THEEAST LANCASHIRE

RAILWAY

OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK

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WelcomeWelcome to the East Lancashire Railway. This is a railway where the past comes back to life, as you relax and enjoy a journey back in time to the golden era of rail travel, hauled by one of our vintage steam or diesellocomotives. The railway follows part of the route of the original East Lancashire Railway, serving the towns of Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall, along with places further afield.

The infamous Beeching report of March 1963, “The Reshaping of British Railways”, highlighted many local railway lines that the railway axeman believed should be closed, and the areas around Bury and the RossendaleValley were hit hard by these proposals, with only the Bury to Manchester electric service (now part of Metrolink) surviving the closurethreat. The section of line between Bury and Heywood closed topassengers in October 1970 closely followed by the Bury to Rawtenstallline in June 1972, although it was their continued use as a freight route for coal traffic until December 1980 that was the catalyst to the lines ultimate survival.

Formed in 1968 at Helmshore station (on the now closed Stubbins Junction to Accrington line), the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society moved to Bury in 1972, establishing a transport museum at Castlecroft Goods Shed, whilst working to preserve the line from Bury to Rawtenstall for the enjoyment of future generations. The first sectionof the route, from Bury Bolton Street to Ramsbottom reopened to passengers in July 1987, followed by the Ramsbottom to Rawtenstall sectionin from April 1991. An easterly extension from Bury to Heywood was completed in September 2003 and plans are currently being worked on to extend even further towards Castleton at some stage in the future.

Our trains carry thousands of visitors over the 12-mile line from Heywood to Rawtenstall, taking them to the numerous attractions and great places to visit that are served by the line. A day on the East Lancashire Railway is a real day of discovery.

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The RailwayAfter the official closure by British Railways, the line was reopenedbetween Bury and Ramsbottom on 25 July 1987 - some 15 years after the last regular passenger service had operated - under the auspices of the East Lancashire Railway. The East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society were instrumental in the re-opening and quickly became ambitious and wanted to grow further.

The railway quickly established its place in the local community and wasextended northwards along the Irwell Valley for a further four miles to Irwell Vale and Rawtenstall, which became the northern terminus of the railway on 27 April 1991. However, by this stage, the railway was faced with losing its main line connection to the national rail network with theimpending conversion of the Bury to Manchester line to form the first phase of Metrolink - making the transfer of railway rolling stock along this route no longer possible.

The conversion of the Bury to Manchester line prompted East Lancashire Railway officials to look into the restoration of the derelict line from Bury to Heywood, which would allow the railway to re-establish a main line connection at Hopwood Junction (a short distance to the east of

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Heywood). A number of engineering challenges had to be overcome before the route could be completed, including the construction of a new bridge - known locally as the ‘Ski Jump’ due to the steep gradients on either side of the bridge - to carry the route over the Metrolink line at Bury (on the site of the former Bury Knowsley Street station) and the reinstatement of a missing bridge over Pilsworth Road at Broadfield. The official opening to Heywood took place in September 2003.

The railway now attracts around 150,000 visitors every year, each coming for a variety of reasons, whether it be for a day out with a difference, to attend one of our many and varied special events, a luxury dining train experience, or to take to the controls of one of our locomotives on our fantastic Footplate Experience Courses.

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HeywoodHeywood station lies roughly a mile away from the town centre and is the result of the ELR’s efforts when the extension from Bury opened in September 2003. To reach Heywood the line crosses over the Manchester Metrolink line near Bury, courtesy of a steeplygraded bridge known locally as ‘The Ski-Jump’. The line then stretcheseastwards, before reaching Heywood four miles later. The line continues from Heywood towards Castleton to join Network Rail. This is our connection with the rest of UK and allows the railway to bring in star guests like ‘Tornado’ for special events.

Heywood lies on the south bank of the River Roch and is 2.4 miles east of Bury and 7.4 miles north of the city of Manchester. Like a lot of towns in Lancashire, Heywood became an importantpart of the cotton industry. It benefitted from the Industrial Revolution in the 1800’s and became an important factory town. An influx of ‘strangers’ in the town took place due to the extraordinary growth of the cotton trade which, in turn led to the town becoming a municipal borough in 1881.

Heywood also has a nickname – “Monkey Town”. This is due to a piece of interesting local folklore which suggests that the men of Heywood once had tails and that they had holes in benches so they could sit down.

There is plenty to explore and see in Heywood including the Civic Centre which boasts a theatre and holds many events throughout the year.

If you prefer a sedate walk then you should visit Queen’s Park, close to the town centre. This restored Victorian park features a lake, children’s play areas, a visitor centre and a café. If you want to spend

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more time on a steam train, Springfield Park, one mile away on the road towards Rochdale, has a miniature steam railway running duringthe summer.

If you have some spare time to venture further afield to Rochdale town centre, Touchstones Art Gallery and Museum, along with the RochdaleTown Hall should firmly be on your list of must-sees. Once there you should also take the time to look around the Greater ManchesterFire Service Museum, where you can explore the heroic history ofManchester’s brave fire-fighters. You can also take a stroll down a replica of a typical Victorian street and visit a scene from the Blitz. Don’t forget The Pioneers’ Museum, home of the first Co-operative shop and the start of the worldwide movement which now has over one billion members!

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BuryThe hub of the East Lancashire Railway is located in Bury and has been ever since the society moved from its Helmshore base in1972.

Bury Bolton Street station is much the same as it was during the days of British Railways and still stands as an example of 1950’s railway architecture.

Bury emerged during the Industrial Revolution as a mill town centred on textile manufacture. Evidence from the 17th Century indicates that textiles became an important part of the towns economy. The remains of 18th-century weavers’ cottages in Elton, on the west side of Bury, indicate that domestic textile production was an important factor of the local economy at a time when Bury’s textile industry was dominated by woollens.

The town has also been home to the Lancashire Fusiliers since the companies foundation in 1881. To celebrate this a steam engineon the line is now also the bearer of the name ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’ in memory of the barracks in the regimental town.

In the post-war period, there was a major decline in the cotton industry, and in common with many neighbouring towns, Bury’s skyline was soon very different, with countless factory chimneys pulled down and the associated mills closing their doors forever. The old shopping area around Princess Street and Union Square was demolished in the late 1960s, and a concrete precinct emerged toreplace it. This development was replaced by the Mill Gate Shopping Centre in the late 1990s.

Bury is also the home to the world-famousmarket and for over 500 years it has dominated the retail consumer market still attracting250,000 visitors a week!

Bury is now also noted for its excellent transport link from Manchester being part of the expanding Metrolink network and making getting to the town even easier by public transport.

Visitors arriving at the station will notice how the original ambience of times gone by has been retained as you are greeted at the old style ticket counter in Bolton Street before heading to the station platforms ready for youradventure to begin.

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SummerseatThis village lies on the course of the river Irwell to the north of Bury beforeRamsbottom. Here the railway immediately crosses the river after leaving the station and plunges into a tunnel. The locomotives have to work hard leaving the station due to the fearsome climb.

The village underwent a major change many years ago when the Peel family opened a great number of mills in the area. This led to the need to build more houses and so Summerseat grew.

Whilst in Summerseat you could stop off at the two pubs that are part of our Rail Ale Trail. Both serve a wide range of ales and food so it’s an ideal stop off point.

You can also start your tour of the local countryside from here as there some great walks for those sunny afternoons!

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RamsbottomRamsbottom is one of our other major intermediate station where trains often pass each other. The station building was built in 1989 after the original station buildings were demolished in 1970 by British Railways leaving nothing remaining. The newbuilding was built in the style of original East Lancashire Railway station buildings and has won several awards.

An interesting fact of the town is that the name Ramsbottom is believed to derive from the Old English ramm and botm, meaning “valley of the ram”.

Former UK Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel who was born in Bury purchased land in Ramsbottom because its natural running water source meant a power source was readily available in the area. It is this that founded Ramsbottom as a settlement. The factorysystem and the Industrial Revolution of the 18th Centuryfacilitated a process of unplanned urbanisation in the area,contributing to it becoming an important and populous mill town.

Today this thriving town with its attractive surroundings is home to an array of lovely shops, bars and restaurants. This makes

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the town an ideal stop-off point during your visit as there are many things to do. Ramsbottom is overlooked by the Peel Monument which stands tall above the town on Holcombe Hill. Traditionally hundreds of people climb the hill on Good Friday and roll eggs down it before ascending again. On a clear day you might be able to see Blackpool tower from the top.

In the centre of town is Ramsbottom’s tilted vase sculpture which is part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail. The vase represents the various industries that were located in and around the area.

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Irwell ValeIrwell Vale is a small rural hamlet situated at the juncture of the River Ogden and the River Irwell, just north of Ramsbottom. The village is sited in a conservation area in an attractive setting of fields and woodlands; the modern trappings of life are saved for the neighbouring towns.

The station was built in 1990 to serve this small community which is just a short walk away from the Irwell Church Tea Room. The village is also part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail, one of the largest public art schemes in the UK, being over 33 miles long! It follows the path of the River Irwell and was re-launched in the summer of 2011.

Not surprisingly for a typical mill village, Irwell Vale is a short distance from Helmshore Mills TextileMuseum, where you can witness original cotton milling machinery at this interactive museum.

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RawtenstallSituated in the heart of the Rossendale Valley, Rawtenstall is the end of the line for the modern day East Lancashire Railway. Until December 1966 the line carried on towards Bacup, 4 miles to the north along the Irwell Valley.

Like Ramsbottom, nothing remained of the original stationbuildings at Rawtenstall which were demolished in 1970.The new station building was built in 1992 to serve our new terminus and is built over the formation of the original railway to Bacup.

The station now houses the railways new Public House, aptly named ‘The Buffer Stops’. The pub opened during the summer of 2013 and has quickly become a thriving part of the local community.

Rossendale entered a period of major growth during the Industrial Revolution. The climate and weather, as well as Rawtenstall’s close proximity to Manchester was beneficial for the blossoming cotton and footwear industries.

The historic textile past is very much in evidence at every turn you take. The large Ilex Mill still dominates the area and is a fine example of a 19th Century cotton mill, which has now been con-

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verted into luxury apartments. Row after row of stone terraced houses, including some built on steep inclines with sharp angled roofs are also prominent in the town.

Rawtenstall is also home to Britain’s last remaining temperance bar where you can sample some non-alcoholic beauties! This lovingly restored bar features ceramic tap barrels, shelves lined with jars of medicinal herbs - its roots are still firmly set in the past.

There is a lot to discover in this lovely little town including taking a walk around the traditional and boutiqueshops in Bank Street or why not familiarise yourself with some of the area’s history. Visitors to the Weavers Cottage can dip into a bygone era with one of the finest examples of an 18th Century loom shop, complete with a Victorian kitchen, a clog shop and a tea room serving light refreshments. Rossendale Museum, once a mill-owner’s home and set within the tranquil Whitaker Park, unravels the social history of the local area.

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Probably the best real ale venue in Bury our award winning Trackside bar sits conveniently on Platform 2 of Bolton Street station and offers thevisitor a cosy, comfortable and attention-grabbing setting to enjoy the huge range of beers, ciders, wines and spirits.

The continually varying range of 10 cask ales and up to 8 real ciders is a real treat for the aficionado and especially for those with an interest in North West based micro-breweries. And the bar ceiling is a true delight for the real ale enthusiast and here you can find evidence of just a small proportion of the vast number of cask beers that the bar has served over the years.

The Trackside also provides an extensive and delicious food offering of wholesome breakfasts, tasty lunch and hearty snack meals, all freshly made and from ingredients sourced locally. The pie dishes are a particularfavourite and with an ever changing Specials Menu the Trackside is a great place to eat. The kitchen serves food from Wednesday through to Sunday, morning until mid-afternoon.

Whether you’re just here for the beer or fancy a great meal you can do either, all year round and in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere, whilst watching the trains go by.

The Trackside

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Rawtenstall is a great destination for a number of reasons but none better than the Buffer Stops bar. Previous winner of the local Campaign for Real Ale pub of the year competition thisbijoux bar is a stunning example of a micro-pub and offers an ever shifting real ale and real cider offer.

The facilities include a Family Room, warmed by a real open fire on those colder days and an extended seating area situated amongst the relics and other memorabilia which adorns the stationBooking Hall. And on those days when the weather is a little more forgiving, a sun terrace, situated on the platform, provides a great place to sit, have a beer and enjoy the atmosphere. For those in need of a snack delicious locally home-made pies and sausage rolls will be available, on most days in the Buffer Stops along with teas, coffee and bar snacks.

Buffer Stops

The transport history of the area comes to life around you in Bury TransportMuseum. Through interactive displays, vintage vehicle exhibits and original artefacts you can explore the stories of people’s lives and jobs in the early 20th Century.

Learn about the horse drawn tram that used to be part of a hairdressers, find out how “Hilda” the steam roller almost met her end and take a look around the YellowayBus, a museum in its own right. Located in the restored Castlecroft GoodsWarehouse, which is where the fledgling East Lancashire Railway moved to in 1972, the museum provides entertainment and education for both children and adults.

Bury Transport Museum plays host to a large number of events throughoutthe year. Pick up a choice bit of memorabilia at a Transport Collector Fair or dress to impress during the 1940s weekend. Take a look at the event listings on our website to find out more about events at the museum and the East Lancashire Railway.

Bury Transport Museum

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EventsThe railway stages many events throughout the year for all ages, from family to enthusiast events the railway caters for all with our varied events programme.

The biggest event of the year is our ever popular Santa Specials where thousands of children and adults travel on the railway each year to meet and receive a gift fromFather Christmas.

Thomas the Tank EngineTM also visits each year taking children of all ages up and down the tracks at Bury, making sure he keeps out of the way of the bigger mainline engines. When Thomas visits, you can be sure of an action packed weekend with many activities taking place all along the rail-way as well as in our own museum!

Enjoy the glamour of a bygone era at our 1940’s weekend with period singing and dancing, re-enactments, vehicle displays and much more. A spectacular display of military

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vehicles also sets the scene at Bury Transport Museum.

Many events for the railway enthusiast are held each year, both steam and diesel, which features an intensive passenger service using our own fleet supported by visiting locomotives. We have seen many famous steam engines visit the line, including Tornado, Sir Nigel Gresley and Flying Scotsman. It really is a chance to get up close and personal with these nostalgic giants.

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ExperiencesDining Trains: Our steam-hauled dining trains allow you to step into a world of vintage glamour and sophistication, excellent food and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our dining trains offer a service akin to Pullman style dining, something that wouldnormally be found on the Orient Express!

On arrival you will be shown to your reserved seats before enjoyinga glass of bubbly. Plush furnishings, crisp table linen and polished wooden panelling capture the essence of first class dining from days long gone and ensure that your time at the East Lancashire Railway is unique and memorable.

The food ranges from four-course silver service to our Cream Tea Specials with special themed evenings and days thrown in for good measure. Our website details the broad range of dining experiences on offer.

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Footplate Experience: Have you ever dreamed of driving a train from station to station through scenic countryside? The East Lancashire Railway’s Footplate Experience Days provide an ideal opportunity to fulfil your childhood dream! Get behind the controls of a lovingly-restored ex-British Railway’s steam or diesel locomotive, pulling a train of vintage carriages or wagons, and enjoy an unforgettable experience.

Participants can spend a full day or a half-day with our locomotives and options can include a guided tour and an afternoon lunch.

There are many different courses available. Whether you’re one for action or want to watch the action happen then there are a variety of choices on offer.

Rail Ale Trails: A ride on the East Lancashire Railway offers not only stunning countryside but tucked-away villages, hidden gems (and pubs) and plenty of fascinating history.

The Rail Ale Trail takes you on a voyage to discover some of the Irwell Valley’s most beautiful locations and exceptional pubs, all linked together by the railway. Whether you are an ale-lover, cider aficionado or cream soda supporter, you will find something to suit your taste buds at every station along the route.

The railway also offers various guided tours so you can take in some the area’s most loved places. All of the tours focus on the history and heritage of the region, its brewing traditions and the people who shaped them over the centuries.

VolunteeringWithout volunteers the railway would not be able to operate like it does today. With over 500 working members the railway continues to provide heritage train journeys for our thousands of visitors to enjoy.

The railway needs lots of resources to make sure it canoperate the services you see today. For example the track is managed by the Permanent Way Department, who have the task of looking after the 12 miles of railway line and the associated infrastructure.

The steam and diesel locomotives all take a lot of tender lovingcare in order to keep them in tip-top shape for everyoneto enjoy.

Every engine has gone through an extensive overhaulprogramme in order to make sure they are able to whiskpassengers through the scenic Irwell Valley on a regular basis.

Our Carriage and Wagon Department look after the coaches you ride in today with all of them going through the workshops to be maintained, painted and re-upholstered. The luxurious

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dining train is the pride of the railway, along with the ex-Great Western Railway Observation Saloon, which serve to deliver some of our premium products.

Railways pull together every talent known to man and with such a wide range of skills required to run the railway, there are no boundaries.

From engineering in the workshops through to being an elf on one of our Santa trains; there is a role to suit anyone, so please come and join us to get involved.

Teamwork, pride and enthusiasm are the most vital attributes you can bring to any job here at the East Lancashire Railway.

To join our friendly community you must be a member of the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society, from there you will be given the means to contact the head of any departmentdirectly if you wish to be placed in a specific role. Alternatively you can attend our member’s tours where you can gain an insightinto the activities each job requires before making your choice.

You are free to change your mind at any time!

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Television & Filming

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Being so close to Manchester has its plus points and has helped the railway to achieve stardom on both the big and small screen through a number of television and film productions.

In 1991 the railway was featured in the film Let Him Have It and in the finale of ITV’s comedy series The Grimleys, set in 1978, and then in 2007 on the finale of BBC One’s award-winning drama series, Life on Mars set in 1973 amongst others.

In 2010, the railway was featured in an episode of Coronation Street when Hayley and Roy Cropper travelled to their wedding aboard an ELR train, hauled by LMS “Black 5” No. 44871. Also in 2010 the BBC filmed scenes for the acclaimed Eric and Ernie,which was aired on New Year’s Day 2011, about the early career of the British comedy act Morecambe and Wise. Bury Bolton Street station was featured, with 44871 also starring in this drama.

The most recent claim to fame was when Hollyoaks stars visited East Lancashire Railway during September 2014 to film scenes for a dramatic new storyline for the Channel 4 programme.

The cast and crew were on site for two weeks to film one of the biggest soaps stunts to be aired in the UK to date.

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PhotographyThe East Lancashire Railway is a popular destination for photographers, whether amateur or professional, many descend on the railway for specially arranged photo shoots, galas or even a photography course.

We are indebted to our loyal photographers who grace the railway throughout the year. Without their help the railway would not be able to produce this guide.

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www.eastlancsrailway.org.ukWith thanks to Richard Barnett, Andy Coward, John Crawshaw, Peter Douglas,

Matt Evans, Pat Kilner, Rory Lushman and Nigel Valentine.

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