East Lancashire Railway (1844–1859)

The East Lancashire Railway operated from 1844 to 1859 in the historic county of Lancashire, England. It began as a railway from Clifton via Bury to Rawtenstall, and during its short life grew into a complex network of lines connecting towns and cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Salford, Preston, Burnley and Blackburn.

This article is about the original railway of that name. For the heritage railway, see East Lancashire Railway.

East Lancashire Railway
IndustryRailway company
Founded24 July 1845
Defunct13 May 1859
FateAmalgamation
SuccessorLancashire and Yorkshire Railway
HeadquartersLancashire
Key people
John Shae Perring (resident engineer)

During a period of rapid growth the company acquired several of its competitors, including the Blackburn and Preston Railway, which it purchased to gain access to Preston. It faced competition from companies such as the North Union Railway, and was involved in a notable stand-off in 1849 with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. Following several years of discussions, the East Lancashire Railway was in 1859 amalgamated with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. Parts of the network remain in use today, and a section of the original line between Bury and Rawtenstall is now operated as a heritage railway.

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