The history of the East Lancashire railway is a story of a heroic struggle to keep a dying part of Britain’s heritage alive, and this struggle still goes on today.

The Railways past is inextricably linked to that of the areas industry. The railways provided industries with a vital link to the country’s network of import, export, raw materials and probably most important of all, workers. Even in those utilitarian times however, the East Lancashire Railway provided a leisure time service for holidaying workers. Developing technology in turn developed the railway, however it was also the introduction of newer, more cost effective technologies that led to the decline of the Railway as the main method of transportation.

The influx of cars, trucks and buses on Britains roads soon made the railway a liability rather than a vital service in the eyes of the government, and all but the bare minimum of stations were closed. This is where the battle to preserve the East Lancashire Railway begins. Under various names the East Lancashire Light Railway company and the East Lancashire Railway trust have worked dilligently and for the most part voluntarily to keep a little piece of this bygone age alive.

The story does not end there, the railway continues to develop its services and expand, and with the invaluable aid of its staff and volunteers, will hopefully continue to do so for many years to come.

Note - Locos that show as resident may be based here but loaned to other sites, click on 'Loco' to view the most recent location

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