Network Access Statement

The East Lancashire Railway Network

The ELR has many resources that can assist you with anything you might require:

• The ELR is a “Heritage Sector” Train Operating Company within the Heritage Rail sector and as such possesses its own rolling stock and has access to both Steam and Diesel Traction as well as Diesel Multiple Units.
• The ELR is also a “Heritage Railway” Infrastructure Manager within the heritage sector and manages the network infrastructure.
• The railway operates traditional heritage “Vacuum Brake” trains, as well as Air Brake trains.
• The railway features 12 miles of running line, complete with supporting infrastructure and marshalling yards. Six miles are fully track circuited with both DC and AC detection. A total of 96 operating miles is easily achievable on a normal working day.
• The line is independent of the national network, operated by Network Rail, but usefully connects to the National Rail network at Castleton (Manchester).
• The railway has a Route Availability (RA) 9 and cleared for C1 for gauge.
• The infrastructure is a traditional jointed heavy rail infrastructure using predominantly concrete sleepers with varying styles of mountings as well as old school timber sleepers with chairs etc. There are sections of both “Flat Bottomed” and “Bull Head” rail ranging from 95lb and 130lb.
• The ELR is fully licensed by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) and can operate two designated single line sections of track at “up to 60mph” for testing of trains. All other sections of the railway are restricted to “up to 25mph” giving prospective clients a good cross-section of operating speeds.
• Signalling on the East Lancashire Railway is predominantly “Semaphore” with the AC Track Circuitry supporting colour light signalling. We have “motor points” in various locations with a number of ground frames and basic points elsewhere.
• Bury Bolton Street offers a unique opportunity in that Bury South Signal Box can signal three concurrent train movements. “Up & Down” main running line and a third from and to our Baron Street Marshalling Yard.
• The Operation of Signalling has TCB Directional Lever and Working by Electronic Token with Bury & Ramsbottom also utilising Station Working. All covered by our own ELR Rule Book and Block Regulations based on British Rail practice.
• Ramsbottom offers a yard with Signalbox controlled access to the running line.
• There are two workshop areas available for use, both fed by seven rail access roads. The first is our Grade I Locomotive Shed, the oldest continuously working shed in the world. The second is our Carriage and Wagon Shed. Both have fully equipped workshops commensurate with their role.
• There are several training and meeting rooms that can be made available of varying sizes.
• We have a competent Operations Manager and/or Duty Director available on the day to support any events.

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