News
Health and Safety Training for ELR staff and volunteers
The ELR Company has developed a proactive health and safety campaign aimed at keeping all staff, volunteers and visitors safe on the railway. An independent Health and Safety Committee has been set up and the initial outcome of their work identified a suite of Health and Safety programmes for all staff and volunteers.
The second Managing Safely training course (pictured), attended by senior ELR staff and Chairman Mike Kelly, was run in August. Following the course Mike said “we all need to challenge unsafe practices, report near misses and build safety into our DNA. See it; Say it; Sort it.”
Look out for Mike’s article Making Health and Safety Work for Everyone in the autumn edition of the ELR Review.
Unveiling of commemorative plaque
On Saturday evening 21st July a plaque was unveiled on platform 2 by some of our longest serving members and some of our newest members. The plaque commemorates the vision and contribution of all the pioneers, working members and supporters of the ELR, past and present.
At the unveiling Richard Law spoke about the journey the railway and its supporters have taken from the early days at Helmshore through to the vibrant organisation we enjoy today.
Re-dedication and unveiling of L&Y C&W Dept. WW1 memorial
Re-dedication and unveiling of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Carriage & Wagon Department First World War Memorial
On Friday 28 June 2019 the restored memorial to those of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Carriage and Wagon Department who fell or served in the Great War was rededicated.
In the 1990’s the name boards from the memorial were brought to the ELR for safe custody and remained in Baron Street for over 20 years. Works to restore the memorial to its original condition were undertaken by Andrew G Podmore & Son, of York and the memorial is now located in the Northern Rail Newton Heath Depot.
The full story of this remarkable rescue and restoration will be carried in the next edition of the ELR News.
Photo: David Flood, Kathleen Hobbs, widow of John, and Richard Law standing in front of the restored memorial.
Ramsbottom Station Master - volunteer opportunity
Applications are invited for the role of Station Master at Ramsbottom Station. Applications are also invited for the role of Assistant Station Master. Both positions are volunteer and unpaid.
If you are interested and would like to know more about either role, please contact peter.eccles@eastlancsrailway.co.uk for a full Role Description and details of the application process.
The closing date for receipt of applications will be Sunday July 21st, with the intention to interview in the last week of July and appoint in August.
Commemorating the work of volunteers
On Saturday 20th July the oldest working member of the society and the youngest working member will unveil a plaque commemorating the efforts and dedication of working members, past and present.
This historic event will take place on Platform 2 of Bury Bolton Street Station at 5:30pm shortly before the Railway’s Volunteer Barbeque in the yard of the Transport Museum. All members and families are invited to attend the unveiling
Operational road/rail multi-car donated
Metrolink have donated a fully operational and certified road/rail multi-car with a man-riding cherry boom attached. After staff have been trained on its safe use and operation the vehicle will be used for the roof cleaning project. The road/rail multi-car will then be used on a multitude of other tasks such as signal and over-bridge maintenance and window cleaning.
Santa Specials - tickets now on sale
The Santa Specials Ticket Hotline is now open on 0343 208 1858 – and sure to sell out very quickly!
"Booked this trip on the Santa Express early because I knew how popular it gets. Perfect Christmas day out for the children."
This year the specials start on Saturday 30th November and continue every weekend through to 24th December – most days running 9 trains. The full timetable, including details of the Heywood Shuttle, is available here.
Each year around 40,000 people take great pleasure in a Santa Specials experience, enjoying the steam hauled ride to Rawtenstall and back, the traditional brass band and carol singing on board, meeting Santa and his elves as they travel through the train giving a hand-wrapped gift to each child on board.
"We have been on other Santa specials this is by far the best and would recommend staff and volunteers gave a real Lancashire welcome."