|
For the gala we will also be playing host to a visiting Autocoach which will be coupled to 6430 during the event. Autotrains will run exclusively between Bury and Heywood operating an intense service to connect with a bus service to Castleton and trains from Bury to Rawtenstall. Travel in these will be included in the standard gala admission ticket.
“The GWR Autocoach (or auto-trailer) is a type of coach that was used by the Great Western Railway for push-pull trains powered by a steam locomotive. The distinguishing design feature of an autocoach is the driving cab at one end, allowing the driver to control the train without needing to be located in the cab of the steam locomotive. This eliminates the need to run the engine round to the other end of the coach at the end of each journey.”
Saturday & Sunday
At around 9:00am the first train will leave for Rawtenstall which heralds the commencement of the main event. Throughout the day an intense passenger service will connect Bury with Rawtenstall, with the Bury to Heywood section being for the exclusive use of the visiting Autotrains. You will be able to swap and change trains with your unlimited rover travel tickets, so don’t worry, you will be able to catch a ride behind every steam engine if you wish.
A freight train will also be out on the line between Bury and Ramsbottom with various engines taking their turns on this throughout the event, furthermore we will also be making sure our engines get around the railway so some will combine forces to double head and even bank some trains!
During your visit why not take time out to watch the goings on in around Bury as loco motive swaps take place as well as seeing ‘May’ up close and personal in the museum yard. Bury Transport Museum will become a mini-festival of steam in its own right as a miniature railway, traction engines and other steam aged vehicles will be on display throughout the weekend.
|