EAST Lancashire Railway staff are to undertake a “sponsored pull” of their flagship locomotive next week to signal the start of a major campaign to raise £250,000 for three key projects.

Teams of volunteers and employees plan to drag the LMS “Crab” 2-6-0 No.13065 l108-ton locomotive in an event at Bury’s Bolton Street Station on Tuesday.

It will mark the triple launch of the “Bury Station Canopy” appeal, the “Standard Tank 80097” appeal and the “Coaches for our Future” appeal.

Organisers say this is only the second time in the East Lancashire Railway’s (ELR) illustrious 27-year history that it has made such an appeal to its 4,000 members, as well as the general public, for donations.

The “Canopy Appeal” aims to raise an estimated £90,000 to rebuild a canopy taken from Oldham Mumps station at the Bolton Street Station. The canopy will bring platform two, and the outside seating of the Trackside Bar, under cover.

The “Standard Tank” appeal heralds the end of a 30-year restoration project where an estimated £120,000 is needed to complete the locomotive within the next few months.

The “Coaches for our Future” is designed to strengthen the railway’s existing coaching stock.

Richard Barnett, ELR sales manager, said: “By getting our volunteers directly involved in the process, we are cementing the sense of community that makes the heritage railway industry so unique, as well as securing the future of this vital heirloom of British history.”

The Crab Pull will take place at 1.20pm at the Bury station when a number of speeches and presentations will be given by guest speakers throughout the day from noon onwards.

Members of the public are welcome to watch the fundraising event.

  • To make a donation visit eastlancsrailway.org.uk/supportus/fundraising