Bury Bolton Street Station, East Lancashire Railway — Attraction in Bury

My second visit to ELR and unfortunately we didn’t see the railway at its best. I’ve been watching the weather and being a working volunteer myself was expecting a steam ban. It happened, diesel only two train timetable announced on Thursday.

Although still showed a steam service for ‘dining train’ - so is there a fire risk or not? Is there less likely to be lineside fires because only one was running and not two?

I also thought the dining would be evening. It was afternoon and a wedding charter for an on station wedding today. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Trackside bar was closed - no beer due to a “technical problem”. - I’m wondering, was that technical problem due to the bar equipment and possibly staff serving a bar for the wedding?

Was also informed there was a 1940s event at Haywood, saw 2 vintage buses in the car park, no other evidence of anything 🤷🏼‍♂️

On train both RMBs were closed - despite stewards on the train. I’m starting to think this was Temperance Society meet-up.

So now beer, no food and where I like to make secondary spend happen to bolster the coffers we had to leave the railway for food. Pies and sandwiches were available.

On the positive side all the staff we encountered were delightful, engaging and in some cases a little embarrassed.

Let’s call it a bad day...

We booked the Santa special and it was a good experience. Our little lad loved the ride on the steam train and getting to meet Santa and greeted by cheerful elves and fabulous lights and decoration display. Staff very friendly and good with the children. My only criticism on this it was way way to busy. When walking into the station and trying to see all the decorations and lights that were displayed it was crowded with people and such a chore to fight your way through, especially when you have a 3 year old and your terrified he gets stood on or knocked over. I was desperate for the loo but there was a massive queue so had to wait until the train journey was over, as didn’t have time to go before our journey. I think my advice here is allow plenty of time before your journey especially with having to battle through so many people!! Was also little disappointed we had to share our table with a total stranger from another group (we was a family of three) for the price of the tickets I think they could have let us have our own seats without having to share with someone we didn’t know! In all it was a good experience but probs not something I would book again just solely because of the volume of people that was there and it did take away a bit of the magic for the...

I loved the late 60s preserved station at Bury with wood panelling and old kiosk and cigarette machine. We went over to the museum where we were persuaded to go back and buy a rover ticket which gives you unlimited travel plus museum entry. This turned out not to be very economical and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're spending all day at the railway. We only wanted to go on one trip to Rawtenstall and back. We were a little disappointed that the locomotive wasn't a bigger one. It was, however, chuffing and barking up the hill out of the town, which was great. The journey was pleasant, the seats comfy and the views fabulous. Back at Bury we went back to the museum. They have some good exhibits with workable models to show how steam engines work and things for children, including buses you can go onto. A good mix of simple and detailed, catering for all. The staff were friendly and welcoming. We bought lunch in the shop/cafe and ate on the train but there are plenty of places to buy food and eat. There's also a few shops with souvenirs and second-hand books. Lots to see, and a great few hours spent. Be prepared to spend a while sorting out your parking ticket - you need the app or to use the website. Why won't they do...