THE FOOTBALLERS AND THE MAJOR

Right, it's time to leave Bury behind and join the East Lancs Railway for the journey north. 20042 stops obligingly outside the transport museum.

Now we're passing Burrs behind preserved D5500.

Another preserved diesel, Hymek D7076, crosses the viaduct at Summerseat.

There's a decent pub in Summerseat, the Footballers Inn.

We leave the ELR behind for a short while and take a walk westwards to the next valley and Holcolmbe Brook, where we find trolleybus No. 2 from Ramsbottom, outside the Hare & Hounds.

Here's a more modern view of the Hare & Hounds.Since then, it's become a Greene King house.

So, it's back to the ELR, but in the days when it was part of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway. Here's the level crossing in Ramsbottom.

The signal box was replaced by the LMS. This is Bridge Street in the 1930s.

Coming forward to 1990, the box is still in operation, in the hands of the ELR.

'Nunney Castle' arrives at Ramsbottom with a 'Santa Special' in 1992.

Three more preserved locos at Ramsbottom, ELR.

Here's St Andrew's church and Nuttall Lane in Ramsbottom.

Ramsbottom Urban District Council used to run trolleybuses, such as this one in the town centre.

Firstbus is now the main operator.

The vehicles of Rossendale Transport could also be seen.

This 'heritage' Bristol bus was found outside Ramsbottom station

Close to the station is the Royal Oak, a Thwaite's house (It's since been renamed 'The Oaks').

The Major is one of the best pubs in town.

The Irwell Works Brewery occupies and old building in Ramsbottom. There's a really good bar upstairs.

We now head due north to the small town of Haslingden, which lost its trams in 1930. Two scenes on the last day as buses took over.

Another early Haslingden bus.

Whatpub describes the Griffin Inn, Haslingden, as a 'jewel in the crown'. I have no reason to argue with that. It has a brewery in the cellar.

It's time to move on now, see you in the next post. Meanwhile, follow the route here.