East Lancs. Railway

On the weekend of 26th and 27th February, Matt Bisp accompanied me on a visit to the East Lancashire Railway.

Based at Bury's Bolton Street Station the line runs from Heywood through to Rawtenstall and there are plans to further extend the line.

We had an excellent weekend and here is a presentation of some of my photos taken.

Every service had two locomotives operating, either as double headed or 'top and tail'

Here we see 80080, a BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4 loco heading Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0, 46443 service approaching Bury from Heywood.

46443 and 73129 a BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 (1956) depart tender first, double for Heywood.

Here we see 73129 a BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 locomotive circa 1956 waiting to steam out for Heywood

46443, Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 from the late 1940's approaching to couple up for the Rawtenstall service from Bolton Street.

46443 coupled with 71239 double head, departs Ramsbottom

73129 waiting at Ramsbottom, plus also note the brazier directly underneath the water tower and the soot/burn stain on the post. This should prevent the contents on the tower freezing over!

The 'Duke of Gloucester, BR Class 8 Pacific 4-6-2 departs for Heywood

73129 at Summerseat

46443 at Summerseat