News from the Boardroom – 30 June 2023

Posted on by Mike Kelly

Visit England-Mystery Shopping

The ELR passed its latest Visit England Quality Inspection, the first since 2019.

Highlights included:

  • Careful retention of authenticity
  • Immaculately presented, friendly and knowledgeable station/train staff
  • Superb displays in the Transport Museum
  • Very high standards of maintenance, décor and cleanliness across all areas
  • Very good provision of toilet facilities
  • Attractive (and hugely popular) outdoor drinks and dining spaces at Bury and Rawtenstall

Small Engines Weekend

The small engines gala was a great success and and very much appreciated by steam and diesel enthusiasts alike. Our grateful thanks go to our great staff and volunteers who successfully organised and delivered this unique heritage event. Callum Porter (2L); Liam Barnes (2R) and Johnny Valentine (far right).

Buckley Wells

As part of securing planning permission for improving and modernising workshop and storage facilities at Buckley Wells the ELR received a number planning conditions before any works could start on site. Its pleasing to announce that Equilibrium our architects have submitted a ‘discharge of planning conditions’ to Bury Planning department. It could be many weeks before we know if they will be accepted.

Marketing Lancashire

Our thanks go to the East Lancs Railway Trust for funding and Marketing Lancashire for the design and printing for a group of heritage styled posters promoting our three local authority partners attractions and are located at ELR stations along the line.

Great British Railways

We were pleased and proud to welcome Michael Portillo and his film crew to the ELR and to be part of Series 14 of his successful and long running ‘Great British Railway Journeys’ TV programme.

Network Rail Training Day

The ELR P Way team were delighted to welcome volunteers from Network Rail to help carry out essential maintenance work.

The team of 8 staff from the Manchester office spent the day replacing wooden sleepers and carrying out other track work near to the line’s Bolton Street station.

Simon Bishop, Network Rail senior structures engineer said “It was great to get out of the office for a day and get stuck into some hard but enjoyable work helping maintain a heritage railway.

While the trains still run on rails, the modern railway is very different to how things used to be so its been really valuable to spend time at the East Lancashire Railway learning new skills and helping maintain its infrastructure so it can carry its passengers safely and reliably in the future.”

T&RS

  • 34092- firebox works and tubing are almost completed, hydraulic testing / steam testing should be completed by end of July all being well.  Loco should be back in service by last quarter of 2023 with a 5-year certificate.
  • 80097 – Flu tubes are currently being installed, Loco has still has to pass a hydraulic test.
  • 32 – Intermediate mechanical repairs have been successful and loco has been restored to normal operations. 
  • BFK 14019 – Is almost completed and appeared at the Diesel gala, however some interior works will need to be completed after the event.
  • GWR Obo has been repaired and is again back into service. 
  • Hymek D7076 will return to service during the diesel gala following engine refurb. 
  • Fuel prices – Coal are falling with Diesel fuel now back at 2021 prices.

Santa Specials

Check out new Santa Special’s video – https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/santa-trains/

Keep the Faith.

End

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