News from the Boardroom-March 2024
- Legends of Steam event was an outstanding success with record levels of visitors.
- ELR and ELRPS have agreed to carry out a joint fund-raising appeal for 13065 (Crab).
- Second batch of trials with Class 153 have been successful.
- ELR has passed the first phase application stage (Expression of Interest) for a grant of £1m for repairs to Higher Woodhill Viaduct and a grant of £2m for repairs to the Baron Street Roof through the Community Ownership Fund. Full applications now being worked on-Support our Loco Works Renovation – JustGiving
- Pendennis Castle is due to arrive in early April.
- Youth Group initiative approved.
- ELR have agreed several work placements for students from Bury College, this partnership will aid creation of and generating more inclusive work experiences.
Legends of Steam Event – 15-17 March
Photos courtesy of Alan Taylor and David Birchall.
The ‘Legends of Steam’ Event, held over three days (15-17 March), proved a big hit with over 4,000 visitors making the journey to the East Lancashire Railway, some from abroad, to see, hear and soak up the atmosphere of these most iconic steam locomotives ever to visit the railway.
Platforms, coaches, shops and pubs were filled with excited visitors keen to see and ride behind ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’, ‘Britannia’ and ‘Leander’ and with many photographers spread out along the railway.
The event exceeded revenue expectations with a trebling of a positive financial contribution in excess of £65k in fares alone.
Mike Kelly, ELR Chair said “Heritage events such as the Legends of Steam prove the value of heritage railways to the wider public and enthusiasts for their love for the nostalgia and engineering excellence of these iconic locomotives. We rarely get the chance to bring together such giants of steam in one place that can boast almost 250 years of steaming experience.
I was very pleased to see many young people enjoying a day out who were far too young to remember when these locomotives were the workhorses in their day. I saw children as young as 2 and as old as 80 coming together to enjoy the weekend.
With over 100 staff and volunteers supporting the event every day, the planning and delivery is central to the success of this event where there was a complex timetable to ensure all the locomotives could be seen and ride behind. I want to thank all our fantastic staff and volunteers who helped showcase the very best of the ELR and heritage railways in general. I would also wish to say a big thank you to the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust, the Royal Scot and General Trust for the hire of 60007 & 70000, Jubilee Loco co for hire of 45690 Leander, Locomotive Services Group, LYR Trust for use of LYR Tank752, and West Coast Railways for short notice hire of additional rolling stock.”
Transport & Rolling Stock
- One side of four road pit has now been concreted to allow access platforms to be used when servicing steam locos.
- T&RS concentrating at Working at Heights issues.
- Works roof is in a poor state and the decision has been taken to net the inside of the roof to protect staff. This is a hard hat area until the netting is installed.
Steam
- Jinty overhaul – no progress since the last report.
- 45407 arrived 11th March.
C&W
- Rawtenstall café coach repairs now complete and back in service.
- L & YR Observation saloon kitchen area refurbishment is progressing.
- A C&W 2-year plan has been produced to indicate workload, estimated costs and coach availability.
Diesel
- Looking for another ETH loco to cover Santas.
- 01 shunter restoration is complete and operational for the first time in 10 years.
Other
- A 2024 T&RS work plan has now been produced.
- Cost reduction scheme (-5%) developed.
- New supplier of red diesel sourced – 25% cheaper than current supplier.
- Looking at running four coaches rather than five to save fuel and wear and tear?
- Future rosters now consider utilising smaller diesels allow times to save diesel.
- Letter sent to all suppliers asking for a 5% reduction is sales costs. All have responded positively.
Bury Transport Museum
The North Eastern hand crane in the BTM needs to be removed to make way for new exhibits, rather than it deteriorating outdoors, the crane will be gifted to a suitable museum/ railway.
Group Bookings
Board reviewed the recent history of group booking which are showing positive signs for 2024, to date. The high figure for 2023 coincided with the visit of Flying Scotsman.
| Year | Travelled/Booked |
| 2022 | 7881 |
| 2023* | 9004 |
| 2024** | 5522 |
Note: * Flying Scotsman Visit
** Current level of Travelled/Booked
Young Persons Group
The ELR Board enthusiastically endorsed a proposal by the General Manager to establish a Young Persons Working Group . This new group supports the Board’s strategy to promote and recruit a younger generation (16-25) of volunteers and to encourage them to get involved with innovative approaches to inspire them.
The young volunteers of today are the next generation managers, supervisors, and skilled volunteers to help sustain the railway into the future. Currently there are 66 people listed on HOPS which is around 8% of the active workforce. Whilst there are initiatives that support the volunteer workforce like Volunteer Champions, the General Manager feels there should be a separate group of younger volunteers working together to develop and support our younger generation volunteers and aid with recruitment of younger volunteers.
ELR Branded Clothing
To support the Board’s strategy to improve recruitment and retention of volunteers and employees the Board agreed to the proposal by the new Director of Customer Services to develop a range of ELR branded clothing. By so doing we are emphasising the investment and support the railway has for its staff and volunteers.
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Chairman's Blog 