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Location notes
Lancashire (or Technically just into Greater Manchester)
Irwell Vale is between Rawtenstall (the northern most point of the ELR) and Ramsbottom (the mid point on the ELR) trains take about 5 minutes to reach there from Rawtenstall (Southbound) or Ramsbottom (Northbound).
Irwell Vale is between Rawtenstall (the northern most point of the ELR) and Ramsbottom (the mid point on the ELR) trains take about 5 minutes to reach there from Rawtenstall (Southbound) or Ramsbottom (Northbound).
Railway type and traffic
The East Lancashire Railway is a Heritage line. Most traffic is confined to Saturday and Sunday although the line does operate a summer timetable which includes running on some weekdays. For timetable and special events details look at the ELR Website.
Environment
Irwell Vale is a picturesque village with a Station (or halt to be specific). The enhabitants are used to Railway enthusiasts with cameras and suchlike but should also be treated with respect - it’s a quiet village so no tearing through there at breakneck speed to catch a minus 2 connection!
Road directions
From Irwell Vale Station carpark turn left and left again and follow the road for about ½ a mile - if you drive there are annoying speed bumps. There are large houses to your left and the river to your right. Before the road crosses the river the road widens and you can park there. On the railway / houses side of the river bridge there is a small gate onto a path that follows the river. Follow this for probably ¼ mile or so where the path splits, one going under the railway, one climbing above on above the railway and up onto the disused Accrington line trackbed which is walkable all the way to Strongstry (1 mile from Stubbins). It can be muddy so take care!
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
ELR, Irwell Vale South map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
ELR, Irwell Vale South map co-ordinates
Parking
See road directions, but if you have time it is only about a 10 minute walk (just consider that if you are photographing a Southbound (To Bury) train you might have to walk swifly back to the station if you plan to film the next Northbound (To Rawtenstall) train – You have about 15-20 minutes when a 50 minute timetable is in operation.
Public transport
Amenities
There is a tea room in the village open on Summer weekends but I’m not sure where it is (it may well be in the church which hosts the Irwell Vale Photographers’ slideshows). No other shops or amenities so take some supplies with you!
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
ELR, Irwell Vale South
Streetmap links
ELR, Irwell Vale South general view map
ELR, Irwell Vale South close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
ELR, Irwell Vale South
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
ELR, Irwell Vale South
Googly map
ELR, Irwell Vale South general view map
ELR, Irwell Vale South close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
ELR, Irwell Vale South
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Photographic notes
This is a good location for photographing or videoing Southbound (to Bury) trains as at Irwell Vale station they are preparing to stop and therefore not under power. If you cross under the Railway you can climb up onto the hillside and get an impressive long shot of the train in the station - good for video. Northbound (To Rawtenstall) trains are best seen at Irwell Vale Station.
Some good shots are possible from the trackside at the south (Bury) end of the station (see photo of 40135 & 40145 below) - if you’re going to go trackside wear high visibility clothing, keep your wits about you and acknowledge the train.
Accessing trackside is technically trespass and therefore done at your own risk. Neither Trainspots or the author accept responsibility for your actions or the consequences of them.
Some good shots are possible from the trackside at the south (Bury) end of the station (see photo of 40135 & 40145 below) - if you’re going to go trackside wear high visibility clothing, keep your wits about you and acknowledge the train.
Accessing trackside is technically trespass and therefore done at your own risk. Neither Trainspots or the author accept responsibility for your actions or the consequences of them.
Links to photographs at this location
The BR Diesel Web
Rail-net - ELR EE Event
General views - All photographs © Andy Slater unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
