Autumn Steam Gala

It’s the last large scale steam event of the year, so make sure to mark it in your calendar, 17 – 19 October!

Update 5 October 2025

We kicked things off with our first guest locomotive for this year’s Autumn Steam Gala – Ivatt 2MT 46441!

The loco hasn’t appeared at the ELR in over 20 years and is making a much welcomed return following a recent overhaul.

Now 46441 is joined by additional guest LMS Stanier Mogul 13268, which will be visiting the railway for the first time! We are very grateful to the Severn Valley Railway and Stanier Mogul Fund for allowing the loco to star as a guest.

13268 is the sole survivor of its class, and recently had a full overhaul to return the locomotive to traffic, and currently carries its early LMS number. Being a North-West based engine throughout its working life, the Mogul will look right at home in our Lancashire landscape, joining fellow LMS and Midland Region locomotives for a packed weekend.

So climb aboard for a weekend of steam powered glory with the East Lancashire Railway’s popular Autumn Steam Gala from 17 – 19 October. This is your chance to ride up and down the line behind the railway’s incredible home fleet, as well as guests.

The weekend will see an intensive, all steam timetable and all the usual bells and whistles of an ELR gala.

Guest Locomotives:

• LMS Stanier Mogul No. 13268 (Visiting courtesy of the Stanier Mogul Fund and the Severn Valley Railway)
• Ivatt 2MT No. 46441 (Visiting courtesy of the Betty Beet and the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway)
• Furness Railway No. 20 (Visiting courtesy of the Furness Railway Trust)

Home Fleet Locomotive Lineup:

• LMS ‘A Class’ No. 12322
• LMS Class 23 No. 11456
• LMS 3F ‘Jinty’ No. 7138 (47298 renumbered into its very early original LMS identity)
• Hudswell Clarke No. 32 ‘Gothenburg’
• BR Standard 4MT No. 80097
• LMS ‘Pug’ No. 11243
• Barclay 1969 ‘J. N. Derbyshire’

“The Night Mail” – Saturday 18 October

For this year’s Autumn Steam Gala we are excited to announce that LMS Stanier Mogul 13268 will be working into the night on Saturday 18th October, with the last arrival into Bury Bolton Street rolling in after midnight!

Mail trains travelling through the night were common sight on the LMS and Midland Region routes, so we are recreating this experience with a full parcel train, and carrying passengers in the same train – Commencing at approximately 6.15pm on Platform 2 at Bury Bolton Street, the parcels and mail will be loaded and unloaded at Bury and Ramsbottom giving perfect photo opportunities and giving a living experience of the Night Mail.

Once we have loaded the last of the parcels at Rawtenstall, 13268 will carry on running into the night with some atmospheric trips along the railway until we arrive after midnight back into Bury – Travel on this Night Mail service will be at a supplement fare which is paid on the train on the night. £17.50 for existing ticket holders from the day, or £25 as a stand-alone ticket if you wish to only travel on the Night Mail.

32 “Gothenburg” Driver Experiences – Rawtenstall Station

Saturday 18^th October: 09.30 to 15.00

Sunday 19^th October: 09.30 to 14.00

A unique opportunity to drive Hudswell Clarke No. 32 ‘Gothenburg’ at Rawtenstall Station in the Bay Platform. Slots are on a first come, first serve basis, and can be booked/paid for in the Rawtenstall Café coach on the day. T&C’s apply and you must be 18 or over.

Ramsbottom Sidings Shunting Demos and Viewing Area – Friday 17 October

On Friday 17^th October, Ramsbottom Sidings will be open to the public giving the chance to get up close with LMS ‘Pug’ 11243, it will be shunting the goods train between 10.15 and 15.45 all day with authentic LMS wagons, and also featuring some parallel running with the main service train as it departs the station! The viewing area is accessed via the picnic area opposite the signal box and will be signposted on the day.

Gala Finale – Quadruple Header on Sunday 19 October

The 16.45 departure from Bury to Ramsbottom will be headed by 4 locomotives! To showcase the LMS feature of this gala and to end in style, 11456, ‘Jinty’ 7138, ‘A Class’ 12322 and Stanier Mogul 13268 will all pull the final service. Not a sight to be missed!

Please note: Locomotives are subject to availability and may not run everyday, or on a passenger service. See the timetable where locomotive allocations are provided.

Fares

Advance discount fares are available to purchase up until midnight the day prior to travel.

Discounted One Day Rover Family Packages are available for:

• 2 Adults and up to 3 Children/Young Persons: £89.50 (Advance) / £99.50 (On The Day)
• 1 Adult and 2 Children/Young Persons: £67.50 (Advance) / £75 (On The Day)

Select the number of tickets you need, and the discount will applied to the basket.

Day Rover Tickets are also available for the following (please show your pass on day of travel):
• Resident Permit Holders
• ELRPS Member
• ATOC Members

Caravan and Motorhome Day Rover tickets are not valid at this event
HRA Passes are not valid at this event.

All online orders are subject to a Booking Fee of £2.50 (per booking, not per ticket).

Children under sixteen years of age are only permitted to enter the company’s trains, stations or other premises when accompanied by a responsible adult.