East Lancs gets into shape for the year ahead with more efficient use of resources

IN the face of increasing operating costs, the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is looking at ways to maintain as many services as possible, but reduce costs where appropriate – such as removing lightly-used journeys from the timetable. ELR chairman Mike Kelly explained: “Visitor wise, it is well documented that fewer passengers ride our trains on a Sunday, in particular early trains, which are regularly running empty or with just a handful of passengers, and where passenger numbers generally pick up closer to midday. “As a result, these early trains are always running at a loss. We have also considered the impact on volunteer fatigue, as for many it’s a very long day. To address this, we are introducing a new slimmed down Sunday timetable which shortens the operating day by around 60 minutes.” To reduce the need to steam a third locomotive, the timetable also caters for the line’s diner service being attached to a service train and departing Bury at 12.30 on Sundays rather than 13.00 – the diner goes to Heywood first and then onto Rawtenstall. Mid-week, two trains will run per day– one of which will be a diner. The ELR Is also looking to increase use of diesel traction. With the support of Rochdale Council, the ELR will continue to operate to Heywood midweek, as it has for the past year. Previously, trains have only run to Heywood at weekends. More immediately, with the boiler certificate for Furness Railway trust-owned GWR 0-6-2T No. 5643 due to expire, the last opportunity to travel behind the ‘56XX’ for the foreseeable future at the ELR is on December 26/27.