East Lancashire Railway - (Irwell Vale Station)
WHERE
Bury
What it’s like
A small, quiet station on the East Lancashire Railway where you board heritage steam or diesel trains and wander the sculpture trail alongside the Irwell.
Irwell Vale is one of the smaller stops on the line, and that's really its charm. You get on a proper steam or diesel locomotive here, and the ride itself is the main event rather than a means to an end. Once you're off the train there's the Irwell Sculpture Trail right by the station, which gives you somewhere to stretch legs between trains without having to drive anywhere else.
If your kids are into engines and carriages rather than rides and slides, this is the sort of day that holds their attention properly. The Bury Transport Museum is part of the wider trip too, so if you're doing the line as a day out rather than just one leg, there's more to look at than just the scenery. On-board buffets run on most trains, and if you end up at Bury or Rawtenstall there are proper pubs, the Trackside bar and Buffer Stops among them, plus a café at Rawtenstall doing sandwiches and cake.
Parking at Irwell Vale itself is a small car park, so don't expect acres of space if you're driving straight there rather than joining further down the line. Wheelchair users can stay in their chair in an adapted compartment on the trains, and the station has a gradual ramp, though it's only rated to 250kg and they do ask you to get in touch beforehand so they can sort it properly. Dogs are welcome generally, though guide dogs need mentioning at the time of booking rather than turning up and hoping.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Small car park at Irwell Vale Station
- Food
- On-board buffets on most trains
- Wheelchairs
- Irwell Vale station accessible with gradual ramp
- Dogs
- Guide dogs can be accommodated but must be mentioned during booking
- The car park at Irwell Vale itself is small, so arrive with that in mind if driving straight there
- On-board buffets run on most trains rather than every service
- The Irwell Sculpture Trail is right by the station, handy for a stretch between trains
- Wheelchair users should contact the railway in advance to arrange the adapted compartment
Plan your visit
Is there parking at Irwell Vale Station?
There's a small car park at the station itself, so it's not huge if you're driving straight there rather than joining the line elsewhere.
Can we get food there?
Most trains run an on-board buffet, and there are platform cafes at the bigger stations. Rawtenstall has a cafe with sandwiches, pies and cakes, and there are pubs at Bury and Rawtenstall too, including the Trackside bar and Buffer Stops.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Irwell Vale has a gradual ramp and full wheelchair users can stay in their chair in an adapted train compartment. The ramps have a 250kg weight limit, so it's worth getting in touch in advance to sort access.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are generally welcome. Guide dogs can be accommodated but need to be mentioned when you book.
What else is there to do besides the train ride?
The Irwell Sculpture Trail runs right by the station, and the Bury Transport Museum is part of the wider day out if you're travelling the line.
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