East Lancashire Railway

  • East Lancashire Railway adds British Sign Language interpreter to Santa Specials for first time

    East Lancashire Railway adds British Sign Language interpreter to Santa Specials for first time

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    The East Lancashire Railway has teamed up with foster care and special needs provider Family Care to provide a British Sign Language interpreter for children on selected Santa Special trains later this year, in what will be a first for the railway. The new facility will be available for families to book from November on…

  • Halloween Ghosts Trains return to the East Lancashire Railway

    Halloween Ghosts Trains return to the East Lancashire Railway

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    Something spooky is coming to Bury soon with the ELR’s annual Halloween Ghosts Trains. Ghouls and ghosts are making a spine-tingling return to the East Lancashire Railway, 29 – 31 October 2026. Tickets are available to book now… if you dare! This year the seasonal spectacular revolves around the sinister swamp monster of Irwell Vale.…

  • Historic achievement as East Lancashire Railway welcomes its first female steam locomotive driver

    Historic achievement as East Lancashire Railway welcomes its first female steam locomotive driver

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    The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is celebrating a landmark moment in its history following the successful completion of the driving assessment by Steph Elwood, who has become the railway’s first female steam locomotive driver. Steph’s achievement marks the culmination of a long journey on the railway, following the traditional route through the steam department from…

  • The East Lancashire Railway gets the local community involved with a Christmas Card competition.

    The East Lancashire Railway gets the local community involved with a Christmas Card competition.

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    The spirit of Christmas is coming early, and the ELR want to encourage families to get more involved in the famous Santa Special event this year by combining two things that little ones absolutely love: Christmas and getting creative! All they need to do is design a Christmas Card related to the railway. Every entry…

  • Recreating the past

    Recreating the past

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    Railway photography for me is about two things: a record for capturing a point in time to preserve a memory and an art form to create a great-looking image. Sometimes for me that is to recreate an essence of how things used to be. I’m always looking out for a composition that takes me back…

  • The Flying Scotsman visit is a flying success

    The Flying Scotsman visit is a flying success

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    The East Lancashire Railway was excited to welcome the legendary Flying Scotsman back onto its track for an array of unique experiences at the beginning of June. Ever since the railway played a key role in her historic restoration, she has held a special place in the heart of the ELR. Her occasional visits are…

  • New East Lancashire Railway Directors appointed to Company Board

    New East Lancashire Railway Directors appointed to Company Board

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    Following an internal and external recruitment process we have two excellent additions to the company board. Both directors join the board at this challenging time to help drive up revenues and secure influential new partnerships which help achieve the board’s ambition of achieving high levels of sustainability to preserve the heritage railway’s long history. Phil…

  • Shunters in Focus: 08472 Sold, 12083 Under Threat, D2996 Targeted

    Shunters in Focus: 08472 Sold, 12083 Under Threat, D2996 Targeted

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    Former Craigentinny pilot No. 08472 has been sold into private ownership by Hunslet as part of the company’s continuing downsizing of its pool of Class 08s. Once part of the Wabtec fleet, it had been in Hunslet ownership since early 2021 but the loss of the Craigentinny duty to Railway Support Services in May 2023…

  • Recent restoration round-up around the country

    Recent restoration round-up around the country

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    A recent round-up of restoration projects as seen in Railways Illustrated Magazine, compiled by Pip Dunn. 03145 – Moreton Park: In September, the reduced-height 03 received a layer of polish from the top down to give it some protection during the winter. Some rust spots on the cab end and sides were treated and a…

  • East Lancashire Railway announces Summer Diesel Gala

    East Lancashire Railway announces Summer Diesel Gala

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    The East Lancashire Railway’s Summer Diesel Gala takes place next month with a great line up of visiting locomotives. The three-day event kicks off on the 27th of June. Joining members of the ELR home fleet, the following locomotives are visiting for the gala: Class 20, 20066 last operated a passenger service on the mainline…


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