The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has temporarily suspended its steam locomotive operations due to the heightened risk of lineside fires during the current prolonged dry conditions.
The charity, which operates the 12-mile heritage line from Heywood in Greater Manchester to Rawtenstall in Lancashire, announced the decision in a statement issued this morning. The route, which first opened in the 1840s and closed to regular passenger traffic in 1972, was revived and reopened as a tourist attraction in 1987. It stops at seven scenic stations, including Burrs Country Park, Summerseat, and Ramsbottom.
Diesel services continue
Despite the suspension, scheduled services will continue to run using heritage diesel locomotives, so visitors can still enjoy a journey along the railway as planned. The statement said the decision was taken in conjunction with the Fire and Rescue Service as a precaution to protect passengers, staff, volunteers, neighbouring communities, and the surrounding countryside.
Existing tickets remain valid, and no action is required from customers. The only change will be the type of locomotive operating the service.
Safety remains priority
The charity acknowledged that some visitors may be disappointed, but stressed that safety must remain the priority. Steam services will resume as soon as conditions improve sufficiently for safe operation.
The news comes as forecasters warn that temperatures could reach 36C or above this week, with potential disruption to rail services and power networks. The Met Office is considering issuing rare amber or red extreme heat warnings. Swathes of the UK are bracing for a fifth heatwave of the summer, following two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths, and two further heatwaves in July that fuelled drought and wildfires.
