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Written by Bevan Price - 03 Apr 2004
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Location notes
A busy station on West Coast Main Line.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger services by Virgin West Coast & Cross Country, with Pendolinos & Voyagers.
First North Western - DMU Classes 142, 150, 156, 158. Class 175 (First North Western or Trans Pennine Express) appear only during diversions from other routes due to engineering work.
Freight services operated by DRS, DB Schenker and Freightliner - increasingly dominated by Class 66, but Classes 20, 37, 60 and 86 may also be seen.
From the south end of the platforms, trains on the Wigan Wallgate line can also be seen. Passenger traffic on the Wallgate line is entirely First North Western DMU's. One daily return freight between Immingham & Knowsley.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Wigan North Western Station
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Within a busy town.
Road directions
From the M6 (South):
Leave the M62 at Junction 25. Take the A49 and head towards Wigan.

From the West:
Use the A571 from St. Helens or the A577 from Ormskirk & Skelmersdale.

From the M6 (North) and the M58:
On the M6, ignore the Wigan signs at Junction 27 and continue south to Junction 26 (M58). Take the joint M6/M58 sliproad onto the A577 and turn eastwards towards Wigan town centre.

The three routes converge at a large roundabout about 1 mile from Wigan town centre. Head towards the town centre, passing under the railway bridge. After crossing a canal bridge, you may find it less expensive to park near Wigan Pier turn left into Wilcock Street, then first right into Pennyhurst Street, where car parking is available. Alternatively, continue driving past Wigan Pier until you pass under the WCML overbridge, when Wigan North Western is immediately on the right. Car parking available at Virgin prices. If you park near Wigan Pier, return on foot to the main A49 road and head for the town centre.
Walking time about 7 minutes.

Drivers approaching Wigan from the A573 (south), A577 (east) and A49 (north) will need to negotiate a complex and sometimes confusing one-way system. Head for Wigan town centre and follow signs for the railway stations. If you wish to park at Wigan Pier, follow signs for A49/M6 (south)/A571 (St. Helens) / A577 (Skelmersdale/Ormskirk). After passing Wigan Pier on the right, and then the First bus depot on the left, turn sharp right, back towards Wigan town centre, then turn left into Wilcock Street.

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Wigan North Western Station map co-ordinates
Parking
Expensive at Wigan North Western.
Cheap or free near Wigan Pier.
Early arrivals may find limited on-street parking in side streets on the north side of the A49 between Wigan Pier and Wigan North Western station.
Public transport
By rail to Wigan North Western or Wallgate stations - Wallgate is a short walk across the road from North Western station.

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Amenities
Small buffet on Platform 4. Various cafes & take-aways available in the town centre, but note that spot ticket checks may take place at the station exit.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Wigan North Western Station

Googly map
Streetmap links
Wigan North Western Station general view map
Wigan North Western Station close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Wigan North Western Station



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Railway Gen Group
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Photographic notes
From Platform 5 or 6, the sun ok for southbound trains on WCML until mid-day / early pm. From south end of platform 5/6, sun ok in afternoon & early evening for photos of northbound trains on WCML, and for trains heading towards Wigan Wallgate.


General views - All photographs © Bevan Price unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

An early morning view from the north end of platform 4.

Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south

A late afternoon shot from platform 5.

Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south

An early morning view from platform 4.

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