Acting General Manager Lee Kenny has been chosen as the new permanent General Manager for the East Lancashire Railway.

Lee has been the Acting General Manager for eight months and the railway says he has impressed during this time.

The former diesel traction engineering fitter was a regular sight in the traction and rolling stock department before becoming head of the department 12 years ago and originally joined the ELR aged just 12.

Lee said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity to lead the ELR as the General Manager and thank the board for their support in my appointment.

“I started at the railway at the age of 12 and have been part of the organisation for over three decades as a volunteer and employee.

“I have watched the railway grow from its infancy in the late 1980s to 2023 to the major tourist attraction it is today.

“I have now been given the opportunity to take the ELR forward for many years to come.

“I look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated and very much valued team of volunteers and staff and continue to explore ways we can improve and better support them.

“Like many other heritage railways across the country, we face considerable challenges in sustainability, fundraising, improving safety, embracing equality, diversity and inclusion into our organisation and continue to grow our community and business partnerships.

“These will be very much our focus in the short to medium term.”

Chair of the ELR, Mike Kelly, said: “Lee stepped into the role last May as Acting General Manager at a very challenging time for the railway.

“Over those months Lee has shown great leadership and brought stability and successfully managed a number of very important events including our famous Santa Specials.”