The distant signal is at caution waiting for a local passenger train from Manchester to Wigan to be cleared from the station.
The train is from Speakman’s Sidings to Patricroft Yard and is approaching Cooling Lane bridge which was at the western end of Jacksons Sidings. The crew wouldn’t like the distant being at danger due to the mining subsidence here; if they had to bring the train to a halt it would be a struggle to re-start on the gradient, even with a banker. Probably 1966/7.

The subsidence was a continuing problem here the track having to be continually packed and re-levelled.

At this period all the coal from Speakmans went east to Patricroft or Sanderson’s Sidings, Worsley.
Those from Jacksons went west c1966 to Garston Docks. The collieries that served Jacksons had all closed, the last being Nook Colliery in 1965. Therefore, up tp 1965 much of the coal from Jacksons would also have gone to Patricroft.
In 1966 Nook washery was reopened to wash coal from nearby Chanters Colliery as the washer there had broken down and was beyond economic repair.