175th Anniversary of branch line from Castleton to Heywood

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Surinder and Cecile Biant, with Keith Whitmore and The East Lancashire Railway President Pete Waterman

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The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Surinder and Cecile Biant were at the celebrations of the anniversary of 175 years since the branch line from Castleton to Heywood was opened in 1841.

The East Lancashire Railway President Pete Waterman spoke of his pride in British steam railway expertise to the school children from three Heywood schools and dignitaries, including the Mayor of Rochdale and invited guests, and told the children that “Steam railways will always be with us”.

Event organiser Keith Whitmore also spoke of the day, hopefully soon to come, when the ELR arrives at its own station in Castleton, Here Here echoed the audience.

The whole party boarded a special train, with West Country class pacific steam locomotive ‘City of Wells for a return journey to Bury, which all the children, and this adult, enjoyed greatly.

Frank Salt from STORM said: “STORM were well represented at this morning’s celebration of the anniversary of 175 years since the branch line from Castleton to Heywood was opened in 1841. The event was a great success.”