The East Lancashire Railway has begun a trial whereby static railway carriages are stabled at Bury and Rawtenstall stations to allow for additional seating as well as providing a warm space to enjoy drinks.

Members of the public attending the pub at Rawtenstall can grab a pint from the Buffer Stops and sit down inside a 20th century railway carriage.

This carriage adds 40 additional seats to the pub.

Following the success of the carriage at Rawtenstall, a carriage has been added to Bury Bolton Street, where pub goers can enjoy a tipple from The Trackside pub. 100 extra seats have been added to the capacity of the 2022 Pub Of The Year for the Bury Area winner.

Chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, Mike Kelly, comments: ““We fully appreciate that sitting outside through the winter season is not possible every day.

So, While the railway is closed in January and February for important track maintenance works, we brought up a couple of vintage carriages ensuring there is an additional welcome place for  for people to enjoy a drink in a unique setting

“We put in extra heating and set the carriages in both platforms where the customer feedback has been a big thumbs up!

“It was the pub staff who had the idea and it has been a joint effort to get it in place, so a big thank you to all our staff and volunteers who have made it possible.”