- This article is about the present East Lancashire Railway, for the previous incarnation see East Lancashire Railway 1844–1859
Class 40 40145 "East Lancashire Railway" standing at Rawtenstall
Class 35 'Hymek' no D7076 departs Bury Bolton Street station with a service for Heywood.
The East Lancashire Railway is a heritage railway in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, England.
Overview
The line opened in 1987 operating a service from Bury to Ramsbottom via Summerseat. In 1991 the service was extended via Irwell Vale to Rawtenstall, and in September 2003 an eastbound extension from Bury to Heywood was opened. To reach Heywood, the line climbs a gradient of 1 in 36, and falling at a gradient of 1 in 41, to cross over the Manchester Metrolink line into Bury. The heritage line is now just over 12 miles (19 km) long, and has a mainline connection with the national railway network at Castleton, beyond Heywood. There are plans to extend the running line further to Castleton in the future.[1] A rail connection with the Metrolink line also exists, just south of Bury.
The railway is open every weekend of the year and holds a number of themed events and galas throughout the year which include steam, diesel and Thomas the Tank Engine events, amongst others, and also offers driver experience courses. It is run by volunteer members from the East Lancashire Preservation Society (ELRPS).
In 2001, the railway was featured in the finale of ITV's comedy series The Grimleys, named The Grimley Curse, and then the finale of BBC One's award-winning drama series Life on Mars in 2007.
Railway Stations
Locomotives
Steam
- Operational Steam Locomotives
- Resident Steam Locomotives Currently Elsewhere
- Steam Locomotives Under Overhaul
- LMS 4-6-0 Class 5MT "Black Five" no. 44871. (Undergoing extensive restoration. New 'throat' plate has arrived; 'stay' renewal progressing well.)
- LMS 4-6-0 Class 5MT "Black Five" no. 45337. (Undergoing a ten yearly overhaul with boiler away at the Llangollen Railway for repair. Completion expected in first half of 2009.)
- LMS 2-6-0 Class 5MT "Crab" no. 42765. (Boiler at LNWR Crewe for overhaul. Tender tank lifted off frames, 13/11/07.
- Steam Locomotives Under Restoration
- BR 2-6-4T Class 4MT no. 80097. (Progress slow but steady. Completion likely to be 2010.)
- Stored Steam Locomotives Awaiting Overhaul or Restoration
Diesel
- Operational Diesel Locomotives and DMU
-
- BR Class 101 unit 51192+54352 (101659 & 101693)
- BR Class 207 unit 1305 (207202 - formed of 60130+70549+60904)
- Diesel Locomotives Currently running elsewhere
- Diesel Locomotives and DMUs Undergoing Light Work, Overhaul or Restoration
- F. C. Hibberd 'Planet' 4WDM no. 3438 (Housed in the Bury Transport Museum. Undergoing restoration to working order. Power unit started May 2007 - The loco is now having atention to a sticking exhaust valve on number 3 cylinder. Will take up the role as Wagon Works shunter.)
- BR 0-4-0 Class 01 no. D2956 (Undergoing repaint.)
- BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. 08944 (Stopped after a big end failure over the August "Thomas" weekend.)
- BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. D3867 (Stored pending remedial work on a traction motor and cooler group.)
- BR 0-6-0 Class 14 no. D9531 (Near completion. Side frames, bodyside doors and battery boxes now fitted. Two reconditioned exhausters fitted November 2007. Power unit to be fitted in late 2008. Following successful testing, Summer 2009 return hoped.)
-
- BR Bo-Bo Class 15 no. D8233 (Restoration in progress. Currently located outside Baron Street Works. Cooler group room almost complete. Fan and fan drive gearbox returned after overhaul. Equipment room undergoing renovation. Generator set split from old power unit.)
- BR Co-Bo Class 28 no. D5705 (Next in line for restoration. Cabs currently being worked on. With D8233 outside Baron Street Loco Works.)
- BR Bo-Bo Class 33 no. 6536 (Under overhaul in Buckley Wells carriage shed. No. 1 end cab largely renewed with new metal work. Overhauled turbo returned, awaits refitting.)
- BR B-B Class 35 no. D7076 (Undergoing repairs.)
- BR 1Co-Co1 Class 45 no. 45135 "3rd Carabinier" (Undergoing major work. Replacement of main engine bearings ongoing. Top-end of five cylinders have been stripped. Five cylinder heads and corresponding pistons have been removed. Four liners removed on 29/09/07.)
- BR C-C Class 52 no. 1041 "Western Prince" (B-End transmission in the workshop having bearings replaced. Replacement of wasted metal on bodyside grills also underway.)
-
- BR Class 105 unit 51485+56121 (Under restoration in Buckley Wells carriage sheds.)
- BR Class 108 unit 50627/977853 (Under restoration at Castlecroft shed.)
- BR Class 122 unit 55001 (Under restoration at Castlecroft shed.)
- Stored Diesel Locomotives
- MSC Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 no. 4002 (Drained and stored for the winter period. Can be used but requires work on power unit.)
- BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31556 (Stored at Baron Street. Purchased by HNRC, awaiting disposal.)
- NIR Class 80 No. 8099 (Stored on section of 5'3" track at Castlecroft - bought as spares for 207202).
Electric
External links
