East Lancashire Railway

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This article is about the heritage East Lancashire Railway. For the 19th-century company see East Lancashire Railway 1844–1859
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East Lancashire Railway
The Duke of Gloucester at Townsend Fold.jpg
71000 'Duke of Gloucester' at Townsend Fold heads south towards Ramsbottom.
Locale Lancashire/Greater Manchester, England
Terminus Rawtenstall and Heywood
Connections Network Rail (west of Heywood)
Manchester Metrolink (south of Bury)
Commercial operations
Name East Lancashire Railway
Built by East Lancashire Railway 1844–1859
Original gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Standard
Preserved operations
Operated by East Lancashire Railway Company
Stations 6
Length 12 miles (19 km)
Preserved gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Standard
Commercial history
Opened 1846
Closed 17 March 1980
Preservation history
25 July 1987 Service opened
1991 Extended to Rawtenstall
2003 Extended to Heywood
Headquarters Bury Bolton Street

The East Lancashire Railway is a heritage railway in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, England.

Contents

[edit] Overview

After formal closure by British Rail in 1982, the line was reopened on 25 July 1987. The initial service operated between Bury and Ramsbottom, via Summerseat. In 1991 the service was extended northwards from Ramsbottom to reach Rawtenstall, via Irwell Vale.[1] However, two original stations on the line, closed to passengers by BR in 1972, have not reopened. They are Ewood Bridge & Edenfield and Stubbins. Rawtenstall is the practical northern limit of the line as the formation on towards Bacup has been lost immediately north of the station. In September 2003 an eastbound extension from Bury to Heywood was opened. To reach Heywood the extension had to cross over the Manchester Metrolink line to Bury, at the site of the former Knowsley Street station. This necessitated the construction of a new intersection bridge, with steeply graded approaches of 1 in 36 and 1 in 41 nicknamed 'The Ski Jump'. The remainder of the extension includes a long section at 1 in 85, rising towards Heywood, as the line climbs out of the Irwell valley.

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.[2] Options for providing an interchange station at Castleton between East Lancashire Railway and National Rail services are currently being explored. A rail connection with the Metrolink line also exists, just south of Bury, at Buckley Wells. This was formerly the connection to the Electric Car Shops where the Class 504 EMU sets were maintained, and was created when BR services were diverted to Bury Interchange in 1980. There are plans to construct and open a station at Buckley Wells, between 2012 and 2015, by the locomotive shed.[3] As the majority of the trackwork exists, the work will be relatively simple, requiring just a run round loop and building a platform. This will mean that the south end of the line will be more accessible to the disabled and elderly. A new car and coach park will also be constructed.

The railway is open every weekend of the year and holds a number of themed events and galas throughout the year which include steam and diesel events amongst others, and also offers driver experience courses. The Day out with Thomas events made a return to the railway after a two-year absence, following fresh negotiations, having previously been unable to reach an agreement with HiT Entertainment, the owners of the Thomas brand.[4] While Thomas was absent, the ELR operated "Family Engines Big Day Out" events featuring alternative engines with faces, such as "Jimmy the Jinty".

The railway is run by volunteer members from the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society (ELRPS). The railway is well known for its collection of diesel locomotives which reside on the railway, along with over 140 carriages, wagons and utility vehicles. Although the ELR does offer a local residents' discount card, and many residents do use the trains at weekends, it does not claim to offer a true commuter service either in levels of services or fares.

The railway was recently subjected to controversy and was critised by the local Jewish community for allowing Nazi attire at war time events. Following public complaints the railway mandated that certain elements of Axis forces costume should not be worn but continues to promote the very popular themed events including giving German names to stations (Rawtenstall as Regensburg) and battle reenactments by German troops and British Forces under the title of "1940's Wartime Weekends".

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.

The railway was also featured in an episode of Coronation Street (transmitted on August Bank Holiday 2010) when Hayley and Roy Cropper travelled to their wedding aboard an ELR train of Mark 1 coaches hauled by LMS "Black 5" No. 44871, and in the BBC television film Eric and Ernie, aired on New Year's Day 2011, about the early career of the British comedy act Morecambe and Wise. Bury Bolton street station was featured, along with a train of Mark 1 coaches hauled by LMS "Black 5" No. 44871.

[edit] Railway stations

[ ]
East Lancashire Railway
Unused continuation backward
( to Bacup )
Unknown BSicon "KBHFxa"
Rawtenstall
Unknown BSicon "eHST"
Ewood Bridge and Edenfield
Stop on track
Irwell Vale
Unknown BSicon "eHST"
Stubbins
Unused continuation to right Unknown BSicon "eABZlg"
( to Accrington )
Station on track
Ramsbottom
Enter and exit tunnel
Nuttall Tunnel
Enter and exit tunnel
Brooksbottom Tunnel
Bridge over water
Brooksbottom Viaduct
Stop on track
Summerseat
Unused continuation to right Unknown BSicon "eABZlg"
( to Holcombe Brook )
Enter and exit tunnel
Bury North Tunnel
Station on track
Bury Bolton Street
Track turning from left Junction to right
Bury South Junction
Non-passenger station/depot on track Straight track
Buckley Wells
Unknown BSicon "mueENDEe" Unknown BSicon "eHST"
Bury Knowsley Street
Unknown BSicon "uxABZrg" Unknown BSicon "mKRZo" Unknown BSicon "uKBHFr"
Bury Interchange
Urban continuation forward Straight track
( Manchester Metrolink )
Bridge over water
Roch Viaduct
Unknown BSicon "AKRZ-UKo"
Viaduct over M66 motorway
Unknown BSicon "eHST"
Broadfield
Station on track
Heywood
Continuation forward
( to Hopwood/Castleton )



[edit] Locomotives

The ELR is home to a mixed collection of small to large designs, some of which are main-line certified. These often visit other heritage lines, or can be found operating mainline excursions, especially during the summer season (Mar-Oct).

[edit] Steam

  • Locomotives stored awaiting restoration or overhaul
    • Barclay no.1 (On display in Bury Transport Museum)
    • GWR 2884 Class 3855 (Stored in Baron Street yard)
    • GWR 7200 Class 7229 (Stored in Baron Street yard)
    • SR Battle of Britain Class 34073 '249 Squadron' (Stored in Baron Street yard. Came to the railway in 2006 as a source of spares for sister loco 34067 'Tangmere', which has since left the line)

[edit] Diesel

D7076 Hymek passes under bridge 20 (Manchester Road) From Heywood
  • Diesel Locomotives and DMUs Undergoing Light Work, Overhaul or Restoration
    • F. C. Hibberd 'Planet' 4WDM no. 3438 (Undergoing restoration to working order. Power unit started May 2007 - Currently inside castlecroft shed pending completion of work. Bodywork is near complete. Will take up the role as Wagon Works shunter)
    • BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. 08944 (Stopped after a big end failure. Will return to traffic some time during 2011)
    • 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 fitted in late 2008. A Spring 2011 return beckons following successful testing and commissioning of new systems. Currently located in Baron Street Loco Works.)
    • 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) Class 15 Preservation Society
    • BR Bo-Bo Class 24 no. D5054 "Phil Southern" (Light engine and main gen work. Steam-heat boiler overhaul including manufacture of a new control panel.)
    • BR Co-Bo Class 28 no. D5705 (Next in line for restoration. Cabs currently being worked on. Recently lifted off bogies, stored at Baron Street Loco Works.) Class 15 Preservation Society - Co-Bo News
    • 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 Co-Co Class 37 no. 37418 "Pectinidae". Out of traffic due to low oil pressure. Defective A1 piston has piston-prop in place - main bearings removed. Defective engine now removed and awaiting replacement.
    • 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. Loco now in Buckley Wells shed and liner replacement work continuing, June 2010.)
    • BR C-C Class 52 no. D1041 "Western Prince" (Bodywork replacement started. Rewire of cabs and electrical cubicles started). Loco now back at Castlecroft, having been at the loco works at Baron Street for bodywork repairs. B-end engine recently removed from Class 35 no. D7076.)
    • BR Class 105 unit 51485+56121 (Under restoration in Buckley Wells carriage sheds)
    • BR Class 108 unit 51562+51922 (Was in service for March "DMU Day", 51562 since given a high quality repaint into BR lined Green. Set still requires some mechanical attention and is currently infrequently used.)
    • BR Class 207 unit 1305 (207202 - formed of 60130+70549+60904) (Bodywork overhaul of 60130 and 60904 in progress at Buckley Wells C&W shed as of November 2011.)
  • Stored Diesel Locomotives
    • NIR Class 80 No. 8099 Initially stored on section of 5'3" track at Castlecroft - bought as spares for 207202. Now converted to standard gauge and stored at Buckley Wells.

[edit] Electric

  • Electric Multiple Units
    • BR Class 504 unit 65451+77172 (Stored at Buckley Wells carriage shed, currently being restored as Hauled Coaching Stock)

[edit] Trams

  • Ex-Blackpool Railgrinder 752 is stored onsite at Baron Street on a Separate Track Panel, having moved from Heaton Park Tramway to make way for another vehicle.Currently Owned by the Manchester Transport Museum Society.
  • Ex-Blackpool Balloon 702 is stored next to 752 awaiting depot space at Heaton Park, Currently owned by the Manchester Museum Transport Society.

[edit] Gallery

  • 92214 leaving Ramsbottom station towards Rawtenstall station

  • Class 40 40145 "East Lancashire Railway" standing at Rawtenstall

  • LMS Class 3F 'Jinty' 0-6-0T No. 47324 at Bury Bolton Street station

  • Class 35 'Hymek' no D7076 departs Bury Bolton Street station with a service for Heywood

  • Class 42 'Warship' no D832 departs Ramsbottom with a service for Rawtenstall

  • Bury South Signal Box

  • D5054 Type 2 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive, Heywood to Rawtenstall

  • Visiting 9F 92214 on Bury to Heywood Service

  • Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Aspinall 0-6-0 '27' class locomotive number 1300 at Buckley Wells

[edit] References

  1. ^ "A History of the East Lancashire Railway". eastlancsrailway.org.uk/. http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/history. Retrieved 2009-04-05. 
  2. ^ Shannon, Laura (2007-12-07). "Back on track for connection". Rochdale Observer. http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/news/s/1027597_back_on_track_for_connection. Retrieved 2009-04-05. 
  3. ^ http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/buckley-wells
  4. ^ "Thomas the Tank weekend derailed after legal wrangle". Bury Times. 2009-04-30. http://www.burytimes.co.uk/sport/football/shakers/buryfcredirect/talkingshakers/burynews/4331236.Thomas_the_Tank_weekend_derailed_after_legal_wrangle/. Retrieved 2009-10-28. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: East Lancashire Railway

Coordinates: 53°35′36″N 2°17′59″W / 53.5934°N 2.2997°W / 53.5934; -2.2997

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=East_Lancashire_Railway&oldid=480033272"
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