The Anonymous Widower

Wigan Wallgate To Headbolt Lane – 10th May 2025

I was now running late and decided to go back to Liverpool via the Kirkby Branch Line, with a change of train at Headbolt Lane.

I took these pictures along the route.

Note.

1. Wigan Wallgate station could be refurbished into a quality station.
2. Manchester to Wigan Wallgate is likely to be electrified, as I wrote in Bolton-Wigan £78m Rail Electrification Project Announced.
3. Headbolt Lane station is a new station.
4. The other stations on the line are fairly rudimentary affairs.
5. Only Headbolt Lane station is step-free, as all platforms are on the same level.

The Kirkby Branch Line runs across the flat Lancashire countryside.

This Google Map shows the unusual layout of Headbolt Lane station.

Note.

1. Liverpool is to the South-West.
2. Wigan and Manchester are to the North-East.
3. The station buildings and the car parks are on the North side of the tracks.
4. There are two platforms pointing towards Liverpool.
5. There is a single platform pointing towards Wigan.
6. There is a second track pointing towards Wigan, that has no platform.
7. None of the tracks are electrified.
8. Three red buffer stops can be picked out.
9. Trains to Liverpool are run by battery-electric Class 777 multiple units.
10. Trains to Wigan and Manchester are run by diesel multiple units.

All platforms are the same level and you can walk from one side of the station to the other between the buffer stops.

It is effectively a step-free three-platform station without lifts or escalators.

I have never seen another station like it!

Modernising The Route Between Wigan Wallgate And Headbolt Lane

Consider.

• With the exception of Headbolt Lane station, there is no step-free access on this line and that needs to be addressed.
• Wigan Wallgate station has an island platform, with steps to the street.
• With the exception of Headbolt Lane station, there is very little parking.
• The Class 150 diesel multiple units are forty years old.

The distance between Wigan Wallgate and Headbolt Lane stations is about 15 miles.

May 12, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Design, Transport/Travel | Headbolt Lane Station, Kirkby Branch Line, Liverpool, Manchester, New Stations, Step-Free, Wigan Wallgate Station