For those travelling from further afield or perhaps those of you wishing to make a weekend of it, the following is provided for information along with some suggestions for possible locations to stay in the surrounding areas.
Hotels and Guest Houses shown below have been grouped by the nearest ELR station with approximate walking times indicated where appropriate as well as some ideas of places to stay in the Wider General Area including the Burrs Caravan Park, plus Metrolink details and link.
For more details about the ELR including Station locations and gradient profile, see the About the Line page.
The ELR spans three Council areas, Bury, Rochdale & Rossendale. Tourist Information links are below, plus the Visit Lancashire site. Most have details of places to stay.
(5-10 minute walk)
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Old White Lion Bolton Street |
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Premier Inn Knowsley Street |
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(15-20 minute walk)
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The Old Mill Springwood, Ramsbottom |
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| Burrs Caravan Club Site, Bury |
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Village Hotels Waterfold, Bury |
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The Red Lion Hawkshaw |
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Red Hall Hotel Walmersley |
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Bolholt Hotel nr Tottington |
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Travelodge M66, M60, Bolton, Oldham and Manchester |
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All links are for information only and are not recommendations. The ELR accept no liability for any losses incurred or other problems should you choose accomodation shown. However, please let us know if you have any very good or very bad experiences so that we can consider altering content accordingly.
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The Yell site may also be of use along with the Tourist Information links. |
If have your own transport, accomodation in the surrounding area may be suitable. Hotels and Guest Houses close to Bury are often booked up very quickly ahead of major ELR events.
Accrington, Bolton, Blackburn, Oldham, Rossendale, Rochdale and others are all within 30-40 minutes by car. Public Transport services vary.
Manchester and Metrolink
Staying in Manchester and using the Metrolink service to travel to Bury is also possible, however please note that Engineering Works can sometimes disrupt weekend services. Please check before travelling.
The Metrolink network extends to Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton-Under-Lyne and South Manchester but Please Note that in order to travel from any of these you will need to go through Manchester, there is no direct route. Click the below to access the Metrolink website.
There are a wide range of events at the East Lancashire Railway ranging from Family and Education, Re-enactments, Sci-Fi, Transport and Collector's Fairs.
Selected events are shown below. See the ELR Website for the full event schedule including Family Events.
| Event | Date(s) |
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Railway 200 'Open House'
Haulage opportunities between Bury and Summerseat with MSC 4002, 11506 (D2956), D2062, 08164, 13594 (08479) and 09024 with Steam LMS Pug 19 (11243) and Barclay 1969 'Jane Derbyshire'. Diesel fleet locos 40012, 50015 and 56006 on display. |
Saturday 18th January |
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Winter Diesel Day
Featuring 33109, 37109, 40012, 45108, 47765 and 50015 with Class 105, Class 122 and 144009 plus Shunters 11506 (D2956), D2062, 09024 and MSC 4002 33109 Captain Bill Smith RNR's last running day before retirement for overhaul and refurbishment. |
Saturday 8th February |
| Legends of Steam | Friday 14th to Sunday 16th March |
| Day Out with Thomas | Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th May |
| Summer Diesel Gala | Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th July |
| Day Out with Thomas | Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August |
| Day Out with Thomas | Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October |
| Autumn Steam Gala | Friday 17th to Sunday 19th October |
| DMU Gala | Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November |
All events subject to availability
While every effort will be made to ensure events take place as advertised, rostered locos or units are available
and running to the advertised timetable, the ELR reserves the right to cancel or terminate without prior notice.
