Not all those who wander are lost
Date published 22 February, 2019
Steaming out of Bury
The East Lancashire Railway Line is, as you will have swiftly spotted, a heritage railway line. They are all the same, though, right? Not if you like your steam trains they are not!
But like most lines you can combine a bit of nostalgic indulgence with some exploring. You can escape the busy streets of Bury, meander through some very green Lancashire scenery, and end up in Rawtenstall at the other end of the line. There are other great places to stop on the way, too, and that will be one of your challenges, because this line opens up at least a whole day, probably two, of wandering around places you won't normally visit.
Rawtenstall has cobbled streets, some nice buildings and a market. Make sure you get to the market. Like all markets, it has stuff for sale that you need. Right now, you cannot think of what that stuff is, but go to this market and you will have a full bag of it. At the station at Rawtenstall there is a bar, too, that sells some decent beer (other beverages are available). If it's sunny you get to sit on the platform. Avoid the seat right next to the end of the platform - when the engine steams up you will get your face steam cleaned.
You see, heritage lines like this do what wandering is all about. They slow you down. They drop you in places you were not planning to be, and with enough time to wander, explore and to notice. You learn more, and you see more, and you enjoy more.
I hope you indulge in some time with the East Lancashire Railway Line. I hope you amble around Rawtenstall, and also the other places along the line. I hope you visit the Bury Transport Museum, too.
Be prepared to really enjoy the experience.
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