Carriage awaits for station pub drinkers
A RAILWAY is trialling the placement of additional static carriages at its stations allowing for extra seating and extending the local pubs onto the platform and a warm shelter from winter weather.
Rawtenstall pub goers can now grab a pint from Buffer Stops pub and soak in the authentic atmosphere of a classic 20th century railway carriage just a few steps away from the bar.
The carriage added to Rawtenstall station, one of seven stops on the East Lancashire Railway line, adds 40 additional seats to the pub.
This is part of the East Lancashire Railway trial for the placement of additional static carriages at its Rawtenstall and
Bury stations.
Chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, Mike Kelly, said: “We fully
appreciate that sitting outside through the winter season is not possible every day.
“So, while the railway is closed in January and February for important track maintenance works, we brought up a couple of vintage carriages ensuring there is an additional welcome place for people to enjoy a drink in a unique setting.
“We put in extra heating and set the carriages in both platforms where the customer feedback has
been a big thumbs up!
“It was the pub staff who had the idea and it has been a joint effort to get it in place, so a big thank you to all our staff and volunteers who have made it possible.”
The heritage railway is run by volunteers and relies on the local community to keep its doors open, so the added seating not only adds to the atmosphere, but also helps drive vital revenue into the railway, which is a registered charity.