Present-Day East Lancashire Railway
The ELR operates a variety of heritage steam and diesel services, providing visitors with a glimpse into the region’s industrial past. It features beautifully restored stations at Heywood, Bury Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Irwell Vale, and Rawtenstall. The railway hosts popular events, including steam galas, 1940s weekends, themed train rides, and the family-favourite Santa Specials. Bury Bolton Street Station also houses a museum showcasing historic locomotives and rolling stock.
Preservation and Reopening
In 1984, the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society was formed to restore the line as a heritage railway. The first section of the preserved railway reopened between Bury Bolton Street and Ramsbottom in 1987, with subsequent extensions to Rawtenstall in 1991 and Heywood in 2003.
History of the East Lancashire Railway
The railway’s origins date back to the mid-19th century when the East Lancashire Railway Company was formed in 1844 to build a network connecting industrial towns in the region. The section between Bury and Rawtenstall opened in 1846, becoming an important route for passengers and freight, particularly coal and textiles. The line later became part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and subsequently the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) after the 1923 railway grouping. With the decline of the UK’s textile industry and increasing competition from road transport, passenger numbers fell after World War II. British Rail closed the line to passenger services in 1972, though some sections remained open for freight until the 1980s.