WIDNES DEVIATION RAILWAY

(Widnes No. 7 and Widnes Junction)

[Source: Paul Wright]

The 1/97 gradient from Widnes West Deviation levels out at the point where the deviation line passes over Victoria Road on a bridge. On the east side of the bridge was Widnes station which opened on 1 March 1870 (renamed Widnes South on 5 January 1959) and closed to regular passenger services on 10 September 1962.

At the east end of the station was Widnes Junction. This was the point at which a spur veered away from the main line and provided a connection to the St Helens line. When the deviation line opened a signal box called Widnes No.7 was provided to control the junction. It was located on the north side of the line at the eastern end of Widnes station's up platform.

In 1893 the box was replaced by an LNWR type 4 timber structure that had a 20 lever frame. Only 13 of the levers worked the other 7 being spares. The 1893 Widnes No.7 box cost £265 to build and fit out. The box closed on 18 April 1982 when the St Helens line closed completely.



Looking east along the Widnes Deviation line from the western end of the Widnes South station site on 12 July 2003. The remains of the up platform can be seen to the left. Class 40 locomotive number xxxx is seen passing through the station. In 2003 this was an unusual event but in the period 1960 to 1984 it would have been very common. The locomotive was en route to Liverpool to work a rail tour.
Photo by John Wilson


The Widnes Deviation line between Widnes station and the St helens line as shown on a 1905 map.

Widnes Junction looking east in the early months of 1982. To the right can be seen the LNWR Type 4 Widnes No. 7 signal box of 1893. The main line runs dead straight towards Warrington. Veering sharply to the right and descending at a falling gradient of 1/138 is the St Helens line.
Photo by David Lennon


Widnes No.7 signal box on 29 May 1976.
Photo by Nigel Mundy


Looking west at Widnes No.7 signal box on 2 January 1982.
Photo by John Mann


At 13.48 on 5 March 1982 class 40 number 40 099 heads west over Widnes Junction with train 9T62 a ballast working. The view was taken from Widnes No.7 signal box.
Photo by David Lennon


Looking east from Widnes No.7 signal box at 15.36 on 5 March 1982. Heading east along the main line is class 47 number 47 347 on train 6T92 a coal working to Fiddlers Ferry Power Station.
Photo by David Lennon


The Widnes Deviation line looking west from Widnes Junction in June 1982. Widnes No.7 signal box is out of use and has already had some of its windows smashed. The rails of the St Helens line are rusty and would shortly be removed.
Photo by Graham Earle


A few weeks later and Widnes No.7 signal box had suffered from the attention of vandals. The up
St Helens spur line had been removed.
Photo by Graham Earle


By the end of July 1982 when this view was taken from the east end of the Widnes South up platform the Widnes Junction had been removed.
Photo by Graham Earle

The remains of Widnes No.7 signal box in April 2013.


Looking east along the deviation line in April 2013.

To continue the journey along the Widnes Deviation Railway click here

 

 

 

[Source: Paul Wright


Last updated: Thursday, 18-May-2017 17:23:40 CEST
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