East Lancashire Railway

About the museum

The East Lancashire Railway runs along the Irwell Valley between Heywood and Rawtenstall. The first section of the line opened at Heywood in 1841 as part of the Manchester and Leeds Railway, and the route through the Irwell Valley opened in 1846, bringing a lifeline to the growing mill towns. The East Lancashire name disappeared in 1859 when the company merged with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, and the line later became part of British Railways.

Like many branch lines it declined in the 1950s and 1960s. After the Beeching report of 1963 Bury lost its direct passenger services to Manchester, and regular passenger trains on the Bury to Rawtenstall line ended on 5 June 1972. Preservationists had already formed the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society in 1970, and in 1972 an old goods shed in Bury became the Bury Transport Museum, which opened on 26 August to raise funds to reopen the line. In the 1980s discussions between local and national authorities led to the formation of the ELR Trust, and the remaining track and buildings came under its care.

Today the railway is a registered charity that restores and runs a 12-mile heritage line with seven stations: Heywood, Bury Bolton Street, Burrs Country Park, Summerseat, Ramsbottom, Irwell Vale and Rawtenstall. Trains are steam-hauled or diesel-operated, and the railway offers dining trains, themed family events, galas for enthusiasts and a gift shop. The Bury Transport Museum lies across the road from Bury Bolton Street station.

Highlights

• Steam and diesel services along 12 miles of the Irwell Valley
• Seven stations from Heywood to Rawtenstall
• Bury Transport Museum opposite Bury Bolton Street station
• Dining trains and themed family events
• Locomotive galas for enthusiasts

Operated by

East Lancashire Railway Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices are for the Full Line Return between Heywood and Rawtenstall; advance online prices are lower than prices on the day. Online orders carry a 2.50 booking fee per order. Members of the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society pay 10.50 for a Full Line Return and 14.00 for a Day Rover. Resident permit holders pay 10 (adult) or 5 (child or young person) for a Day Rover. Rail staff travel passes give 75 per cent off on-the-day tickets, and the Caravan and Motorhome Club offers buy-one-get-one-free on-the-day Day Rover tickets to card holders. Advance fares are not available on Day Out With Thomas dates, and special events may be priced separately. Ticket prices for under-3s are not listed.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most standard trains have space for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair spaces, and an adapted compartment lets wheelchair users stay seated; the ramps take up to 250 kg, suit ordinary wheelchairs and small battery chairs but not larger scooters or buggies, and wheelchair users are advised to phone ahead (special events need advance notice). The dining train cannot carry wheelchairs. Access varies by station: Bury Bolton Street has level access from the car park to platform 2 while platforms 3 and 4 need stairs or a staff-escorted crossing, and Ramsbottom has level access to platform 2 but a staff-escorted crossing and steep ramp to platform 1. Accessible toilets are at Bury Bolton Street, Heywood, Rawtenstall and the Bury Transport Museum; most trains have toilets that are too small for wheelchairs. Assistance dogs are welcome in all carriages. Disabled parking is at Bury Bolton Street, Heywood, Irwell Vale and the museum, with very limited parking at Summerseat.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Family events such as Day Out With Thomas, Halloween trains and Santa Specials are held on selected dates, and family fares are available. Baby changing is available at Bury Bolton Street, Rawtenstall and the Bury Transport Museum.

Getting there & parking

By road, leave the M66 at junction 2 for Bury.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Buffet on platforms 3 and 4 at Bury Bolton Street, the Rawtenstall Cafe in a converted carriage, The Trackside bar and Buffer Stops Bar offer food and drink, and dining trains run on selected dates. The gift shop is at Bury Bolton Street station. Mobile signal is generally good but may drop in three tunnels.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Private hire, group travel and corporate events are offered.

Plan your visit