The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has been welcoming visitors back to their line, following reopening on Saturday 1st of May 2021.

This date saw the first steam and diesel trains operate at weekends on the heritage line, with COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns forcing the railway to stay closed for the beginning of 2021.

Now, from June, services will be expanded to include trains five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday.

A number of COVID-19 safety measures are in place across the railway to reduce risk for staff, volunteers and passengers while visiting the line. These include:

1. NHS Track and Trace
2. Temperature Checks
3. One-way system at stations
4. Regularly cleaning, especially of high contact and volume areas
5. Reduce capacity of trains to allow social distancing

All these measures have been recognised with the Visit England ‘We’re Good to Go’ Charter Mark to acknowledge ELR is meeting all government and public health Covid-19 requirements. Passenger feedback has been extremely positive, with many visitors missing their trips along the railway in the past year.

Anyone considering or wanting to plan their visit, full details regarding services, times can be found on the East Lancashire Railway’s website here.

For more information or to support the East Lancashire Railway, please visit their website here.

ELR Chairman Mike Kelly says: “The past twelve months have been the most challenging in the railway’s history as we fought every twist and turn for the railway’s survival.

“But, as we look to the future – seeing the railway coming back to life again, with passengers travelling on the trains, makes all the hard work and sacrifices from everyone involved so worthwhile.”

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