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Celebrate and educate, 200 glorious years of rail in the United Kingdom.
Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 September 2025
The East Lancashire Railway has always worked towards one simple goal, to keep the past alive.
We have always believed that preserving our heritage, whether it be steam and diesel locomotives, rolling stock, stations, signalboxes and all of our unique infrastructure, every aspect is vital to educate generations to come…
To celebrate this story, we’ll be running several steam and diesel passenger trains which have heavily influenced the ELR’s story through its working life, right through to preservation, including one hauled by Furness Railway No.20, the oldest working steam locomotive in the country, secured for this event with the support of the ELR Preservation Society. This service will be hauling vintage carriages so you can travel in true Victorian style.
We’ll also be allowing visitors onto the cab of certain locos, view demonstrations, speak with crews and interact with characters from railway history. Everything finishes with an original theatrical performance at Bury Transport Museum!
Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 September
Heritage Locomotives
Several Steam and Diesel locomotives will be running regular services throughout the day.
Board our Victorian Steam Service with Furness Railway No.20, the oldest working steam locomotive in the country.
Celebrate the era of the London Midland and Scottish Railway, one LMS locomotive, 11456, will be running steam services. 75s was built by Beyer Peacock in 1881 as a 0-6-0 tender engine designed for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway by Barton Wright. In 1896 it was rebuilt at Horwich as a 0-6-0 saddle tank to an Aspinall design as there was a need for shunting locomotives.
Moving on to British Rail in the 50s and 60s, the transition from steam to diesel will be represented by 34092 “City of Wells” running in the morning before switching to Diesel Class 24, D5054.
Finally we commemorate the BR Blue era of the 1970s with diesel services hauled by 7076 “Hymek” and 832 “Onslaught”. 832 and the “Hymek” 7076 were two of the original diesels that came to the railway when the railway was operating out of Castlecroft in the early years, before Trevor T Jones secured Baron Street Works for the railway. These locomotives would have originally worked around the Devon and Bristol area.
Watch the Trailer
Meet the Locos
Hands On History
Climb into the cab of one of our most popular steam locomotives, the “City of Wells”, which will be on stationary display on the platform. Gain a new perspective on these incredible machines and speak with the crew of the engine. The Standard 4 Group will also be stationed on the platform selling railway memorabilia.
Talk to the Past
Meet and interact with the inventor of the world’s first high pressure steam engine, Richard Trevithick. You will also listen to an argument between “Flying Scotsman” driver Bill Sparshatt and Moses Truro, Driver of “City of Truro”. Which one do you think broke the speed record first?
L&Y/LMS “Pug” 11243 Demonstrations
Get up close to a locomotive in action. This small steam engine was designed to facilitate the expansion of the Southampton Docks during a period of increasing trade. The crew of Pug 19 will be on sire to discuss the locomotive and explain some of the tools they work with.
Sunday 14 September – 200 Years of Rail Theatrical Performance
Bury Transport Museum will play host to a theatrical performance; RAIL 200! A comical, educational and entertaining look back at our railways for the past 200 years! Along the way you will meet famous historical figures, relive milestone events and learn about the many twists and turns of the past two centuries of rail.
First Performance: 11:30
Second Perfomance: 14:30
Seating provided on first come first served basis, all welcome. Included with travel ticket.
200 Years of Rail!
