Summer Diesel Gala
2026-07-02 00:00 - 2026-07-05 23:59 (Europe/London) | East Lancashire Railway, East Lancashire Railway Station, 23A Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EL, United Kingdom
Diesel powered fun in the sun!

Updated 6/3/2026

See and ride behind your favourite engines from the ELR home fleet, with an intensive all diesel timetable for three whole days. This is one of the most popular annual enthusiast events of the year, so don’t miss out.

We’re delighted to announce that 58023 will be visiting the East Lancs Railway for the Summer Diesel Gala!

Appearing courtesy of Edward Stevenson, the Class 58 will be the first of its class to visit the ELR. Although it’s worth noting that Class 58’s were often seen in the Castleton area working steel trains so they’re no strangers to us.

Tickets and timetables available soon.

Dates

2 – 5 July

Timetables

Timetable available nearer the event.

Day out with Thomas
2026-07-18 00:00 - 2026-07-19 23:59, 2026-10-03 00:00 - 2026-10-04 23:59
2 – 4 May, 18 – 19 July, 3 – 4 October 2026

All aboard for a rocking good time!

Day Out With Thomas™: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the beat to the East Lancashire Railway.

Hop onboard a train ride with Thomas, a REAL steam engine, watch the exciting live shows with Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty that’ll have the whole family dancing, join in the Thomas and Friends™ character hunt, have fun with garden games and keep the beat going at the Music Corner packed with music-inspired fun, plus much more! Book tickets for your train ride adventure today to enjoy a whole day out, with all the family!

Wizard Adventure
2026-08-06 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-10-29 00:00 - 2026-10-30 23:59
Grab your wizard robes and get ready for an epic adventure at the Wizard Academy!

9 April, 28 May, 6 August, 29, 30 October 2026

Join the delightfully wacky professors as they reveal the secrets of real magic. Here’s what awaits you during this spellbinding experience.

BOOK NOW

Master the Art of Magic

Learn powerful incantations and perfect your wand-waving skills!

Use your imagination and learn how to soar through the skies on a broomstick.

Discover the proper way to greet mystical creatures.

Magic – there’s nobody that can do magic better than you!

Take care of a real dragon egg – who knows what might hatch?

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Meet the Wizard’s Fantastical Familiars

Felix the Phoenix – Rising in a blaze of glory!

Reggie the Rat – Small but mighty.

Cutie the Cat – This kitty has some serious magic.

Twoo the Owl – Learn how to talk like an owl.

A Snufflewump – What is it? You’ll have to find out!

And if you’re lucky… maybe even a Dragon!

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Get ready for a whirlwind of spells, creatures and magical mayhem, because at Wizard Academy, the impossible is just the beginning!

Food and drink will be available to purchase from our café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station and from the Rawtenstall Buffet.

A £2.50 booking fee is applied per order, not per ticket. This fee is included in the total price shown before checkout. Any optional extras are clearly identified before you complete your purchase

AdultAdult with under 2 on kneeChildBook Now£20.50£20.50£18Book Now

All orders are subject to a Booking Fee of £2.50 (per booking, not per ticket).

Departure Times

It is recommended you arrive 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket.

The Dino Adventure
2026-08-07 00:00 - 23:59
Roar into adventure at Dino Academy!

29 May, 7 August 2026

Grab your explorer hat and get ready for a prehistoric day of dino-sized fun!

Join our eccentric and knowledgeable palaeontologists as they take you on a Jurassic journey packed with thrilling discoveries. Here’s what’s in store!

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Dig into the World of Dinosaurs:

Unearth prehistoric secrets and become a top dino detective!

Learn how to train a raptor (or at least try to!).

Discover what dinosaurs ate – can you guess who was a meat-muncher and who was a leaf lover?

Hatch a dinosaur egg (but be careful – it might bite!).

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All whilst meeting our Prehistoric Stars:

Tina the Triceratops – She loves a good head scratch!

Vernon the Raptor – Fast, fierce and full of surprises.

Bramwell the Brontosaurus – The friendliest giantt!

Trevor the T-Rex – The King of the Dinosaurs!

Franky the Ankylosaurus – Watch out for that tail swing!

Pterri the Pterosaur – Big wings, big beak but a massive heart.

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Get ready for a day of dinosaur discoveries, Jurassic joy and larger-than-life adventures – because at Dino Academy, history comes to life!

Food and drink will be available to purchase from the café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station and from Rawtenstall Buffet.

A £2.50 booking fee is applied per order, not per ticket. This fee is included in the total price shown before checkout. Any optional extras are clearly identified before you complete your purchase

AdultAdult with under 2 on kneeChildBook Now£20.50£20.50£18.00Book Now

Departure Times

It is recommended you arrive 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket.

Pre Event Information

Download Pre-Event Information here.

Wonderland Adventure
2026-08-12 00:00 - 23:59
Step through the looking glass and into a whimsical world of wonder!

27 May, 12 August 2026

Join Alice and her delightfully mad friends for a topsy-turvy day where nothing is quite as it seems. Get ready for curious encounters, magical mayhem, giggles, jiggles and song!

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What’s in Store?

Follow the White rabbit – but hurry, he’s always late!

Dive into the Mad Hatter’s Mind – expect giggles and chaos.

Try to keep up with the Mad March Hare – a hopping bundle of mischief.

Watch out for the Queen of Hearts – Don’t lose your head!

Of course Alice will be there, ready to lead you through Wonderland’s twists and turns.

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Curious Creatures & Magical Moments

Meet the Cheshire Cat – catch him before he vanishes.

Play a round of Royal Croquet – the mallets might be flamingoes.

Solve mind-bending riddles – because in Wonderland, logic is optional!

Who’s that sleeping in the teapot? – Could it be the Dormouse?

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So put on your maddest hat, grab a cup of tea (or three!), and prepare for a wild, wacky and absolutely wonderful adventure!

Food and drink will be available to purchase from our café on Platform ¾ at Bury Bolton Street Station and from the Rawtenstall Buffet.

A £2.50 booking fee is applied per order, not per ticket. This fee is included in the total price shown before checkout. Any optional extras are clearly identified before you complete your purchase

AdultAdult with under 2 on KneeChildBook Now£20.50£20.50£18Book Now

Departure Times

It is recommended you arrive 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket.

Pre Event Information

Download Pre-Event Information here.

Villain Academy
2026-08-13 00:00 - 23:59
Welcome to Villain Academy – Where Mischief Reigns!

8 April, 13 August 2026

Step into the shadows and unleash your inner baddie as you train with the most diabolical, devious and downright dastardly villains! At Villain Academy, rules are meant to be broken, and chaos is highly encouraged.

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What’s in Store?

Master the art of the Evil Laugh – Mwa-ha-ha!

Perfect your dramatic entrance – Because first impressions matter.

Learn how to be a Pirate – Beware, betrayal is everywhere!

Test how Evil you are – Will you rise to ultimate villain status?

Scream! – Can you collect all the screams?

Goldilocks & Friends Teddy Bear Adventure
2026-08-21 00:00 - 23:59
If you go down to the woods today, you’ll be sure of an amazing surprise!

21 August 2026

Join Goldilocks and her furry friends on a cute and cuddly trip to the fairytale forest!

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Bring the Magic of Fairytales and Nursery Rhymes to life!

Goldilocks and her friends will tell tall tales about their adventures.

You’ll be introduced to the cute and cuddly creatures who live in the Forest of Dreams.

Bring your own trusty teddy, plushie pal or delightful doll along for the ride.

This is an adventure for magical toys and playful girls and boys.

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Meet the friends of the forest!

Goldilocks – She’s on a mission with Baby Bear

Red Riding Hood – Has made a new friend: The Little Good Wolf!

Little Bo Peep – Has found her Sheep and wants to say hello!

Old King Cole – He’s a merry old soul indeed!

Plus Mummy Bear and Daddy Bear might come out to say hello too!

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There’s lots of marvellous things to see, they’ll play and sing as long as they please, ’cause that’s the way the Teddy Bears have thir adventure!

Food and drink will be available to purchase from our café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station and from the Rawtenstall Buffet.

A £2.50 booking fee is applied per order, not per ticket. This fee is included in the total price shown before checkout. Any optional extras are clearly identified before you complete your purchase

AdultAdult with under 2 on kneeChildBook Now£20.50£20.50£18.00Book Now

All orders are subject to a Booking Fee of £2.50 (per booking, not per ticket).

Departure Times

It is recommended you arrive 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket.

Peppa Pig
2026-08-22 00:00 - 23:59
The East Lancashire Railway is thrilled to welcome back everyone’s favourite cheeky little piggy.

Come and meet Peppa Pig in the fantastic Bury Transport Museum at intervals on Saturday 22nd August 2026. Just pre-book your general admission ticket and pick a meet & greet slot that suits you.

With no additional cost to general admission, the family fun continues with a cracking fun fair with three rides suitable for toddlers, face painters, craft activities and even a petting farm so that you can meet some farmyard friends.

Complete your day out with a ride aboard one of our heritage trains through the Irwell Valley. Ticket Price includes a ride on any train services on the day of your visit – no need to book separately just pick a time that suits you on the day!

General Admission tickets must be purchased online, so don’t miss out.

Please be sure to read through our FAQ’s for additional information on this event

Dates

22 August

A £2.50 booking fee is applied per order, not per ticket. This fee is included in the total price shown before checkout. Any optional extras are clearly identified before you complete your purchase”

Book Now

Important Pre-Event Information

Everything you need to know to make the most out of your visit.

Download Pre-Event Information

Bluey & Bingo 2026
2026-09-12 00:00 - 23:59
Bluey & Bingo 2026

Wackadoo! The excitable sisters from Down Under are coming to visit us here at the Bury Transport Museum!

See Bluey and Bingo at Bury Transport Museum at intervals on Saturday 12th September 2026. Don’t forget to bring your cameras!

There will also be a fun fair with three rides suitable for toddlers, face painters, petting zoo and craft activities for you and the family to enjoy, all included in the general admission ticket price.

Complete your day out with a ride aboard one of our heritage steam or diesel trains through the Irwell valley. Ticket Price includes a ride on any train services on the day of your visit – just pick the time that suits you!

General admission tickets must be purchased online, so don’t miss out.

Dates

12 September

A £2.50 booking fee is applied per order, not per ticket. This fee is included in the total price shown before checkout. Any optional extras are clearly identified before you complete your purchase”

Book Now

Pre-event Information

Download all of the information you need to know before attending the event below.

Download Pre-Event Information

Autumn Diesel Gala
2026-09-18 00:00 - 2026-09-19 23:59
This Autumn, we’re hosting an all-diesel ‘Traction and Track extravaganza’!

Join us for another celebration of all things diesel powered!

Iconic locomotives, shunters and railcars from our highly regarded home fleet will also be running.

The event will see diesel services running an intensive passenger timetable throughout.

All trains and workings are subject to availability.

Autumn Diesel Gala Dates

18 – 19 September 2026

Tickets available soon.

Timetables

Timetables available nearer the event.

I

Autumn Steam Gala
2026-10-16 00:00 - 2026-10-18 23:59
It’s the last large scale steam event of the year, so make sure to mark it in your calendar, 16 – 18 October!

Climb aboard for a weekend of steam powered glory with the East Lancashire Railway’s popular Autumn Steam Gala from 16 – 18 October. This is your chance to ride up and down the line behind the railway’s incredible home fleet, as well as potential special guests.

The weekend will see an intensive, all steam timetable and all the usual bells and whistles of an ELR gala.

Dates

16 – 18 October 2026

Tickets available soon.

Timetable

Timetable available nearer the event.

Diesel Multiple Unit Event
2026-11-14 00:00 - 2026-11-15 23:59
Good things come in small packages!

We are pleased to present a two day Autumnal event with our Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) Event – Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November 2026!

Our scenic railcars and units will be racking up the miles along the ELR over the two days with an intensive timetable.

Dates

7 – 8 November 2026

Tickets available soon

Timetable

Timetable available nearer the event.
