Previous Productions

Film and Television on the East Lancashire Railway

ELR has long been a favourite filming location for television and movie productions thanks to its authentic period atmosphere, classic stations, and working heritage trains. From gritty dramas and historical documentaries to comedies and music videos, the ELR has featured in a wide variety of screen projects since the early 1990s.

A Brief History of Screen Appearances

The ELR’s first major appearance was in Let Him Have It (1991), starring Tom Courtenay, setting a precedent for the line’s use in high-quality productions. In the following years, the railway became a popular choice for period dramas and crime series, including Cracker (1993), The Last Train (1999), and Vincent (2005), which filmed scenes at Heywood Station with Ray Winstone and Suranne Jones.

In the 2000s and beyond, the ELR continued to attract major productions. Life on Mars (2007) and its sequel Ashes to Ashes (2009) used locations like Brooksbottom Tunnel, while Coronation Street (2010) saw Roy and Hayley Cropper travelling to their wedding aboard the line.

The railway has also welcomed film crews for documentaries, music videos, and streaming content. Paddington 2 (2017) featured one of the line’s steam locomotives, and The Stranger (2020), Ridley Road (2021), and Sherwood (2021) brought the ELR to new audiences.

Even as recently as 2024 and 2025, the ELR remains a filming hotspot, with scenes for Responder Series 2, Film Club, and Talamasca making use of its unique heritage setting.

Key Productions on the ELR

• Let Him Have It (1991) – Historical drama starring Tom Courtenay

• Vincent (2005) – Crime series with Ray Winstone and Suranne Jones

• Life on Mars (2007) – Iconic armed robbery scene at Brooksbottom Tunnel

• Coronation Street (2010) – Roy and Hayley’s wedding journey

• Paddington 2 (2017) – Featured ELR steam locomotive

• The Stranger (2020) – Netflix drama shot at Baron Street Locomotive Works

• Sherwood (2021) – BBC drama filmed between Burrs and Summerseat

• Just Another Rainbow (2024) – Liam Gallagher & John Squire music video at Brooksbottom Tunnel