The history of the ELRPS

The Society was formed in 1968 to preserve the line between Stubbins Junction and Haslingden, which closed in 1966. With the ever present threat of closure hanging over the Bury-Rawtenstall line, it moved from Helmshore, early in 1972, to the former railway warehouse at Castlecroft, where it set up Bury Transport Museum.

In June 1972 passenger services between Bury and Rawtenstall were withdrawn, but as coal traffic continued there was no possibility of any preserved operations on the line.

When in March 1980 the third rail electric services from Manchester to Bury were transferred to Bury interchange, Bolton Street Station became the headquarters of the ELRPS and its operating company the East Lancashire Light Railway Co. Ltd.. In December 1980 the Bury-Rawtenstall line was closed to all traffic and could have disappeared completely but thanks to the help of the Local Authorities it was saved, although it was almost seven years before it could be reopened, in July 1987, and then initially only between Bury and Ramsbottom, a distance of four miles, and almost four more years passed before the full eight mile line from Bury to Rawtenstall was opened in April 1991.

That year the raiilway line between Bury and Manchester was converted to the Metrolink tram, and the ELR lost its link to the railway network, so discussions took place to regain a connection at Castleton, using the curve from Bolton Street on the Bury-Heywood line, which was still largely intact but unused, although one bridge adjacent to the former Broadfield station had been removed, and the Metrolink tram route had to be crossed.

By mid 1993 the connection to Heywood had been achieved by building a new bridge over the Metrolink, and replacing the missing bridge. Unfortunately this was too late to bring in locos for the event staged to mark 25 years since the last steam on BR, and the silver jubilee of the ELRPS.

However 1993 also saw the acquisition by Bury Council of the Loco Works at Buckley Wells, which is now the steam running shed, and a listed building, being the oldest loco works still in use for its original purpose.

The railway received a further boost when, on 3rd September 2003, a section of 3½ miles between Bury and Heywood was officially opened, giving a track length of nearly 13 miles, (a 26 mile round trip). This put us firmly into the big league of preserved railways.

On Wednesday 25th July 2007 the ELR and the ELRPS commenced a 5 day celebration of 20 years of operation with a re-running of the original opening special at 11.05 from Bury to Ramsbottom with two 0-6-0 tank engines and as many of the original coaches that a re available. Upon arrival at Ramsbottom there was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The train then returned to Bury and a celebration took place at The Elizabethan Suite, Bury Town Hall.