The East Lancs Railway is a heritage railway line which has brought back an historic transportation system from decline. The East Lancashire Light Railway Company and East Lancashire Railway Trust have worked to maintain the existing line, re-open key portions, and operate tourism services. Volunteers from the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society are vital in manning the line throughout operational hours. These volunteers are also the public face of the various organisations and they represent themselves extremely well!
Take a look at their website for more information.
Steaming from Rawtenstall to Bury on the East Lancs Railway
We took a trip from Rawtenstall to Bury on one of the steam locomotives this Sunday. The experience was fantastic, with the authenticity of the carriages and, of course, the steam engine itself.
The station at Rawtenstall is at the end of the line. We got there as the locomotive was hooking up at the front of the train. It seemed to be going backwards, but of course it doesn’t matter which way the engine actually travels. There is no place for the engine to turn around, so the simplest thing to do at each end is to unhook, switch to the other line, move to the other end of the train, and hook back up again.
There was no fuss getting through the ticket office or on to the train. We bought our tickets online in advance and saved around 30% on the very reasonable price. Straight on to the train with two adults, a child, and a toddler, and we found a private cabin at the front in which we could spread out and enjoy the ride.
The gentleman who looked after us was very nice and genuinely interested in our wellbeing on the journey. This was the case for all the volunteers that we met. There was also a drinks trolley which rolled past and supplied drinks and snacks.
The ticket we had allowed us one full round trip of the railway line in that day. There are also full day roamer passes which mean you can travel as much as you want.
Of course the steam engine isn’t as fast as the more modern diesel and electric engines that you might be used to today, but you wouldn’t want to reduce the time on this journey by travelling as fast as possible. From hearing the whistle and seeing the green flags waving you are taken back in time to a day when steam travel was the only way to go. The steam passing by the windows and the clattering of the tracks is something that you don’t quite get on a modern train, while the sounds of the engine are quite different.
The train passes through Irwell Vale, Ramsbottom, Summerseat, Burrs Country Park, and Bury Bolton St, before terminating at Heywood. We got off at Bury Bolton St where we could take a look around the Bury Transport Museum.
The train continued on to Heywood, so we waved it off from the platform. Watch out for the steam from the whistle, the flames from the single funnel, and how the power is transferred from the steam piston to the wheels.
Bury Transport Museum
Just across the road from the station at Bury, Bolton St., is the Bury Transport Museum. Entry is free to this lovely little ode to steam and diesel engines. Donations are welcomed though, to keep the museum open. Our family loved the old engines, tractors and road vehicles, as well as the videos and activities spread around the hall.
Return Journey to Rawtenstall on the East Lancs Railway
After enjoying our time at the museum we headed back to the station to catch the same steam train back to Rawtenstall. While we waited we admired the lovely little L&Y Trust 752 steam locomotive which was on the opposite track. This newly refurbished engine started its life in 1881 and was used for various shunting and short freight journeys. In the past few years it has been doing a small number of trips on the East Lancs Railway and so is back working again after 140 years. Take note that the number has altered over the years, from 752 to 11456, and in 1968 (briefly) to 51456 which it runs under again today.
Summary
We had a lovely day out on the East Lancs Railway today. Steam engines are an important part of the history of East Lancashire, and they have a wonderful quaintness about them that we don’t get in today’s engines. Bury Transport Museum is a hidden gem in Bury as well.
If you’d like to see another of our train-related trips, take a look at our holiday in the Carriage at Ullock.