Wigan is known as the pie-eating capital of England. It also has some great pubs, more of which later. But first we must take a look at Wigan's other extant railway station, Wallgate. Here it is in pre-grouping days.....
.....and in the 2000s.
42997 calls in November 1963.
In 1991, 60009 passes through.
Just around the corner was the ex L&YR loco shed, where 49007 was found.
Further up Wallgate itself is the Market Place, seen here on a postcard of the 1980s, with Greater Manchester buses prominent. We'll take a look at Wigan's buses later.
Seen from an alleyway off the Market Place is the Parish Church.
The Makinson Arcade is worth a visit.
Back in the Market Place, it's full of Wigan Corporation trams.
A fine fleet of Leyland buses replaced the trams
Greater Manchester PTE later took over.
The Wigan area PTE operations went to Firstbus.
Other major operators of modern times include Arriva, Stagecoach and the Rotala Group.
Lancashire United once had a major presence in Wigan.
Ribble Motor Services maintained a depot in the town, where this rare Albion Lowlander (ex Bamber Bridge MS) was found.
Other operators that have served Wigan and have now vanished include B&D Coaches, Blue Bus, Green Triangle, Heatons, Lancashire Travel (MTL), North Western Road Car (the newer company), SLT, Springfield Coachways, Timeline and Wigan Bus Company.
Phew! All those buses! Time for some beer. First stop, next to the bus station, the excellent Anvil.
Back on Wallgate, there's the Berkeley.
The Boulevard is also on Wallgate.
The Crofters Arms, near the Market Place, is no longer a pub. A fantastic exterior though!
The Moon Under Water is Wigan's Wetherspoons.
A genuine free house, Real Crafty, is worth seeing out.
The Royal Oak was brewing its own beer back in 2004.
The local CAMRA branch recommends the Springfield.
The Tudor Rose is a sad loss.
So, we end this tour and this post at the Millstone Inn.
We'll head vaguely south next time.
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