Heritage railway to expand in Network Rail link-up

7 hours ago

Angela FergusonNorth West

News image — The heritage railway charity is known for its annual Santa Special service

BBC A steam train arrives at a platform, decorated with coloured lights, as steam comes out of the funnel. — The heritage railway charity is known for its annual Santa Special service

Volunteers at a heritage railway have teamed up with Network Rail to expand their offering.

More than 800 volunteers help to run the East Lancashire Railway (ELR), which was originally built in the railway boom of the 1840s.

A Network Rail spokesperson said its partnership with ELR would enable the charity to offer more heritage rail experiences, community events and learning opportunities.

They said this would include hosting the Railway 200 Inspiration train - a travelling exhibition charting the past, present and future of railways.

'New life'

The exhibition runs at Bury Bolton Street station until Saturday as part of a national tour.

The agreement will enable railway materials no longer needed on the national rail network - including rails, sleepers and equipment - to be reused safely on the country's heritage lines, helping to keep historic trains running while reducing waste and costs.

Phil James, Network Rail's north-west route director, said working with heritage railways like the ELR "allows us to give new life to materials that would otherwise be recycled, while also supporting organisations that do such important work in preserving railway history".

ELR chairman Mike Kelly said the partnership would "provide vital access to heritage fixtures and fittings, some of which are unavailable".

Network Rail A man wearing a grey coat and dark grey flat cap is smiling while standing in front of a pistachio green train. It has writing on it including 'listening to music and zoning out' and 'railway museum'. — ELR chairman Mike Kelly welcomed the partnership, which has included the arrival of a train with an exhibition charting the past, present and future of the UK's railways

The ELR was closed to passengers by British Rail in 1972.

It was rebuilt later that decade and into the 1980s, reopening between Bury and Ramsbottom in 1987 before then being extended to Rawtenstall and Heywood.

The 12.5 mile (20km) heritage route runs through the scenic Irwell Valley, passing industrial relics, factories, fields and cottages.

It is a popular tourist attraction, particularly at Christmas when it operates Santa Specials, which are only made possible due to a team of more than 800 volunteers.

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