Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 24th June, 2012)

There are several photo`s of this signal box in wiganworld. Put `crow nest signal box` in search box above this photo.
Wished I`d been given a pound everytime I`ve been passed it !!
Much prefer travelling by train from Wigan to Manchester via Bolton.
Apparently it gets it`s name from Crow Nest Farm - that`s why it`s not Crow`s Nest.
When were these photo`s taken Colin and on same day?

Nice one Colin it,s different than usual, Dirty Harry might like it!!!

yes indeed it will be sad when they shut it down. ive had some great sundays passing crows nest box on class 40s doing the odd diversion grrrrrrrrr beast RIP crows nest

i like it alot it will be ashame when they come to close it down . i wonder what they will do with the signal box name plate i my just have to nip up there with a screw driver before 2013.

Yes Ernest, the photos were taken on the same day, the start of the working week about 7am. The sun was shining a little misty but a lovely summers morning. Top left: The busy box and still looks modern today. Top right: from Westhoughton to Hindley. Bottom right: from Daisy Hill to Hindley. Bottom right: from Hindley to Daisy Hill.

The last box my uncle Jimmy worked in before he retired, he spent most of his working life in Hindley number 2, I used to frequent Hindley but never Crows nest. pity??

Nice one Colin.
Looking at these images has got me thinking.
Is there any access to those locos that are rusting away at Springs Branch as i woild love to hahe a look round and take some photos too.

adder in the signal box!
An adder in the signal box!
What am I to do?
I can’t get to the lever frame
And the ‘ex Ryde coal’ is due

Bad tempered stoats, toads and frogs
Are the price I must pay for my sins
Bugs of all kinds and, of course, hedgehogs
And stag beetles with two-stroke engines

An adder in the signal box!
An adder in the signal box!
How am I to cope?
I can’t get to the instruments
’Cos my legs have turned to rope

Flapping, squeaking ‘umbrella’ bats…
Even spiders that roam, I’ll abide
I’m unruffled by hornets, still less by big rats
But of snakes I am terrified

An adder in the signal box!
An adder in the signal box!
How can I proceed?
I’ve not replied to the telegraph
I’ll be sacked for my misdeed

The ‘works coal empties’ needs to pass
It returns to the wharf each night
But my every attempt is reduced to a farce
By a snake with a poisonous bite

An adder in the signal box!
An adder in the signal box!
Why can’t I be brave?
My stomach is a bag of ferrets
To safety I’m a slave

Signals need to be pulled to clear
The loop points have to be swung
Yet here I stand pathetic with fear
At sight of a probing forked tongue

An adder in the signal box!
An adder in the signal box!
Ha ha, I’ve lost my dread
‘Forkie’ coiled around a lever
Which I pulled, and now he’s dead!

But the lever I pulled was not the best one
And I’ve had to go into hiding
’Cos the driver expecting a straight through run
Is now shaking his fist from a siding

Sorry it sould have read, bottom left, from Hindley towards Daisy Hill.

locos on springs branch well gone nothing there now only mpv's

I`ve heard of a snake in the grass but not in a signal box !!

What's happening to make this box redundant in 2013?

Hi has anyone have any info of the "Birkett bank hotel,star music hall"
From 1881 onwards ? ( Family search )

Warrington power box is to control Crow nest junction. Thanks for all your comments.

My dad worked Crows Nest & Hindley 2, amongst many others including Springs Branch & Wigan Wallgate. I remember him taking me into most of them at one time or another.

This is a man`s thing so I passed it on to hubby.he loves his trains but really only the steam ones....