You might like to have a look at the map (here - it opens in a new window) if you don't know the area between Bolton and Wigan. Anyway, we start at the Bolton suburb of Darcy Lever, once reached by Bolton tram no. 104.
More history - Fogg's Colliery and the canal at Darcy Lever.
It doesn't appear that the Horseshoe Inn, a former Hyde's pub, is pulling pints any more.
Thankfully, the Jolly Carter, in the same village, is still open.
The breach of the Manchester Bolton Bury Canal between Farnworth and Little Lever in 1947.
Bolton tram 33 at Kearsley circa 1938.
To the south was the L&YR station at Walkden. An Atlantic passes through.
Walkden station in LMS days.
The Stocks Hotel in Walkden, when it was a Magee Marshall house. It's still open, but no real ale.
The Dun Mare at Little Hulton is also bereft of cask beer.
The Watergate Toll at Over Hulton is now a Toby Carvery and sells only fizz beers.
Onwards to Tyldesley. Here's an old photo of Elliott Street.
Some much needed relief from the beer desert we've passed through is provided by the Mort Arms, a Holt's pub in Tyldesley (Steven Robertson - Creative Commons License).
Here's the bar.
Next to Atherton Collieries Surface Tub Road.
Atherton was the main depot of Lancashire United.
Lancashire United was later taken over by Greater Manchester PTE.
Stagecoach Ribble was also to be found passing through Atherton in 1990.
Next, yet another closed boozer. The Hartcommon at Westhoughton.
Bickershaw and Abram station was photographed by Ben Brooksbank (Creative Common License).
Bickershaw Colliery was one of the last to operate steam locomotives.
In 1957, BR loco no. 47298 was on loan to the NCB at Bickershaw.
To the north is Hindley, where 45290 is in charge of a freight working.
In the northern outskirts of Wigan is the excellent Colliers Arms at New Springs.
