Little & Large Dvd: East Lancashire Railway

Description

The East Lancashire Railway was first opened in the 19th Century to serve the mill, quarry and mine owners along the two routes that passed through Bury Town.

In 1846 the north-south route opened, which allowed services to run from Manchester to Bolton.

The north-south line passed through Radcliffe, Bury, Ramsbottom, the Irwell Vale, Summerseat and Rawtenstall.

The east-west route opened in 1841 as a branch of the Manchester to Leeds Railway from Castleton to Heywood, the line was later extended to Bury in 1848.

Passenger services were withdrawn between Bury and Rawtenstall by British Rail on the 3rd June 1972.

Coal services to Rawtenstall ended in 1980, and formal closure followed in 1982.

The East Lancashire Railway Trust reopened the line on 25 July 1987.

The initial service operated between Bury and Ramsbottom.

In 1991 the service was extended northwards from Ramsbottom to reach Rawtenstall, via Irwell Vale.

The railway later opened a further extension to Heywood from Bury in 2003.

Today, the East Lancashire Railway runs for a total of twelve miles from Heywood to Rawtenstall passing through picturesque scenery of the Irwell Vale.

The railway is re-known amongst enthusiasts for their collection of steam and diesel engines which are regular performers at gala events throughout the year.

Over the past few years, several steam engines of all shapes and sizes have graced their presence along the twelve mile route.

This programme features several of those engines working hard at the different gradients from Heywood to Rawtenstall and passing through the beautiful scenery the railway has to offer.

The East Lancashire Railway was the first railway to host return of the ‘Flying Scotsman’ in January 2016.

The engine is captured on this dvd at several locations hauling passenger services in Wartime black.

Some of the engines featured include:

BR 8P No.71000 Duke of Gloucester

BR 4MT No.76084

BR 4MT No.80080

BR 7MT No.70013 Oliver Cromwell

GWR 64XX No.6430

LMS 2MT No.46443

LMS 5MT No.44871

LMS 5MT No.45407 The Lancashire Fusilier

LMS 5P No.13065

LMS 7F No.49395

LMS 8P No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland

LNER A3 No.502 Flying Scotsman

LNER A4 No.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley

LNER A4 No.60009 Union of South Africa

LNER B1 No.61264

LNER B1 No.61306 Mayflower

LNER K1 No.62005

LNER K4 No.61994 The Great Marquess

LNER N2 No.1744

SR WC No.34046 Braunton

SR WC No.34092 City of Wells

And many others.

Engines both little and large are witnessed hauling a range of passenger and freight services along the twelve mile route.

Several photo charters are featured on throughout including engines 44871, 46443, 61306, 61264, 46233, 49395 and 34092.

Approx.97 minutes

This dvd is being sold on behalf of and with full permission of the copyright owner – Steaming Around Yorkshire Film Productions – SAY.