Second lockdown halts East Lancs Railway services

Popular heritage attraction The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has had to halt all services and close its doors once again following the announcement of the second lockdown.

Running between Heywood, Bury and Rawtenstall, ELR will pause all timetabled passenger trains and diner services until 2 December. The railway’s two pubs in Rawtenstall and Bury will also remain closed to the public in line with the requirements from the government.

Passengers who have booked tickets for ELR’s Santa Specials in late November and early December will be contacted to rearrange their bookings to a later date if they wish. 

Mike Kelly, ELR Chairman, said: “It has been great to welcome back passengers and guests to our stations these past few months and it’s with a heavy heart that we must now take action to pause our operations for the moment. 

“We’ve put in place a host of measures to ensure we’re fully Covid-secure so we hope we’ll be able to get back up and running again very quickly if government restrictions are lifted.

The Santa Special services have become an annual fixture on the heritage railway, marking an unforgettable start to the festive season for more than 30 years.

The remaining services in December will see capacity reduced to ensure social distancing measures are met, as well as new processes including NHS Track and Trace and temperature testing for all visitors. A one-way system will be operational at stations, alongside an enhanced cleaning and hygiene regimes. 

These stringent Covid-secure safety measures have been recognised with the Visit England ‘We’re Good to Go’ Charter Mark to acknowledge ELR is meeting all government and public health Covid-19 requirements. 

Prices have been held on standard open carriage seating - remaining as they were in 2019. And for the first time, private compartments in historic carriages can be booked, allowing groups of up to six people to enjoy the timeless journey in a whole new way.

Pending further Government restrictions, Santa Special services will start to run across weekends from 5 December and then daily during Christmas week - December 21 - 24.

ELR launched the East Lancashire Railway Support Fund during lockdown and is appealing to supporters to continue to help and ensure that the latest setback doesn’t put its continued survival under threat. 

• www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/2020/3/the-east-lancashire-railway-support-fund.aspx

Mike added: “I understand how disappointing this closure and the cancellation of some services will be for many and I want to thank everyone for their continued patience and support. We hope to see you all again in early December for some festive fun.”

Operating steam trains along a 12.5-mile line, ELR opened as a heritage railway in 1987, and hosts around 200,000 visitors annually.