EAST Lancashire Railway has announced a special weekend gala to mark 45 years since the last steam train journey in Britain.

The event will see eight guest locomotives visit the railway on July 27 and 28 to coincide with the annual transport collectors’ and modellers’ fairs.

Backed by Steam Railway magazine, the End of Steam Festival will showcase a re-enactment of the legendary 1T57 special train’s final journey, complete with its only two remaining coaches.

Andy Morris, general manager of the railway, which runs from Bury to Rawtenstall through Ramsbottom, Summerseat and Irwell Vale, said it was important to remember railway heritage.

He said: “There are few events in the history of the railways in Britain that evoke such memories as the last day of proper steam on British railways.

“The date of August 11, 1968, drew a line under the reign of steam as the prime mover of the nation.

“The ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’, as the fare was called, for the time a hefty price, represented the last chance for those with a passion for steam haulage of trains on British railways to ride on it.

“Whilst we know we can’t come anywhere near properly recreating those scenes, we want to do our best in reminding everyone of what a spectacle 1T57 was.”

The Britannia Pacific class 70013, Oliver Cromwell, on loan from the National Railway Museum, is among other headline attractions.

The ELR is hoping to go one better than previous re-runs by assembling the correct livery, formation and colours of the 1T57 special.

Organisers said the one-off event promised to be ‘the ultimate celebration of British Railway steam’s demise’.

Mr Morris added: “With 70013 due for overhaul before the 50th anniversary comes around, this might be the last chance for some time to re-enact that sad day that many still remember.”