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

Tornado

For those who may not have seen this before, watch carefully!



As for the other Tornado, I was at Allely's yard the other day and they do not know when to collect the locomotives boiler from Germany. They have not been notified yet.

Vintage Movies

Should you ever be in the area south of Bath, around Monkton Coombe, you will find most of the location for the Titfield Thunderbolt. It is truly a magnificent part of England.

The Hill at the village of Freshford is exactly as you see it in the film.

The opening scene is taken at Midford where the now disused Somerset and Dorset line crosses the old GWR Camerford line on which the film was located. This line closed in 1953.

I have walked the entire locations and it is a wonderful experience to find deep in the undergrowth, traces of old railway.

East Lancs. Railway

On the weekend of 26th and 27th February, I shall be visiting the East Lancs. Railway and at the same time visiting the Bury Transport Museum's Transport Collectors Fair.
Accommodation has been arranged and I am sure a good time will be had by all!