Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 12th May, 2024)

When you think of the usual chaos of a Railway Station (When they’re not on strike) i’ll bet that the people who work there look forward to a few tranquil moments like this.
Nice one Colin.

Nice to see a morning sky over what is a soul less place where most people are strangers to each other.

What time was this, Colin? It looks quiet and peaceful and I bet the air was nice and fresh. It's many years since I've been on either of Wigan's Railway Stations.

There’s nothing nicer than going on the train somewhere nice. Reminds me of when I went to the Lakes a couple of years ago and was sent to the wrong platform. I went
( naturally) to the platform where the trains bound for the North went and discovered the train to Windermere was a ‘one off’ over the other side on the back line! When I asked was I in the right place I was told it “was over there’’ I dashed down the steps and got there just as the train was pulling out! I was blazing to say the least! Got my money back and tried again the week after. It was great pulling into Windermere without having to change. Unfortunately it must have been a trial to see if many people caught it. So it’s back to changing trains but that hasn’t put me off…

I like this one . Evocative of a long journey about to begin .

A few moments after this picture was taken the Highland Clansman Pullman Express arrived to take us on a journey to Aviemore. The scenery on the way was spectacular and the comfort and service superb.
I did upload a photo of the train itself, perhaps this will appear another day.

Good morning for the Wigan Boat Express.

Irene, it was 06:50 on the 23 April. It had departed from Chester and was fully booked.
We made the reservation last December, you need to book early.
We are think of doing the one to Windsor next year.

I love trains...when they are running.

Veronica, that reminds of a friend of mine from Bolton who with his girlfriend were going to Blackpool.
Thinking they were late they ran down the platform and jumped on the train, only find it was a none stop train to Glasgow!

I haven't been on a train for fifty years and would love to go on one..Cliff was at one time a fireman down Prescott St, so I suppose he was fed up of seeing them...but I wasn't.

Some of the staff are dozy though. I went to the right side first but there was nobody else there. I asked a staff person if I was in the right place and she sent me to the Northern line. When I got there looking at the screen Windermere wasn’t mentioned. I asked another member of staff and it was him who said “It’s over there luv”…the train just pulled out when I got there and I was left shaking my fist ..grrr. EEh, you have to laugh! So make sure you’re in the right place Colin or you could end up in Timbuctoo.

'I love trains...when they are running.'

So do I, but they don't run very well on non strike days.

Colin I certainly envy your trips that would probably be the most scenic to Aviemore by train we have been to Ballater,Balmoral,Braemar and drove back through Glenshee in the winter time around 2000 a great trip,today I’ve been through your neck of the woods,past by Albert’s Restaurant seems popular what did it used to be called and have you been?

John, it was The Beeches. I only went once on a Christmas meal from Boots' Chemists. I have never been since it became Albert's.

I remember arriving at Wigan North Western Railway Station in July 1967. It holds lovely memories for me as I made subsequent monthly journeys from Wales to Wigan for the next two years - the result of a holiday romance! There followed 36 happy years in Wigan. Lovely place, and you'd have to go far to find more friendly and kind people.

Irene thanks now you’ve said it I remember and it maybe a bit upmarket for me but there you go.

We once where very late to catch a train for Manchester and asked which platform it was leaving from .We got into the lift and then boarded the train on the platform we had been told the train was leaving from.After a delay of about 10 mins the train moved off and over the tannoy came a message this train will be stopping at Bryn Garswood then terminating at St Helens(trackwork after that). When the conductor came along we told him we should have been going to Manchester and he said the train we were was running late due to no driver and the Manchester train had been diverted to another platform

PeterP, I thought you were an Ashton chap? if so, why go to Wigan to catch a train to Manchester? it's in the opposite direction. You could have nipped to Newton, parked there free and got the train, 30 minutes and you're there.

George I wouldn’t like you for a neighbour I bet you’re a real nosy-parker.