate Station, and on to the Manchester or WCML, raising its third rail shoo's, and then raising its pantograph, to connect to the overhead electrified line system

Replied: 14th Jun 2022 at 13:57

Posted by: Owd Codger (3013)

Tommy Two Stroke

We can only be thankful at the moment that we have finally got rid of the 37 year old awful Class 142/143/144 Pacers (buses on tracks) which people in London have never had to endure.

No second rate transport for them, just continual renewal of new trains, buses and even new underground lines.

The sad thing is that some of the Preserved Railways are getting the Pacers for some ridiculous reason.

Levelling up is nothing but a charade where public transport is concern!

Replied: 15th Jun 2022 at 07:52

Posted by: GOLDEN BEAR (6555) 

Couldn't they start the work whilst the rail unions are on strike ? GB

Replied: 16th Jun 2022 at 14:24

Posted by: houghy1 (72) 

get up a petition to save it sure they could jack it up and repair it

Replied: 16th Jun 2022 at 15:17

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

Ladies Lane railway bridge is to be demolished & replaced: M.E.N. (18th Nov):

“… part of the £78m electrification of the railway between Wigan and Bolton … Seventeen bridges and structures on the 13-mile route must be modified to give enough clearance for 25,000-volt cables to be installed to power future trains.”

Replied: 19th Nov 2022 at 08:37

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

The existing bridge is a hotchpot of brick arches and metal footbridges, and is a lot wider than most folk realise, because at one time Hindley North, as that station was known as, it was a very busy station, with four platforms.



I am surprised that they did not electrify that line, when they electrified the Manchester-Bolton-Preston line.

Replied: 19th Nov 2022 at 10:19

Posted by: jo anne (34699) 

That’s a great photo, TTS.

Hindley Station is 174 years old today! (FoHS)

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 14:28

Posted by: tonker (27835) 

Is it really an 'iron' bridge, or is it just a rumour?

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 19:11

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

I would say that it is 'Wrought Iron'

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 19:37

Posted by: orrellite (2427)

As part of works at Ince and Westwood a footbridge was removed, from over the Pemberton loop line but notreally sure , and transported , repaired and installed at Parsons Meadow. All depending on condition I am sure something coild be done similiar . Or maybe someone has already got plans for it.
ps I think there are a number of issues regarding safety and electrification which prevent it remaining

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 19:50

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

Orrellite

This is one of two bridges over Poolstock Brook, at Parsons Meadow, and I must admit it does looks like a railway bridge



I have not got a picture of the other bridge, but maybe they cut the railway bridge in two, and put two bridges in Parson Meadow

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 20:30

Posted by: retep1949 (1184)

There was another iron bridge in Hindley behind Leyland park.

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 20:40

Posted by: Tommy Two Stroke (15202)

Retep1949

That one is still there.

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 20:50

Posted by: orrellite (2427)

Looks very familiar. Originally we only installed one and no ctting was involved other than to replace a couple of deck plates. Work was circa 83/84. Perhaps it was cut down later it does look shorter but everthing does after 40 years.

Replied: 20th Nov 2022 at 21:12

 

Note: You must login to use this feature.

If you haven't registered, why not join now?. Registration is free.