Chairman's Blog

Another ELR landmark was reached today with the relaunch of our Dining with Distinction programme, starting with a Lancastrian Lunch. Massive thanks to Diner Team, Ops staff & volunteers to make today possible. Also thanks to Bury Environmental Services for their support with social distancing and approving our Social Distancing delivery operations. Check out our … More Dining with Distinction-Welcome Back – 6 September 2020

Welcome Back! It can’t have escaped the notice for readers of this blog that this is the first ‘News from the Boardroom’ blog since February when we were pitched into Lockdown on the 23 March, some 22 weeks ago. Interestingly, I have had a quick look again at the February blog which talked about the … More News from the Boardroom – 28 August 2020

However you try to describe the re-opening of the railway today, its was both a relief and also a great ‘behind the scenes’ endeavour. Whilst we had extra Covid 19 measures in place our staff, volunteers and passengers enjoyed a great day travelling behind 80097 Standard 4 which made three trips throughout the day from … More ELR Finally Reopens – A Historic Day – 8 August 2020

PRESS RELEASE East Lancashire Railway Reschedules Re-opening For August 8th The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has enhanced its safety measures as it prepares to welcome back visitors from Saturday (August 8th). The much-loved heritage attraction had intended to resume passenger services last weekend after closing its doors for four months amid the coronavirus outbreak. But … More ELR Finally to Open-8th August 2020

Press Release East Lancs Railway reopening on pause following new guidelines The East Lancs Railway (ELR) has had to pause its plans to reopen tomorrow (1 August) following new localised restrictions from the Government. After reviewing the new rules for Greater Manchester, and with staff, volunteer and passenger safety as a priority, ELR has made … More ELR Reopening 1-2 August Postponed

It here, after 133 days in lockdown we can finally come out and start running trains again – ELR Reopening Details and Tickets To get to this point a lot of sterling work has been undertaken behind the scenes from a great many people who deserve our heartfelt thanks and hopefully their reward will be … More ELR Reopens to Run Trains from 1st August 2020

Great first day, good to see customers enjoying a drink. Thanks to Andy (Trackside) the team and volunteers. At the Buffer Stops customers used the recently erected canopy. Thanks to Ian (Bufferstops) the team and volunteers.

Its over 100 days since the start of the lockdown where we have been unable welcome visitors. From this Saturday and Sunday 4/5 July we will host paying customers again at our two pubs – The Trackside at Bury Bolton Street station and Buffer Stops at Rawtenstall. Throughout those 100 days we have faced an … More ELR Pubs Reopening Confirmed!

Some weeks ago the Department of Transport announced that funding of £50,000 had been awarded to Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) to support a feasibility study for metro-link services running from Bury to Rochdale, the first part of the study would look at Heywood to Rochdale. There has been some disquiet expressed by volunteers about … More Restoring Railways Fund Update-30 June 2020

It is 98 days since the railway closed on the 20th March. Following the recent Government announcement to reduce social distancing, inevitably there will be an expectation as to when the railway will be re-opening. After being closed for 3 months, there is much repair and maintenance work to do behind the scenes to prepare … More Lockdown Update-26 June 2020