East Lancs Railway’s historic Bury depot in line for revamp

Plans to restore and extend the grade two-listed Buckley Wells Locomotive Works have been approved, a project designed to facilitate the growth of the heritage railway attraction. 

Bury Council has signed off proposals from East Lancashire Railway Trust to fully refurbish the Buckley Wells Locomotive Works’ Carriage Shed building, where the ELR’s steam and diesel locomotives are restored and maintained. 

The Victorian building, located on a 22-acre site off Baron Street, is one of the oldest facilities of its type in Europe, according to ELR. 

The second part of the project features the creation of a new locomotive running shed and heavy maintenance workshop. This will be located on the site of the original Buckley Wells engine shed that was demolished by British Rail in the 1970s.  

The new-build element of the proposals will feature classrooms and workshop areas as well as a canteen and other ancillary facilities. 

A second new-build structure will be used to house, restore and repair the ELR’s fleet of historic railway coaches. 

The proposals are designed to “secure a managed expansion and enhancement of the operational, maintenance and restoration capacity of the site to facilitate the further managed growth of the East Lancashire Railway as a premier visitor and heritage attraction on a long-term sustainable basis”, ELR said. 

Equilibrium Architects advised ELR on the proposals. 

East Lancashire Railway is a 12-mile heritage line that has seven stations and runs between Heywood in Rochdale and Rawtenstall in Lancashire.