| Walk: | Steam Train ride to Rawtenstall, and return along the River Irwell and Sculpture Trail. | ||
| Start Point: | East Lancashire Railway Car Park, Bury. | Grid Reference: | SD 802 107 |
| Distance: | 10 miles | Ascent: | 600 feet |
| Time: | Train 40 minutes, Walk 5.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | Glorious sunshine | ||
| Comments: | We caught the 9.50 train out of Bury to
Rawtenstall, via Summerseat, Ramsbottom & Irwell Vale, and enjoyed
old memories with the sight and sounds and smells of a real steam
train. At Rawtenstall we took time for photos as they moved the
engine to the other end of the train for the return journey. We were
to see the trains at several points along the route of our walk. For a walk so close to North Manchester in what was an industrial river valley, it is a welcome surprise to find that it is such pleasant and peaceful countryside. The River Irwell itself has recovered from being an industrial drain to a clear and vibrant waterway. The route soon picks up the Irwell which we followed to Irwell Vale, on to Chatterton near Stubbins, past Ramsbottom and Nuttall Park, over the tunnels, before dropping into Brockbottoms. After passing Summerseat station it’s on to Burrs Country Park. Once an industrial mill area, but now a popular leisure facility. It is about 1 mile into Bury with a pleasant grassy corridor taking us back to the station |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Bury station - it's going the wrong way Bill
Ours is on the left
En route to Rawtenstall
Arrived . . .
at Rawtenstall
Our train returns
Along the River Irwell
Near Irwell Vale
Crossing bridge near Lumb
Group's in the picture . . .
and is the picture
Chatterton
Lunch stop near Ramsbottom
Locals enjoy the river
Tranquil scene near Burrs
Duke of Gloucester steams by . . .
with Pullman Service
Approaching Burrs Country Park
Sculpture - 'Stone Cycle' at Burrs
Burrs, so close to North Manchester