WELCOME TO OUR PAGE,

THIS STATION IS OPERATED BY MEMBERS OF CHORLEY & DISTRICT A.R.S.

FOR DIRECT QSL PLEASE ENCLOSE STAMPED.A.E. TO OUR QSL MANAGER PAM 2E1HQY, QTHR CURRENT YEARBOOK AND QRZ.COM.

OPERATING FROM THE WEST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY IN HESKETH BANK, NR PRESTON IN LANCASHIRE.

In 1967, six schoolboys who were concerned by the rapid dissapearance of Narrow Gauge railway systems in the area decided to attempt to save some items of interest. A site was located at Hesketh Bank and some equipment acquired and in September 1967 work began on layng the first 150 yards of 2ft gauge track, using redundant rails and a pair of axles on which the first item of rolling stock was constructed. The first two locomotives soon followed, Ruston & Hornsby diesels were purchased from nearby Burscough Brick & Tile works at a modest price of £25 each! The group continued to acquire more items of rolling stock from various nearby industrial sources, and work commenced on the construction of a engine shed and workshop. In 1969 the group were fortunate in acquiring the remains of a steam locomotive, at an auction of equipment following the closure of the Dinorwic Slate Quarries in Llanberis, North Wales. The locomotive a Hunslet Quarry locomotive by the name of 'Irish Mail' was incomplete, having a boiler and several other vital parts missing. However undaunted, the group continued to search for suitable parts to rebuild the locomotive and over the next 10 years acquired or manufactured enough parts to resore Irish Mail back to working order and in 1980 the railway saw its first steam hauled trains in operation. Since those days the Railways collection has expanded and currently consists of some eight steam locomotives on site, although not all in working order at present. In addition the search for additional diesel locomotives and rolling stock items also continued and today the railway boast's a comprehensive collection, The railway is now operated by a charitable trust, staffed by volunteers and you are welcome to visit us or join us every Sunday during the season.

DETAILS ABOUT THE RAILWAY ARE ON THE WEBSITE www.wllr.net

WAB SD 42,

WEBSITE www.cadars.co.uk

CARDS ARE WELCOME FROM SWL'S.

E-QSL'S{AG} ARE UPLOADED AFTER THE WEEKEND.

2012 IS THE 45TH ANIVERSARY OF THE OPENING UP OF THE WLLR, AND WE HOPE TO BE ON AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE,