East Lancashire Railway

Who we are

The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is a not for profit steam and diesel heritage railway which was successfully re-launched in 1987.  Today the ELR attracts around 200,000 visitors annually to ride on the railway, visit the transport museum or attend an extensive programme of special events operating along a 12 mile stretch from the northern terminus at Rawtenstall in Lancashire through Ramsbottom and Bury to Heywood in Greater Manchester.

Heritage trains run every weekend and bank holiday throughout the year.  During school holidays and from April to September, the timetable is extended with services operating from Wednesday to Sunday.  Trains call at seven stations or halts along the route: Heywood, Bury, Burrs Country Park, Summerseat, Ramsbottom, Irwell Vale and Rawtenstall.  The railway also operates two popular real ale pubs on two of its stations, Bury and Rawtenstall.

ELR relies on volunteers to keep the fire of this little piece of British heritage stoked and burning and we are always on the lookout for more volunteers to join our family!

Our culture and values

We aim to ignite a passion for railway history by preserving and bringing to life the thrilling stories of the past. Through hands-on restoration, immersive experiences, and vibrant community engagement, we strive to transport visitors into a world of adventure and nostalgia. We are committed to inspiring future generations to explore and connect with the remarkable legacy of heritage railways, ensuring these incredible stories continue to captivate and excite for years to come.

We value:

• Passion: We are passionate about our railway, our history, and our community. We strive to share our enthusiasm and knowledge with everyone who visits us.

• Quality: We are committed to delivering a high-quality service, maintaining our standards of safety, cleanliness, and reliability. We aim to exceed our visitors' expectations and to continuously improve our operations.

• Inclusion: We are inclusive and welcoming of people from all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. We respect and value diversity and promote accessibility and equality in everything we do.

• Collaboration: We work together as a team, supporting each other and our partners. We foster a culture of trust, respect, and communication. We seek feedback and learn from our experiences.

• Innovation: We are innovative and creative, embracing new ideas and opportunities. We adapt to changing circumstances and challenges, and seek to enhance our railway and our visitor experience.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

The East Lancashire Railway is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among all who are involved with, associated with, and who visit our organisation, by encouraging acceptance, equal treatment and opportunities, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

Our full policy covers all employees, volunteer working members, ordinary members, suppliers, contractors, customers of, and visitors to the East Lancashire Railway.  

The ELR aims to be representative of all sections of society and ensure that all employees, volunteers, suppliers, contractors, customers of, and visitors to the East Lancashire Railway feel respected and their experiences and interactions with us are positive and inclusive. 

Copies of our full EDI policy and our Worker Protection Policy are available on request, please contact [email protected]