East Lancashire Railway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids East Lancashire Railway
The famous 60103 Flying Scotsman steams towards Rawtenstall.
Locale	North west England
Terminus	Rawtenstall and Heywood
Connections	Network Rail (east of Heywood, via Castleton) Manchester Metrolink (south of Bury)
Commercial operations
Name	East Lancashire Railway
Built by	East Lancashire Railway (1844–1859)
Original gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Operated by	East Lancashire Light Railway Company (ELLR Co.)
Stations	7
Length	12 miles 45 chains (20.2 km)
Preserved gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Commercial history
Opened	1846
Closed	17 March 1980
Preservation history
31 March 1986	Granted Light Railway Order (for public service)
25 July 1987	Re-opens and public service begins
27 April 1991	Extension to Rawtenstall
6 September 2003	Extension to Heywood
13 October 2016	New halt opened at Burrs Country Park
Headquarters	Bury Bolton Street
Route map (Click to expand)

The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is a special type of railway called a heritage railway. This means it preserves and runs historic trains for everyone to enjoy. The line is about 12.5 miles (20 km) long and travels through the beautiful countryside of North West England, between the towns of Heywood and Rawtenstall.

Along the way, the trains stop at several restored stations, including Bury Bolton Street, Burrs Country Park, Summerseat, Ramsbottom, and Irwell Vale. It's a journey back in time on wheels!

The railway connects with the main national train network near Heywood, and there are exciting plans to extend the line to make it even easier for people to visit.

The Story of the Railway

The original train service between Bury and Rawtenstall was stopped by British Rail in 1972. For a while, the tracks were only used for hauling coal, but even that ended in 1980. The line was officially closed, and it seemed like the end of an era.

However, a group of dedicated volunteers, called the East Lancashire Railway Trust, decided to save it. They worked hard to bring the railway back to life, and on 25 July 1987, the first section reopened between Bury and Ramsbottom.

Over the years, the railway grew. In 1991, the line was extended north to Rawtenstall. Then, in 2003, it was extended east from Bury to Heywood. This new section included a very steep bridge over the Manchester Metrolink tram line, which drivers nicknamed "The Ski Jump" because of its sharp slopes!

More recently, in 2016, a new station was opened at Burrs Country Park. The world-famous steam engine, the Flying Scotsman, pulled the very first train to stop there.

Fun Events and Volunteers

The railway is open every weekend and hosts many fun events all year round. There are special days for steam and diesel train fans, and even "Day Out with Thomas" events where you can meet Thomas the Tank Engine.

The entire railway is run by volunteers from the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society. They do everything from driving the trains to fixing the engines and carriages. The ELR is famous for its large collection of historic diesel locomotives, as well as over 140 carriages and wagons.

A freight train crosses over the famous "Ski Jump" bridge.

Stations on the East Lancashire Railway

Here are the main stations you can visit on the railway, plus some that are now closed.

Future Plans for the Railway

Castleton station, where the ELR hopes to connect with the national railway network.

The ELR has big plans for the future. The main goal is to extend the line from Heywood to Castleton. This would create a new station where passengers could easily switch between the heritage railway and modern Network Rail trains.

This project has support from local councils and the government. In 2020, the plan to reopen the route between Rochdale and Bury was approved to move forward as part of the government's 'Restoring Your Railway' project. This would help more people visit the railway and better connect the local communities.

Meet the Engines

The ELR is home to a fantastic collection of steam and diesel engines. Some are owned by the railway, while others are owned by private collectors who keep them there.

Steam Locomotives

These engines are powered by burning coal to create steam. They are the stars of the show for many visitors!

Engines You Can See in Action

Number & Name	Type	Photograph	Livery	Fun Fact
34092 City of Wells	SR West Country Class 4-6-2		BR Lined Green	Built in 1949, this powerful engine is a regular sight on the line.
32 Gothenburg	Manchester Ship Canal 0-6-0T		North Western Railway Blue	Built in 1903, this engine is often dressed up as Thomas the Tank Engine for special events.
80097	BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T		BR Lined Black	This engine was saved from a scrapyard and carefully restored. It returned to service in 2019.
52322	L&YR Class 27 0-6-0		BR Unlined Black	An old engine built way back in 1895 at Horwich Works. It was recently overhauled.

Engines Being Repaired or Stored

The railway has many other steam engines that are being stored or restored. This includes engines like the huge 35009 Shaw Savill and the powerful GWR 2884 Class 2-8-0 No. 3855, which are being brought back from scrapyard condition. This important work ensures these historic machines can run again one day.

Diesel Locomotives

The ELR has one of the biggest collections of preserved diesel engines in the UK. These engines, from the 1950s and 60s, represent a different era of railway history.

Engines You Can See in Action

Number & Name	Type	Photograph	Livery	Fun Fact
D9531 'Ernest'	BR Class 14		BR Two-tone Green	A small but strong shunting engine, looked after by the Bury Hydraulic Group.
D5054 (24054) 'Phil Southern'	BR Class 24		BR Green	A classic diesel from 1959 that used to work on main lines across Britain.
345 (40145)	BR Class 40		BR Green	A large, impressive engine known as a "Whistler" by fans because of its engine sound.
D832 'Onslaught'	BR Class 42		BR Blue	This type of engine used a special hydraulic system instead of an electric one to turn its wheels.

Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs)

These are trains where the engine is built into one of the carriages.

• Class 104 unit: A classic 1950s design, painted in BR Blue.
• Class 105 unit: Another 1950s train, painted in BR Green.
• Class 144 unit: A more modern "Pacer" train from the 1980s.

Electric Trains

The ELR even has a rare electric train from the 1950s.

• Class 504 unit: This train used to run on local lines around Manchester. It is being restored at the railway.

Images for kids

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  34081 92 Squadron is a powerful steam engine that moved to the ELR in 2024.

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  A "Jinty" tank engine, No. 47298. These were common shunting engines.

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  No. 2890 "Douglas" is a tough engine originally built for industrial use during the war.

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  The famous streamlined engine 6009 Union of South Africa was based at the railway until its retirement.

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  No. 1370 "May" is a small but charming tank engine built in 1915.

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  No. 44871 is a "Black Five" engine, one of the most successful steam engine designs in the UK.

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  No. 45212 is another "Black Five" that often works on the mainline.

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  45407 The Lancashire Fusilier is a famous engine named after a local army regiment.

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  Engine 3855 being restored.

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  Engine 7229 waiting to be restored.

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  13065 is a "Crab" engine, known for its angled cylinders.

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  35009 Shaw Savill at the scrapyard before being rescued for preservation.

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  Engine 46428 is a small mixed-traffic locomotive being restored.

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  Another "Jinty" engine, No. 47324, undergoing an overhaul.

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  This small engine is on display in the Bury Transport Museum.

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  Diesel shunter 4002 'Arundel Castle'.

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  A very small shunting engine, D2956.

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  Class 03 shunter D2062.

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  Class 08 shunter 08164 'Prudence'.

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  Class 08 shunter 13594 at work.

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  Class 09 shunter 09024.

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  Class 33 locomotive 33109 'Captain Bill Smith RNR'.

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  Class 35 "Hymek" D7076.

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  Class 37 locomotive 37109.

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  Class 40 locomotive 40106 'Atlantic Conveyor'.

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  Class 45 locomotive 45108.

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  Class 50 locomotive 50015 'Valiant'.

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  Class 07 shunter 07013 awaiting overhaul.

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  Class 08 shunter 08944 in storage.

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  Class 14 shunter D9502 'Kerys' under restoration.

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  The rare Class 15 locomotive D8233 being restored.

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  The unique Class 28 Co-Bo locomotive D5705.

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  Class 33 locomotive 6536 (33117) before its overhaul.

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  Class 40 locomotive 40135 awaiting repairs.

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  Class 45 locomotive 45135 undergoing a major overhaul.

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  Class 52 "Western" D1041 'Western Prince'.

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  Class 56 locomotive 56006.