West Leigh and Bedford railway station

Like many railways, the line passed between rather than through communities, with branches off to serve the key driver - goods, and in this area - coal.

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

In addition, one "express" called at Glazebrook only and passed West Leigh and Bedford without stopping.

The "Up" service was broadly similar, but the mix of Saturday Only trains was even more complicated.

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.