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Monday 3 Aug 2026

East Lancashire heritage railway donated modern equipment to help secure its future

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Staff and volunteers at the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) are set to benefit from a raft of tools and equipment delivered through an exciting new partnership with Network Rail.

Through a policy of reusing and recycling, redundant track pieces, along with tools, equipment, trolleys and a large piece of machinery used to help lay down the track, have all now been handed over to the heritage railway by Network Rail teams.

The ELR - a not-for-profit charity - is a community-centred organisation which is mostly staffed by a hard-working team of volunteers, and the new tools will allow them to repair any faults on their railway and respond to problems more quickly.

It comes after Network Rail staff teamed up with the heritage railway in a new partnership. The deal allows railway materials that are no longer needed on the national rail network - such as rail, sleepers and equipment - to be reused safely on heritage lines, helping to keep historic trains running while reducing waste and costs.

The ELR welcomes thousands of visitors each year, including community and school groups, and this partnership means the heritage track and stations will continue to run smoothly, with more support than ever.

In return, the ELR will provide facilities and opportunities that allow Network Rail to showcase the railway’s past, present and future in an authentic heritage setting, helping to bring rail history and careers to life for people across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Clare Waller, Network Rail's Manchester area director, said: "Our partnership with the East Lancashire Railway is great for both parties. It means our staff get to support an amazing cause and some of our surplus pieces of equipment can have a new life.

"We're really proud to be working with the team at the ELR and helping them to delight passengers and visitors."

Mike Kelly, East Lancashire Railway chairman, said: “We are delighted to be part of such a unique partnership based on mutual respect and desire to help each other out. This partnership is voluntary and it's a vote of confidence and support to the ELR from a great bunch of dedicated professionals.

"Since the partnership was launched a few months ago, we have enjoyed a very close working relationship. Both organisations have key transport roles, and I always say Network Rail looks after the future and the ELR preserve Manchester and Lancashire’s proud industrial transport heritage.”

For more information, visit - The East Lancashire Railway website.