East Lancashire Railway hails brake van success

Lancashire Railway made a significant and successful change to its operations during its recent summer diesel event, which took place from June 30-July 2.

The railway has traditionally operated a passenger shuttle service on the four-mile section of line between Bury Bolton Street and Ramsbottom during its special events to provide additional interest and enhance timetables.

However, for the summer diesel event this year the railway replaced its usual passenger shuttle train between the two towns for a lengthy freight train, with brake vans at each end available to a limited number of passengers paying an additional supplement.

Passengers were carried on the brake vans between the two stations but had to alight upon arrival at Ramsbottom station, as the sidings there are not passed for passenger operation.

The trains proved extremely popular, with most of them running at capacity, and the railway reported many positive comments from visitors who had enjoyed the experience.

It also proved to be a valuable source of additional revenue for the railway on top of the usual ticket sales and other income generated. Driver experience trips around Bury Bolton Street station also proved extremely popular, with a high demand from visitors wishing to take part. An appearance from under-restoration Class 28 Co-bo D5705 was also successful, with visitors able to see the progress being made on its restoration.

ELR finance director David Layland told Railways Illustrated that the event had been the most successful diesel event held by the railway for a number of years and he was delighted to see such a positive reaction from visitors.

The event featured all of the railway’s operational diesel fleet and now-preserved 144009, operating alongside visiting locomotives Class 20s D8096 and D8107 Jocelyn Fielding 1940-2020 from Locomotive Services Group, privately-owned 26007 from Barrow Hill, 37703 from Harry Needle Railroad Company, 60046 William Wilberforce from DC Rail, and 68031 Felix courtesy of Transpennine Express and Direct Rail Services.

Tom Mcatee Introduced during the 2022 summer diesel event, the East Lancashire Railway has replaced its Bury to Ramsbottom shuttle service with a freight train that could be travelled on by passengers paying an additional supplement. On the first day of the event, June 30, D832 Onslaught works the 13.40 Bury to Ramsbottom goods service through Burrs.