Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 28th August, 2024)

Yet another ugly structure. I can see graffiti on the inside and the bridge requires a good coat of paint. It does not look user friendly in this day and age and would not like to use it at night.

I think every youngster in Wigan has stood on that bridge waiting for the train to go underneath..I used to think we were all addicted to the engine smoke..I lived just down the road from there in Great George Street so I hadn’t far to go for my fix lol..
I have memories of queuing up to go to the County Playhouse to see various films,but what sticks in my mind is the tale told by my Dad,he said that my grandma had been to watch Al Jolson..in Sonny Boy,and walking over the bridge she was still crying,but when she got home she found out that my dad had been swimming in the canal again and gave him a good hiding..I also remember a film there a religious film about Saint Bernadette and men coming out down from the side entrance all crying…memories eh!

I have often wondered if you can still walk over there - it looks blocked off from the NW station. Having said that I wouldn’t walk across even if I could these days. I do remember going that way to the station many times as a child if we were going to Blackpool.

It is a bit grim and I too would not like to walk across it at night.
The path gets narrower, overgrown and strewn with piles of litter as you reach the Station, I doubt many people these days know it’s there. If they did and like myself they would always take the safer route up Wallgate.
The side rails used to be iron or steel lattice work, you could stick you head through as the train built up steam coming through the tunnel from Wallgate Station and then roaring like thunder belched out steam, smoke and ash enveloping the entire bridge. Happy days.

My mum told me the queue to see the Wizard of Oz was right over the iron bridge.
I haven't seen the structure since the 60s - amazed it is still there.

I remember going over that bridge many times with my Mam when I was a child and seeing engines shunting underneath. Our coats were damp from the steam when we got to the other end!

Maureen, actress Jennifer Jones was in 'The Song of Bernadette'

Due to being told stories about people being mugged in that foot bridge area. We never dared to cross it alone or in the dark....oh no.

I wonder what happened to all the people who used to go train spotting from that footbridge.

Interesting picture Colin . I haven't crossed there for years , and a little surprised it's still there. . We often used it to get a taxi from the station after a night down the Bier Keller .
Maureen's reflection on the steam trains passing below makes me think of scenes in many old films , 'The Ladykillers' and 'A Kind of Loving' being a couple that come to mind .
Perhaps a few hanging basket on those cross bars would cheer it up a bit :-) . What is the correct architectural term for those ' crossbars '.

Poet, don’t overlook ‘Brief Encounter’. I bet there were many on that bridge at night of the wrong sort!!!!

FYI. The photo was taken from the top of the multi story car park at the station.

T.D.yes you’ve just jogged my memory..she was made for that type of film wasn’t she.

Yes Poet,I wonder just how many films show steam trains in the background..I bet there’s quite a few.

A good choice Colin . 'Brief Encounter' is often perceived as a ' woman's ' film but it isn't . It has some fantastic railway cinematography . It's the movie that first got me interested in film noir and the British New Wave .
' Look Back in Anger ' , with a very nowty Richard Burton and the enchanting Clare Bloom is another cracker .
By the way , there's a superb BFI Free Cinema film by Michael Grigsby called ' Enginemen ' , that really portrays the days of steam in all its mucky glory . If anyone is interested you can see it if you Google ' Enginemen ' film 1959 , and select BFI player .
Lasts 21 mins .

If I remember right the lad who used to go around Wigan on a bike rode over this bridge a few times.
Ive just had a quick looked on his YouTube channel but I coudnt actually find any.

As you say Colin much of it still the same as it was, though the bridge from the County end was much lower than the bridge leading to the North Western Stn end with steps leading up to it, then it was altered to be all one level, also I'm sure that there were lights across there too. Though is the bridge still in use with the multi-storey car park being there now?

Poet, stanchion may be one name for them, they also look as though maybe they were to form a framework for a covering above the walkway - though probably not.

Colin you posted that you took the photo from the car park . It is only this last few weeks I have come into Wigan passed the stations . I spotted that the fancy wind turbines have been removed from the car park roof .

Does anyone remember seeing the 1941 film ‘The Ghost Train’ staring Arthur Askey?

Our broken society is missing such good hidings Maureen

'Made for those type of films'
Yes I agree Maureen, she was and she won the academy award.

Yes I remember seeing ‘The ghost train film’ but I’ve forgotten who the actor was …was it really Arthur Askey,I do remember it frightened me to death…it was only the other week when I was thinking about it.

Besides the great film ‘Brief Encounter’ there were other films I can think of -
‘ Bridge Over the River Kwai’
‘ Von Ryan’s Express’
“ 3 -10 to Yuma”
“ The Lady Vanishes”
“ Murder on The Orient Express”.
Anymore ?…..
This morning I was on the Ravenglass Eskdale Express (for Pygmies). It was great. And I went in the Museum.!

The Ghost Train is a cracking film from that era,Arthur Askey and Stinker Murdoch.Written by Arnold Ridley,private Godfrey in Dads Army.Seen it on stage as well.

Colin, Veronica and I are Brief Encounter fans and often quote from it.

Colin, I never saw the film at the pictures, but have watched on DVD and it was some time ago, but I do remember it being more comedy than horror with Arthur Askey, though it's good for the time even with the usual plots of whatever can happen on a stormy night. If you get hold of a copy it is worth watching, or it can be seen here on youtube:
https://youtu.be/pgCXCTxXkqc?si=b97LsRN-STIcGMZ3

I've just been watching it for a while and was thinking that I haven't heard anyone say "Gerroutcha" for years.

I haven't seen the 1941 Arthur Askey 'Ghost Train' film Colin, but I did see a delightful 1953 comedy film about trains titled
'The Titfield Thunderbolt'

i worked in a shop at the base of that office block,repairing t/vs,s.we had an aerial fastened to the fire escape getting signals from the midlands,pre winter hill being built.

Ps How could I forget ‘The Train’ with Paul Scholefield starring in 1964. A brilliant film …

Love Lal Ratty .