Pete Waterman helps launch the East Lancashire Railway's Rail Ale Trail!

20th June 2011

Categories: Modern History News

Pete Waterman helps launch ELR’s Rail Ale Trail with a good pint of local ale!

Kick-starting East Lancashire Railway’s first Rail Ale Trail season, Pete Waterman, music guru and President of the East Lancashire Railway was joined by Paul Simpson, Chief Executive of Visit Manchester to support the launch of the brand new project. Held at Bury Station on Friday 10^th June, the event saw beer delivery by steam train from Phoenix Brewery (Heywood) and Irwell Works Brewery (Ramsbottom), Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band playing live on the platform and a guided rail ale tour to Ramsbottom. 

The Rail Ale Trail invites visitors to unlock some of the best kept pub secrets along the railway’s 12-mile route, find UK’s last temperance bar, discover hidden gems, hear good stories and hilarious accounts and of course sampling some outstanding local ales. Whether local or new to the area, the Rail Ale Trail takes visitors off the beaten track to uncover new places.

Andy Morris, General Manager, said:

“There’s always been a great connection between steam, railways and good ale and I think the Rail Ale Trail is yet another example of the marriage of these three great British traditions. The East Lancs Railway nestles in a part of the country where brewing has a long and illustrious past, having helped slake the thirst’s of the working man for many a year so the Rail Ale Trail is helping to celebrate that history and give our visitors an interesting insight into local life”

Whether you are an ale lover, cider aficionado or Cream Soda supporter, the handy A5 Rail Ale guide joins the dots from station to station and will delight even the toughest ale critic (and tee-totaller). The trail can be started and finished at any station and is available all year around (please check ELR running services).

For a more in-depth tour with plenty of fun to be had, ELR is also offering guided Rail Ale Tours with a professionally qualified tour guide on selected weekends throughout the year. Places are limited and pre-booking is essential. The tours cost £19.50 per person and include a return trip on the East Lancashire Railway, a four-hour guided tour by a qualified tour guide and a bottle of ELR ale.

The first guided tours start on Father’s Day with two tours running on the 19^th June: 11.30am to Ramsbottom and 12pm to Summerseat.

To enquire about forthcoming tours, book your place on one of the tours or to request your free Rail Ale Trail guide please contact East Lancashire Railway on 0161 764 7790 (lines open daily 10am – 4pm).