A Compendious History of The North Union Railway
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| A Compendious History of The North Union Railway |
A COMPENDIOUS
HISTORY
OF THE
NORTH UNION RAILWAY:
COMPRISING AN INTRODUCTORY SKETCH; THE PROSPECTIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE RAILWAY; ITS STATISTICS; A DELINEATION OF THE OPERATIONS WHICH HAVE MARKED ITS PROGRESS; A DETAILED REFERENCE TO ALL THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE ROUTE- videlicet, THE TUNNELS, VIADUCTS, GRADIENTS, &C.; ALSO A STATEMENT OF THE FACILITIES FOR TRANSIT PRESENTED BY THE VARIOUS CONNECTING LINES OF BAILWAY; AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE LOCALITIES OF THE RAIL-WAY, AND THE PHENOMENA WHICH HAVE OCCURRED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION.
CHAPTER III.
JOURNEY FROM PRESTON TO WIGAN. Concluded.
The railway from the south end of Euxton Valley Embankment is continued over almost a level plain, to the Yarrow valley, and across it another road leads to Chorley from Eccleston. We are instantly at the bottom of the incline, and upon
THE TIMBER VIADUCT,
Over the Yarrow. At the east side of the viaduct there re-mains about forty yards of the culvert of two arches, that was built to convey the waters of the Yarrow under the railway, and to support the embankment across that river. But on the 22nd October, 1837, owing to the unequal pressure of the earth above, occasioned by some slip in the embankment, it gave way, and the course of the waters under both arches was completely choaked up by the accident. The consequence was, the Yarrow valley, for upwards of a mile, in an east and south-easterly direction, was, extensively inun-dated, and upwards of one hundred and fifty acres of meadow and pasture ground covered with water to an immense depth. The pier and northerly abutment wall yet stand in the position which they first occupied, while the southerly abutment projects above four fest from its original site. The total length of the breach was 'thirty yards. On the following Friday the waters, which continual rains and five days' confinoment had given the appearance of an expansive lake, burst through their barrier, and swept down the valley helow. Devastation and ruin marked their course; the produce of fields, the fruits of the gardens, the furniture of houses, and the trunks of uprooted trees, were "borne like bubbles onward down the torrent." The battlements of Pin-cock bridge were demolished; part of the mill was washed down, and a row of houses considerably damaged by the influx: of water. At Armriding, further down in the valley, a portion of a factory was swept away, and all the low lands
towards Eccleston fearfully flooded. Eccleston church was exposed to the desolating ravages of this mighty torrent, and upon Croston village it burst with the force of a cataract; the streets and houses were filled with water, the sanctity of its church was profaned by the deluge, and the fields and moss lands in the neighbourhood deeply submersed. Many of the farmers suffered considerable loss in injury done to their hay, corn, and potatoes, but most of the daniages were afterwards made good by the company.
Mr. McKenzie, a portion of whose contract the Yarrow valley constituted, had an allowance of £2,000. granted him towards erecting the present wooden bridge, any surplus amount devolving upon himself in his capacity of contractor. The quantity of timber to be used was limited to 15,000 cubic feet, although in its construction, owing to the nature of the slopes it has been found necessary to add an increased quantity. The bridge is 300 feet long, 32 feet wide, and 74 feet above the water. There are seven openings,-six of them being 36 feet each in width; the other, between the piles where the old culvert stood, 54 feet. The piles on which the bridge is supported are of Memel and red pine timber, and in front of them, to prevent any lodgement of wreck, or alluvial matter, stone walls are intended to be raised: The corbels, and sills of the frames, consist of oak the rest of the wood used is principally red pine. All the joints or beams between the boards are made water proof by pitch and oakum, and under the covering of sand and gravel, there is to be spread a stratum of asphalte. A strong hand railing five feet high, boarded between the openings, and painted green to correspond with the protecting mounds of the embankment, fences the sides of the bridge. At the southern end begins
THE YARBOW EMBANKMENT,
Seventy-five feet above the level of the valley. The slopes were originally set out at 21 to 1, but on account of the yield-ing nature of the clay, they have slipped nearly 3 to 1. It contains 400,000 cubic yards, and in length it is 400 yards. The Yarrow valley across which it is raised, is beautifully chequered with undulating woods, and verdant meadows; and the river which rises among the hills of Anglezark, and at Yarrow Bridge, a mile south of Chorley, forms itself into two branches, winds through its silvan mazes until it reaches Eccleston and Croston, below which latter place it disembogues itself into the Douglas. A prominent picture in the landscape from this part of the line is Gillibrand Hall, the seat of H. H. Fazakerley, Esq. Its site is on an eminence to the west, and a beautiful lawn stretches before it. Astley Hall, the residence of Lady Hoghton, lies to the north-east, although invisible in the dark umbrage of woods that embower it. The Yarrow Viaduct, we may observe, stands at the foot of two inclines, consequently we are again ascending for 1500 yards, at the rate of 1 in 100, Some hundred yards of the line over a surface of level country, bring us to
CHARNOCK HILL CUTTING.
We are about half way from Wigan, and are passing through an excavation dug through clay, sand, coal, shale, and red sand stone. We have scarcely merged into this cutting before we rise 1 in 330 as far as Pow Green Bridge, which is the middle one of the three that are erected over it. It is built of stone, and opens boldly with three arches, each measuring 30 feet in the span. It is about 50 feet high, and the piers of the middle arch are 28 feet above the rails. The ascont of 1 in 330 terminates, and another at the rate of 2 in 100 is continued over Clankatt's valley. We are speedily elevated upon the Clankatt embankment, which in its highest point rises 82 feet above the level of the valley. Clankatt's brook is conveyed under it through a brick culvert, 12 feet in diameter, and falls into the Yarrow, near Birkacre bleach works, to the east. The smoke arising from these works is seen by the traveller, but the works themselves are screened by trees from his vision. Clankatt is a narrow well wooded valley, and the brook that wends its way through it, appears almost lost in alders and brushwood, that dip their pendant boughs, stooping as if to drink."
Charles Scarishrick, Esq., it is said, intends forming a branch railway from his coal fields in Wrightington, to enter the North Union at the north end of the embankment. Messrs. Heaton and Co., who own Burgh colliery on the hill to the east, have sunk a pit about half a mile to the east of the line, whence they likewise purpose carrying a branch into the North Union.
As we pursue our rapid journey, it is possible to see in the distance which lends an enchantment to our view," Harrock Hill, to the far west. It bounds the northern frontier of Wrightington, and was once surmounted by a wind-mill. The mill was burnt down nearly forty years ago, and its old tower is converted into a commodious shooting-box. Hither, on a Sunday in summer, numbers of the rustic inhabitants of the district resort, and are admitted on the leads of the roof, to feast their eyes on the elysium and fairy land below. The prospect is enchanting and magnificent, and we have even heard the country, as viewed from old Harrock's woody height, compared to the Campagna di Roma.
But we have no time to particularize; our motion is rapid, and the south end of Clankatt Battery is neared. We ascend an incline of 1 in 330, and for some length are borne over an undulating surface until we come upon Livesey Brook Embankment. The little brook, whose naiad, in summer, must be doomed." to sorrow over her impoverished urn," imparts to the embankment its name; and its stream, which wells from among the high grounds in Coppull, mingles with the Clankaft, at the west side of the railway. A little further onwards is
SPEND MOOR STATION,
In Coppull, whither coke is brought, in carts, from Wrightington, for the supply of the engines. More southward, there is an ascent, at the rate of 1 in 100, for 600 yards, and the traveller speeds through a country, whose features are bleak, sterile, and unkindly. It is tolerably well wooded, and possesses a fair proportion of pasture and arable land, but the pastures are covered with rushes, a certain indication of the coldness and infertility of the soil. The cottages, too, in the fields and on the lane sides, appear wretched and ruinous. About half a mile to the right is Bininscow Hall, the property of Thomas Case, Esq., of Liverpool; it claims no other notice than being tenanted as a farm-house.
Within a short distance to the south of Spend Moor, our course is past Coppull Chapel, an humble and unpretending edifice, near to which there are a few old cottages, and some moss-grown apple-trees in their orchards. It is also sheltered in front by a row of tall poplar trees. Coming into
THE COPPULL HILL EXCAVATION,
The graduation again changes, the rise being 1 in 528 for nearly three-quarters of a'chile. The length of the excavation is a mile, and its greatest depth 40 feet. 207,478 cubic yards were removed from it most of which served for the mound over Clankatt and Livesey valley, and the remaining portion was deposited in spoil. Over the cutting is an occupation bridge, of three arches, whierbat is the subimit level of the being 284 feet above the dock sill at Liverpool, 2 tabo the station at Preston, and half-way hetween Pre din and Paviliad. Somewhat south of the bridge, there secondsh fell of) in too; to the south of "Hie Bibi" valley, obanditerrupted to Wigan, of 186 feet in' miles.
call to Copput from Worthington die Bibi .. and dir'it is a Molent; in some parts parts 35 35 feet higher had below that towelps to Worthington Hin exca vation. The title of the Fil is decidedly clássical. There is th Spring; iffe, portape, to the wit, at which some ilta tourist hairank, al 154 its a ancienta of his pótá ion, laft craved tuh a shore the Latin words " His Вы Bil itere Fhave druk 1990 Bibi brook gushes from thườ Putin, nhà nớc theeagh the valley than diécharges its into the river Bougin, Ylfingto
"Tila penger is Worried forare, fud caroids a sight of spire of Araudian, Chievon, adulik wat by sovuth, pointing with wilcht nuger' unto theaven. To the cast he soos, hills on hills and Alpa on Alin arise." Divington Tike raises its misty head to the clouds, and thoắt thườn its Foot the small though lourishing town of Horwich: Phekrol, the ancient Coccinum of tho. Domains, has its position among the bill to tho south-east, and doubtless glorios that the first conquerors of Britain formed there a station. of the
We fall from Hie Bibi" Onibnikment itito. The length whereof is three fourths of a'ulle, amelithe 'greutat
depth 40 feet. At the northern extremity is a stone occupation bridge, with one arch of the usual span of 30 feet, and from this bridge to the Boar's Head, the incline is at the rate of 1 in 330. From the three arched bridge in Coppull, a continuous straight line of road for two miles has been traversed.-Another occupation bridge is left behind, and we find ourselves on
WORTHINGTON EMBANKMENT,
It is a mile in length, and Worthington brook, at the north
end, intersects the boundary of Standish and Worthington. The traveller on his journey over it, observes North Hall, the residence of Captain Hutchinson, lying about half a mile to the left; Adlington Hall, the seat of Goneral Browne Clayton, is observable more south, and upon the hill beyond it lies Aspull Moor. The clouds of smoke issuing from the Adlington and Aspull collieries in a great mensure obstruct the sight, but turn-ing our eyes to the west, we have a distant view of the village and church of Standish. The church, which is situated on the east side of the village, is not without its pretensions to beauty. It was rebuilt soon after the Reformation, in the Gothic style, with the exception of the pillars supporting the arches of the clear story, and they are of the Tuscan order. This attempt to niingle the Tuscan with the Gothic, exhibits that debasement of eccloslastioal architecture which unfortunately so soon fol-lowed the Reformation. It is, however, a noble and spacious edifice, in a good state of repair, and is well stored with monumonts of the ancient dead. There is in it a full length figure of the first Protestant rector who rebuilt it and among others is a fine marble monument, by the celebratoll Bacon, that cost $1,600, in memory of Richard Watt, Esq., a native of the parish, and an opulent merchant at Liverpool. The patron of the living of Standish Church, is Charles Standish, Esq., a Catholic gentleman, and M. P. for Wigan. Standish Hall, his seat, is to the south-west of the village. The village itself stands on elevated ground, and is considered to be very healthy, as the green old age of some of its inhabitants has attested. Standish rectory, and a'farm house and out-buildings contiguous to it, are situate opposite the south end of Worthington embankment, from whence one or two hundred yards of slight cutting hring us to the rectory embankment; the length of it is about 300 yards, and underneath it at its northern extremity, Is'a skew bridge with a stone arch and brick wings.
THE STANDISH PARSONAGE LANE,
Where there will be a stoppage to take up passengers from the village, passes through it into the Wigan and Chorley turnpike road, near to the Standish paper mill. The embankment rises from ten to thirty feet in height. A short and not very deep cutting intervenes between it and Jólley's Valley, which is crossed by an embankment about 400 yards long, and 45 feet in height. A bridle road runs under it from Standish, and in our route-over it a glimpso is caught of Haigh Hall to the south cast. The river Douglas that wizard stream whose banks have been ennobled by the victories of King Arthur over the Danish invaders of his country, flows through the valley to the left. Its source is on the moors between Anglezark and Rivington, and it runs about a mile to the east of Stan-dishi, where it receives the scanty waters of Jolloy's brook. The country on either side its baiks is picturesque and beau-tiful, and to the east corn fields and meadows rise one above another, and yellow woods wave in all the glory of their autumnal array. But we are soon in the depth of
THE BOAR'S HEAD HILL CUTTING,
From which 571,967 cubic yards of stiff and stubborn clay have been dug, and nearly opposite the Boar's Head public-house the way was worked through three seams of cannel. It is one and a half miles in length, and in its deepest point is 65 feet. It is spanned by four bridges, three of which are of stone, with arches turned of brick. The two middle ones, over which is the Wigan and Chorley road, have a skew with an angle of 45 degrees. The bridge by the Boar's Head is sixty yards long.
The Boar's Head is a neat white washed inn, the property of Charles Standish, Esq., M.P., and "mine host" is Mr. Jackson. It is situated near the western wing of the bridge, and its white walls are just seen from the bottom of the cutting. The engines will here take in a supply of water.
Proceeding onward, with no object to gratify our sight save the green and verdant sides of the cutting, we cross a stream called Bromilaw Brook, where the cutting is for about 100 yards interrupted. On the rising round to the east, the seat of A. Haliburton, Esq., and to the south of that mansion, the seat of Thomas Woodcock, Esq., bauker, of Wigan, here come upon our sight. Bromilaw Brook pursues its course very deviously from west to east, and is crossed four times by the vehicles. At the second crossing a descent of one in 100 for 1,200 yards terminates, and there commences a fall of 1 in 330 for 330 yards to nearly opposite Mr. Rylance's factory, at which point
AN EMBANKMENT,
A mile and three-eighths in length, varying from twenty to forty feet in height, and containing 484,505 cubic yards, re-ceives us, and we descend at the rate of 1 in 100 (in which incline alone Bromilaw brook is twice crossed) as far as the new coal pits, which are being sunk in the glebe land, on the east side of the railroad. The line now falls, 1 in 330, to the Wigan Station, and the curve to Walgate-street, of three-quarters of a mile radius, is before us. We leave Wigan Rectory on the left, and are conveyed over Frog-lane bridge, which has a skew arch of 36 feet span, and is 30 feet high. From this bridge the prospect is charming and interesting. We see the old Parish Church, of which the Rev. H. G. Gunning, brother to Sir R. Gunning, is rector, rearing its broad steeple above the houses that environ it; nearly the whole town of Wigan is presented to the sight, and on the summit of a hill, to the east, is Haigh Hall, the seat of the Earl of Balcarres. This lordly residence was once owned by the Bradshaw family; and it was a Sir William Bradshaw who slew the Welsh knight, that had married his lady, Mabel, during his absence at the crusades, or holy wars. For this deed of bold daring, Sir William was outlawed, and the lady, as a penance for proving false to her liege lord, had to walk barefoot, every week, to a cross at the top of Standish-gate, which is standing to this day, and known by the name of Mab's Cross. It is in the township of Haigh where the well-known cannel coal is so abundantly procured.
If we direct our eyes from Haigh Hall, and cast them to the west, a boundless extent of meadow land, through which the Douglas pours its flood, is beheld. If the smoke from the houses and factories of the town ascend high into the regions of air, the townships in the western and south western horizon are clearly discernible. There are Upholland, and Orrel, famous for their coal mines; the latter of which places has gained some distinction by there being, a short time since, at "Orrel Mount," an establishment of Benedictine nuns, who have lately removed from it to a new convent at Princethorp, in Warwickshire. The New Church at Lamberhead Green is also visible, as are Billinge and Ashurst Beacons. The former was erected to guide the wandering mariner over the billows of the Irish sea, and the latter to serve as a watch-tower at the time that the French Eagle threatened to alight on the shores of Albion.
Having contemplated these objects, we arrive at the bridge over Walgate, in close proximity to which is
THE WIGAN STATION,
Walgate street diverges from the Market-place, and is conducted under the embankment of the railway, which here divides the town into two portions, by a handsome viaduct, supported on twenty-four cast iron columns. The columns were cast at Haigh Foundry, and are 3 feet in diameter at their base, and 16 feet in height. Their order is the Grecian Doric, with corresponding entablature, that serves as a parapet. The rail-way is carried across cast iron beams laid horizontally on the columns, the span whereof is 45 feet, and the width of the road at the top of the viaduct is 31 feet.
Close to the bridge is the Station House, at which we must isay, "Siste Viator," in order that a short description may be given of it. The old station, adjoining the goods station at Chapel-lane, was found so totally insufficient for the public ac-commodation, that the directors at once determined on erect-ing a new one, on a more eligible site, to the south of Wal-gate; and the present erection is highly creditable to both them and Mr. Tuach, the architect. It contains two good booking-offices, on a similar plan to that adopted at the Pres-ton Station, one for first-class passengers, and the other for second-class; a clerk's office, and waiting-rooms for the tra-vellers. It has a covered way round the north, south, and west fronts; enclosed by a palisade of ornamental iron columns, -the whole ranged in one pitch, with over-hanging eaves. We understand, too, that the company are about to erect an additional warehouse, 103 feet by 60 in the clear, and elevated two floors in height.
The town of Wigan, at which the traveller from Preston has arrived in the brief space of half an hour, has a claim to great antiquity. The ancient Romans, during their dominance in Britain, had here a station. Numerous battles have taken place in its vicinity, and its very name, in the Saxon tongue, signifies a place of fights. In the wars of the commonwealth, Wigan was signalized for its loyalty and devotedness to the king's cause. It was here the Earl of Derby fought, and Sir Thomas Tyldesley fell; to the memory of the latter, and in commemoration of the bold daring of that valiant knight, the monument in Wigan-land was erected, in 1669. The Pré-tender passed twice through this town, in 1945, and remained in it one night. Wigan Church is dedicated to All Saints, and ke presented edifice is supposed to he of the age of Henry VIII. The cotton trade is extensively carried on; and in the immediate neighbourhood of the town there are numerous minés of excellent cont. For six years it has enjoyed the ad vantage of a railway from Chapel-lane to Parkside, at which place a janction is effected with the Liverpool and Manchester line, This branch now forms & part of the North Unión, and is nearly over'a dead level. None of the excavations, or cut-tings, are deeper than 30 feet. The curvature at its extremity, makes a radius of 500 yards, and from hence we may either direct our route to Liverpool of Manchester, or even be transported (when all the arrangements are completed), in eleven hours, to the great metropolis of England.
A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE NORTH UNION RAILWAY:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 3, 1838
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207416738/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=4&xid=18fb8ee1
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