TRAIN staff past and present were all aboard the East Lancashire Railway to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

It was 30 years ago yesterday the railway launched in its current form and ran its first passenger service from Bury Bolton Street Station to Ramsbottom.

Richard Law, from Haslingden, is one of the directors at East Lancashire Railway and first started working for the service before its relaunch in 1970.

The East Lancashire line originally opened back in 1846.

The 69-year-old said a lot has changed over the years but the railway continues to play an important role in the area.

Mr Law said: "When I first started it was based very much on friendships, everyone was friends with each other.

"Everyone was helping out and doing everything.

"It's more of an extended family these days, there's about 700 of us working.

"I'm very satisfied, I'm very pleased with has been achieved by volunteers over the years."

To mark the occasion a pioneers lunch was held for the founding members of the society to the celebrate the occasion, featuring tea and sandwiches.

Around 50 members attended as a plaque was also unveiled at Ramsbottom Station to mark the anniversary.

The train used was the same Gothenburg locomotive that pulled the carriages on the opening day 30 years ago.

Mr Law said: "The service is still going very well, it's the most popular tourist attraction in Rossendale.

"We're looking forward to a bright future, it's about evolving.

"We're looking at new projects such as rebuilding Rawtenstall railway station to allow more trains."

This was the second of two events held after a 30th anniversary working members train ride was held on Saturday to celebrate the efforts of volunteers over the years.

East Lancashire Railway Chairman, Mike Kelly, said: “We are proud of what we have achieved over the past thirty years.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the past three decades, visitors, staff, local authorities and of course our wonderful volunteers and the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society.

"Here’s to the next thirty."