Bickershaw and Abram
General information
LocationBickershaw, Wigan
England
Coordinates53°30′54″N 2°34′41″W / 53.5149°N 2.5781°W / 53.5149; -2.5781
Grid referenceSD618022
Platforms2
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyWigan Junction Railways
Pre-groupingGreat Central Railway
Post-groupingLondon and North Eastern Railway
Key dates
1 April 1884Station opened[1]
2 November 1964Station closed[2][3]
Map showing the location of Bickershaw and Abram station in the early 1900s

Bickershaw and Abram railway station served the communities of Bickershaw and Abram southeast of Wigan, England.[4]

Location and nearby stations

The station was on the Wigan Junction Railways line, known locally as the "Wigan Central line", which ran from Wigan Central to Glazebrook.[5][6] It was situated immediately south of the B5237 level crossing over the tracks.[7][8]

Services

The service patterns in 1895, 1947 and 1962 are fully documented in the authoritative Disused Stations website.[9]

In April 1884 the service pattern was straightforward. Six "Down" (towards Wigan) trains called from Manchester Central. In addition, one "express" called at Glazebrook only and passed Lower Ince without stopping. Of the six, three called at all stations, the remaining three missed some stations between Manchester and Glazebrook. With the exception of the "express" all trains called at all stations between Glazebrook and Wigan. The "Up" service was similar.[10]

In 1922 six "Down" trains called, All Stations from Manchester Central on "Weekdays" (Mondays to Saturdays), with a further evening train from Lowton St Mary's only. Three other trains called, apparently All Stations from Culcheth, but it is possible they originated from Liverpool Central or Warrington Central and turned west to north at Glazebrook West Junction. One of these trains ran on Fridays and Saturdays Only and the other two ran on Saturdays Only. The "Up" service was broadly similar, but the mix of Saturday Only trains was even more complicated. There was no Sunday service.[11]

The line through Bickershaw and Abram was also a diversionary route and a route by which traffic such as Summer Saturday holiday specials could bi-pass busy spots, such as Wigan. Pixton, for example, has a fine 1961 shot of a Summer Saturday Sheffield to Blackpool train at Lowton St Mary's which will pass through the station then bear right immediately north of Hindley South onto the Whelley Loop, joining the WCML at Standish, bypassing Wigan altogether.[12]

Opening, naming and closure

The line and station opened in 1884. The station closed on 2 November 1964, when the line closed to passengers.[13] The line closed to goods in 1968 and has since been lifted.

After closure

By 2006 the site had been razed to the ground. A lone gatepost remained as a reminder of the station.

Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Hindley South
Line and station closed		   Great Central Railway
Wigan Junction Railways		   West Leigh and Bedford
Line and station closed

References

  1. ↑ Dow 1962, p. 194.
  2. ↑ "Bickershaw & Abram". Disused Stations UK.
  3. ↑ James 2004, p. 47.
  4. ↑ Sweeney 2013, pp. 62–72.
  5. ↑ "Wigan Junction Line". Railway Codes.
  6. ↑ Smith & Turner 2012, Map 45.
  7. ↑ "1948 OS Map". npe maps.
  8. ↑ Shannon & Hillmer 2003, p. 91.
  9. ↑ "Wigan line timetables". Disused Stations.
  10. ↑ Dow 1962, p. 354.
  11. ↑ Bradshaw 1985, pp. 714–715.
  12. ↑ Pixton 1996, p. 119.
  13. ↑ Butt 1995, pp. 120–121.

Sources

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