LYR / LNWR Merger Centenary Weekend

Join us at the East Lancs Railway as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the merger of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the LNWR. We will have at least three 100+ year old locomotives in steam, including the newly restored Pug-19.

The first railway modernisation plan in 1922 brought together the LNWR (London and North Western Railway – known as The Premier Line) based in Crewe, and the Manchester-based LYR (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway – known as The Business Line) on 1st January 1922.

Twelve months later, on 1st January 1923, a further merger was forced on them by legislation to join the Midland Railway and three Scottish Railway Companies which effectively brought to an end the progressive intentions of 1922.

The merger brought together LNWR’s world class traffic and train management experience, with the steam locomotive advanced designs and electrification expertise of the LYR, to become a single modern railway company.

Prior to 1922, the LNWR and LYR were the joint owners of several lines, principally forming part of the West Coast Mainline to Scotland between Euxton Junction (between Wigan and Preston) and the lines on the Fylde to Blackpool and Fleetwood. From 1844 to 1885 they had shared ownership of Manchester Victoria station, but the increase in traffic caused the LNWR to build its own station which was adjacent to Victoria – Manchester Exchange. Huddersfield was another jointly owned station.

Through carriages to and from London Euston serving LYR stations such as Rochdale, Colne, Blackburn, Bolton, Halifax and Bradford were attached to or detached from LNWR express trains at Stockport. All in all the two Companies enjoyed a harmonious relationship and from 1 Jan 1922 adopted the LNWR name unchanged.

Climb aboard and ride all weekend long behind our fleet of sensational steam engines – including our L&Y locomotives and the newly restored Pug 19 and LNWR Coal Tank 1054. The fleet line-up is currently as follows – all locomotives subject to availability:

Choose a one or two day rover and ride as often as you like