Iconic High Speed Train to visit Castleton Station

Castleton Railway Station

An iconic Inter City 125 High Speed Train will visit Castleton on Saturday 12 October at 12:38, stopping at the platform and reversing into the Bags Yard. The train is of the type used in 'This is the Age of the Train' adverts for British Rail in the 1980s.

The special is on route from London St Pancras to Rawtenstall on the heritage East Lancashire Railway (ELR)and will also pass through Heywood.

Frank Salt, of The Friends of Castleton Station, comments: "Once again the importance of the East Junction at Castleton to link the main line with the ELR is shown, and the potential for hundreds of visitors to a new station of the heritage railway at Castleton would invigorate the village, as it has at Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall."

Plans to build a new station are advancing with local councillor Billy Sheerin representing Rochdale on the board of the East Lancs.

Cllr Sheerin says: "The growing number of new houses in Castleton will increase the importance of Castleton and The Friends of the station are becoming more active, as witnessed by the floral displays on the Manchester bound platform, planted with the help of our local primary school children.

"The Friends of Castleton Station are keen to welcome new members to assist us in making the station a pleasant and safe place for passengers and in working with the ELR to bring the vintage train service into the village."  

If you are interested in helping please contact the Friends via:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/friends-of-castleton-station  

or contact Frank Salt or Roy Williams around and about the station.