RETRO: Wigan trains and stations over the decades

By Michelle Adamson

Published 19th Jan 2023, 04:55 GMT

Here’s a vintage selection of pictures to leave every railway enthusiast chuffed: locomotives and stations in and around Wigan, railway stories and a view of the Flying Scotsman, covered by photographers from the Wigan Post from the early 20th century to the 1980s.

Enjoy the ride!

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966.
The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time.

. 1966

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966. The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time. Photo: Frank Orrell

A well staffed Pemberton Station in the early part of the 20th century.

. RETRO

A well staffed Pemberton Station in the early part of the 20th century. Photo: Frank Orrell

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966.
The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time.

. 1966

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966. The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time. Photo: Frank Orrell

Enthusiasts gather to watch the last train, Tudor Minstrel, on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh, pass through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966.

. 1966

Enthusiasts gather to watch the last train, Tudor Minstrel, on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh, pass through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966. Photo: Frank Orrell

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh attracts a lot of interest as it passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966.

. 1966

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh attracts a lot of interest as it passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966. Photo: Frank Orrell

A crowded platform at Ince railway station as a happy crowd wait for the train to take them on a day trip in the 1960s.

. RETRO

A crowded platform at Ince railway station as a happy crowd wait for the train to take them on a day trip in the 1960s. Photo: Frank Orrell

Central Station on Station Road under demolition in August 1973.

. 1973

Central Station on Station Road under demolition in August 1973. Photo: Frank Orrell

Central Station on Station Road under demolition in August 1973.

. 1973

Central Station on Station Road under demolition in August 1973. Photo: Frank Orrell

RETRO 1972 - A rail workers go slow protest meant passengers had to wait longer for delayed trains arriving at Wigan North West station in 1972

. 1972

RETRO 1972 - A rail workers go slow protest meant passengers had to wait longer for delayed trains arriving at Wigan North West station in 1972 Photo: staff

Retro 1968 - Wiganers line up to see The Flying Scotsman 4472 steam train The Moorlands make its last run through Wigan North Wetstern Station.

. 1968

Retro 1968 - Wiganers line up to see The Flying Scotsman 4472 steam train The Moorlands make its last run through Wigan North Wetstern Station. Photo: Gary Brunskill

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966.
The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time.

1. 1966

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966. The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time. Photo: Frank Orrell

A well staffed Pemberton Station in the early part of the 20th century.

2. RETRO

A well staffed Pemberton Station in the early part of the 20th century. Photo: Frank Orrell

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966.
The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time.

3. 1966

Tudor Minstrel, the last train on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh passes through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966. The Waverley line was a double track line which first opened in 1849 and was due to close under the Beeching Axe of many passenger lines throughout the British Isles at that time. Photo: Frank Orrell

Enthusiasts gather to watch the last train, Tudor Minstrel, on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh, pass through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966.

4. 1966

Enthusiasts gather to watch the last train, Tudor Minstrel, on its way to do the Waverley run from Carlisle to Edinburgh, pass through Wigan North Western Station in April 1966. Photo: Frank Orrell

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