Heywood 175th Anniversary
STORM were well represented at the celebration of the anniversary of 175 years since the branch line from Castleton to Heywood was opened in 1841, at the East Lancs Heywood Station.
The East Lancashire railway president Pete Waterman spoke of his pride in British steam railway expertise to the school children from 3 Heywood schools and dignitaries, including the Mayor of Rochdale and invited guests, and told the children that “Steam railways will always be with us”.
Event organiser Keith Whitmore also spoke of the day, hopefully soon to come, when the ELR arrives at its own station in Castleton, Here Here echoed the audience.
The whole party boarded a special train, with West Country class pacific steam locomotive 34092 ‘City of Wells for a return journey to Bury, which all the children, and guests, enjoyed greatly.