Situated just north-east of Piccadilly Station on Chapel (now Chapeltown) Street at the corner of Congou Street, the Railway Inn was a Groves & Whitnall beerhouse that closed in the 1970s and was finally demolished in the late '80s / early '90s. It opened in the 1860s by a James Woodman, who was also a lightning conductor manufacturer. From 1915-1935 the landlady was Abigail Wilkinson, so the Railway was always known as Abigail's by Mick Burke and his pals [1]. Wonder if Mick is featured on this photo of the Railway in 1927? This forgotten part of the city centre will soon see the tramline from Piccadilly towards Eastlands, Droylsden and Ashton-under-Lyne.
Former Railway, Chapel Street. (c) Mick Burke / Frank Heaton [2].
1. The Old Pubs of Ancoats, Neil Richardson (1987).
2. Ancoats Lad, Mick Burke / Frank Heaton (1996).
The photograph of the group outside the Railway Inn includes Harry Tushingham, 4th row back, standing to the right of the doorway (in the picture), wearing a flat cap and scarf, (a lady can just be seen looking over his left shoulder). He worked as a (railway) carter.
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