East Lancashire Railway

East Lancashire Railway Where steam power meets breathtaking scenery! Donate now to support us: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/eastlancsrailway Every Stop is a Start!
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Located in the heart of Bury Town Centre, the East Lancashire Railway has been your gateway to great days out since 1846. The East Lancashire Railway is a registered charity dedicated to restoring, preserving, and celebrating the long and rich history of the 12-mile heritage railway line running from Heywood to Rawtenstall. From days out cycling, walking or wildlife spotting to afternoons at tea r

ooms nestled away in picturesque towns and villages. Get cultural at a museum or gallery and put your feet up in an olde worlde pub. The East Lancashire Railway has seven stops, all of which offer plenty of things to see and do. Whether it's Heywood's stunning Queen's Park, Bury's cultural and shopping quarter, Summerseat's walking trails, Ramsbottom's foodie scene, the pretty village of Irwell Vale, or historic Rawtenstall with its museums and the UK's last remaining temperance bar. Website: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk
Twitter:
Youtube: www.youtube.com/EastLancashireRail

Donate at: https://bit.ly/supporttheELR

We won’t keep you waiting as long this time, who’s ready for another guest announcement for our 2026 Autumn Steam Gala! ...
10/08/2026

We won’t keep you waiting as long this time, who’s ready for another guest announcement for our 2026 Autumn Steam Gala! 💨🍂

A few teasers to get everyone guessing…

- An ELR debut, the very first time this particular loco is visiting our railway…
- Built the same year that L&Y 1300 entered traffic, and the same year L&Y 752 was rebuilt as a saddle tank locomotive…
- The furthest North that this loco has ever been!..

We can’t wait for this one! Stay tuned at 6pm this evening 👀

Steam Services Temporarily SuspendedDue to the current prolonged dry conditions and increased risk of lineside fires, th...
10/08/2026

Steam Services Temporarily Suspended

Due to the current prolonged dry conditions and increased risk of lineside fires, the East Lancashire Railway has taken the decision, in conjunction with the Fire and Rescue Service, to temporarily suspend steam locomotive operations for the foreseeable future.

During this period, our scheduled services will continue to operate using heritage diesel locomotives, so visitors can still enjoy a journey along the East Lancashire Railway as planned.

This decision has been taken as a precaution to protect our passengers, staff, volunteers, neighbouring communities and the surrounding countryside. Existing tickets remain valid, and no action is required from customers. The only change will be the type of locomotive operating your service.

We appreciate that some visitors may specifically be looking forward to travelling behind a steam locomotive, and we are sorry for any disappointment this may cause. Safety must remain our priority. Steam services will resume as soon as conditions have improved sufficiently for us to operate them safely.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Find timetables here: https://bit.ly/4t49jQL

Thank you to Flickr user Dave Green for this week's of the HST 43025 across The Irwell. The following note accompanies...
09/08/2026

Thank you to Flickr user Dave Green for this week's of the HST 43025 across The Irwell.

The following note accompanies:

"The 125 Group provided HSTs 43089 and 43025 running on the East Lancs Railway this weekend. This is 43025 'Exeter' crossing the River Irwell at Brooksbottom Viaduct Summerseat."

Sunday 9th August service update 📣📣Due to the hot weather and fire risk along the railway, today’s booked steam passenge...
09/08/2026

Sunday 9th August service update 📣📣

Due to the hot weather and fire risk along the railway, today’s booked steam passenger services will be hauled by heritage diesel locomotive D5054, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. However, today is now an ideal chance to enjoy some vintage Type 1 and 2 Diesel action with Class 20 069 also operating on the diesel diagram, an ideal way to come and enjoy the Irwell Valley and explore the line.

Our lunchtime dining service will still be hauled by steam with 34092 ‘City of Wells’.

To view timetables and more information visit our website: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/plan-your-day-out/

📸📸 Liam Barnes & Alfie Mottershead

Swap screens for stories this summer.📚Bring your favourite teddy along for a magical day of fairy tales 🚂💛Meet a host of...
08/08/2026

Swap screens for stories this summer.📚

Bring your favourite teddy along for a magical day of fairy tales 🚂💛

Meet a host of beloved storybook characters, including Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood, Little Bo Peep, Old King Cole and, of course, Baby Bear! There'll be plenty of interactive fun to keep little ones smiling from start to finish. 🌟📖

📅 Friday 21st August
🎟️ Secure your place today: https://bit.ly/4ehV8TT

🍺🚂 Next stop... the pub! Climb aboard the Rail Ale Trail , hop off to visit a selection of traditional pubs, tuck into a...
08/08/2026

🍺🚂 Next stop... the pub!

Climb aboard the Rail Ale Trail , hop off to visit a selection of traditional pubs, tuck into a hearty lunch, and raise a glass to Lancashire's rich brewing history. Cheers! 🍻

🎟️ Your ticket includes:
🍺 Visits to local pubs
🚂 Unlimited heritage train travel
🥘 A delicious lunch
🍻 A complimentary local ale

📅 Upcoming dates:
🍺 29 August
🍺 5 September
🍺 26 September

🎟️ Book now: https://bit.ly/3QwQdEW

Tomorrow (Saturday 8th August) is our first L&Y running day, where we celebrate the railway’s Lancashire & Yorkshire her...
07/08/2026

Tomorrow (Saturday 8th August) is our first L&Y running day, where we celebrate the railway’s Lancashire & Yorkshire heritage by operating our three veteran locomotives for the day!

🚂🚂 Experience double headed steam action throughout the day with 52322 and 11456 pairing up throughout the day on the service train!

🛤️ Your chance to drive a fan-favourite L&Y ‘Pug’ 11243! These are turn up and book on the day experiences, available in between service trains from 10am til 4pm, £20 per person from Platform 2 at Bury Bolton Street.

Best of all, it’s regular fares throughout the day on our service train with double headed Victorian locomotives, as well as our heritage diesel service hauled by Class 20 069!

View the timetable and more information on our website, tickets are available on the day from any of our manned booking offices: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/plan-your-day-out/

🎄✏️ Calling all little artists... we want to see your Christmas masterpieces! 🎅🎨There's still plenty of time to enter ou...
07/08/2026

🎄✏️ Calling all little artists... we want to see your Christmas masterpieces! 🎅🎨

There's still plenty of time to enter our Christmas Card Competition, but don't leave it too late! ❤️

🏆 The winner will receive:
✨ 4 Santa Special Tickets
🎨 Their artwork professionally printed and proudly displayed as our official Christmas card!

📧 How to enter:
Email your design to [email protected] with the subject "Christmas Card Competition 2026", or hand it in at Bury, Bolton Street Station.

⏰ Entries close at 9:00am on 25 September 2026.

🔗 Full details and T&Cs: https://bit.ly/4ywucY4

We can't wait to see your festive creations! 🎄✨

We can't wait to welcome back everyone's favourite cheeky little piggy, 22 August. 🐖🐽😃Come and meet Peppa at intervals t...
07/08/2026

We can't wait to welcome back everyone's favourite cheeky little piggy, 22 August. 🐖🐽😃
Come and meet Peppa at intervals throughout the day in the fantastic Bury Transport Museum.
Find out more and book now: https://bit.ly/38C9Gh4

06/08/2026

As we announced on Monday night, GWR Pannier Tank No. 7714 is making its very first visit to the ELR! 🤩

7714 will be joining our already announced visiting locomotive, S15 30506, alongside our home fleet lineup, with a further guest yet to be announced. We really can’t wait to see this Kerr Stuart-built workhorse heading through the Irwell Valley!

A massive thank you to the wonderful Severn Valley Railway and the SVR Pannier Tank Fund for making this possible, we always enjoy taking our engines to the SVR so it will be brilliant to host them at the ELR this time round.

Check out some video of the locomotive in action on some of its previous visits away from the SVR to the The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Llangollen Railway.

🎟️🎟️ More details will be added to the website along with tickets going on sale soon, keep your eye on our page for further updates: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/autumn-steam-gala/

Address

Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street
Bury
BL90EY

Opening Hours

Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+443333202830

Website

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