North West - Lancashire

The East Lancashire Railway has a rich history dating back to 1846 when it was first opened to link the busy town of Bury to Rawtenstall in Lancashire. The Railway continued to ferry both passengers and freight until the early 1980s, when the line was formally closed, however thanks to the efforts of the East Lancashire Preservation Society, the line was reopened and has now been restored to the glories of days gone by!

Today, the East Lancashire Railway spans a 12-mile route with six different stops waiting to be explored. From the factory town of Heywood you can observe the original railway buildings that have been lovingly preserved before departing to bustling Bury with its famous market, home of Black Pudding. If culture is your thing then Bury has a host of museums worth visiting if time allows, including an Art Museum, Fusilier Museum and our own Bury Transport Museum. Continue your rail journey through the pretty village of Summerseat to Ramsbottom, a thriving market town with an array of independent shops and boutiques that should satisfy even the most dedicated shopper’s retail needs. Call in to the Chocolate Café to replenish with one of their delicious milkshakes before chugging through the most scenic part of our line, Irwell Vale, en route to our terminus at Rawtenstall where you can still view magnificent examples of past times including the cobbled main street, with its Victorian shop fronts housing small and individual outlets.

There are plenty of things to see and do around the line and our stations are well equipped for group visits with cafés, pubs, gift shops and our own Transport Museum.  Admission into Bury Transport Museum is included in our Full Line Return ticket and enables visitors to get up close to restored vehicles and learn about the region’s rich transport heritage.

The East Lancashire Railway also has some fantastic events scheduled throughout the year from a guided Rail Ale Tour of some of the excellent local drinking grounds to the nostalgia of our award winning 1940’s weekend; visit our website to discover upcoming events. Group rates available on selected events.

Group dining options can also be included as part of your visit, from light bites in The Buffet to a taste of Lancashire at The Trackside. Indulge in a little luxury with one of our dining experiences where your group can enjoy a cream tea and three course Lancastrian Lunch in a vintage Pullman style carriage.

Itineraries can be tailored to suit your group’s requirements and there are a range of attractive benefits available throughout the year including a fantastic 20% discount on group bookings of 20 + for January – March 2014.
 

Visit eastlancsrailway.org.uk for more information and to start to plan your next visit.