Pete Waterman offers model railway tour in silent auction to help East Lancs Railway

Pete Waterman (second right) at the 175th anniversary celebration of the branch line from Castleton to Heywood opening in 2016

Record producer and avid train enthusiast Pete Waterman has offered a guided tour of his model railway in a bid to help the East Lancashire Railway, which runs between Heywood and Rawtenstall.

The opportunity to view and operate the extensive model has been offered in an online silent auction to raise £10,000 for the heritage railway, which was forced to close in March due to the Covid-29 pandemic.

In 2003 Pete Waterman, who is also president of the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society, decided to create what is probably now the largest mainline O gauge model railway in the UK.

The layout depicts Leamington Spa in the late 1950s/very early 1960s.

East Lancashire Railway is a long-standing favourite for children and adults alike, running a host of events all year round including a May Day 1940s weekend, murder mysteries, ale trails and the Santa Special Christmas trains - as well as playing host to the iconic locomotive The Flying Scotsman regularly. 

As a result of the closure in March, the registered charity (number: 1186648) launched an appeal, asking the public to continue to donate and ‘pay it forward’ to help reach the target of £200,000 and allow people to enjoy the railway at a later date.

Speaking in April, Councillor Billy Sheerin, Mayor of Rochdale, said: "It’s vital that we protect our heritage railway in these frightening times. The ELR will always have my full support because of the joy it has brought to so many people over the years and this must continue.”

The auction lots can be viewed at:

• www.32auctions.com/elr