East Lancashire Railway
The East Lancs Railway is one of the UK’s best kept heritage railways. British Rail stopped passenger services in 1972 but it was reopened 15 years later by the enthusiastic members of the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society.
The railway now carries more than 100,000 passengers per year and hosts a busy programme of events. Much of its success can be attributed to its policy of fully involving the community and local councils in its operations.
Stations
The route runs from Heywood to Rawtenstall and is 12 miles long. From south to north the stations are:
Heywood – Bury – Summerseat – Ramsbottom – Irwell Vale – Rawtenstall
The main stations are Bury, Ramsbottom, and Rawtenstall:
Bury - Bolton Street, Bury
Bury is the biggest town on the line and many passengers choose to begin their journey here.
The station is on Bolton Street, at the northern end of the town centre. The Trackside pub is next door and is popular with real ale fans. There is pay and display parking next to the entrance.
Attractions in the town include Bury Market, the Fusilier Museum, and The Rock shopping and leisure centre.
Ramsbottom – Bridge Street, Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom is a market town on the edge of the West Pennine Moors. It developed as a mill town during the Industrial Revolution but now boasts a good selection of restaurants and independent stores.
The town is overlooked by Peel Tower, a monument former Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel, founder of the modern police service. Edward Allington’s Tilted Vase sculpture stands on the Market Place and is part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail.
Rawtenstall - Bury New Road, Rawtenstall
Rawtenstall is the northern terminus of the railway. The station was built in 1846 but closed to passengers in 1972. It reopened in 1991 when the ELR was extended from Ramsbottom to Rawtenstall and the station buildings have been restored.
The town lies in the Rossendale Valley and prospered during the Industrial Revolution. It is noted for having the country’s last temperance bar; Fitzpatrick’s Herbal Health on Bank Street. Other attractions include the Rossendale Museum in Whitaker Park and the Helmshore Mills Textile Museum.
Parking
All stations, except Bury, offer free car parking.
Timetable
The East Lancs Railway runs services every weekend throughout the year and also on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between April and September.
Fares
Ticket prices depend on the distance travelled
In 2011 an adult ticket from Bury to Rawtenstall costs £6.50 while the fare from Bury to Ramsbottom is £4.60. Full line return tickets offer the best value and allow unlimited travel all day plus free entry to the Bury Transport Museum.
Discounts are available for children (5 – 15 years), senior citizens, and the disabled. Children under 5 travel free.
People living in Bury, Rossendale or Rochdale are eligible for Residents Permit, giving heavily discounted fares for a small annual fee.
Bury Transport Museum
Bury Transport Museum first opened in 1972 but was forced to close in 2003 after the building was deemed to be unsafe. It reopened in April 2010 following a multi-million pound restoration programme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Housed in a former goods warehouse just across the road the station it boasts a fascinating collection of vintage vehicles such as buses, steam engines, trams, fire engines, and trucks.
Events
The East Lancs Railway hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Kids love the Day out with Thomas weekends where they get to ride on trains decorated as characters from the children’s TV series Thomas and Friends. Entertainment is provided and children receive a certificate of participation.
One of the most popular events is the 1940s Wartime Weekend, held every May. Thousands of visitors, many dressed in vintage clothing and military uniforms, enjoy battle re-enactments, brass bands, tea dances, and displays of military vehicles.
The calendar also includes diesel and steam weekends, dinner trains, classic car and bike displays, and the Santa Special train rides at Christmas.
For a full listing of events and more information visit the official website.
Future Developments
In 2009 the East Lancashire Railway Trust announced a 10 year development strategy for the railway. There a plans to build a stop at Burrs Country Park, extend the railway to Castleton in Rochdale, improve facilities at the station in Rawtenstall, and replace the station building at Heywood.
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