Ribble RE on Rossendale heritage link

Ex-Ribble RE 366 is stretching its legs two days a week in the Rossendale valley on loan to Classic Bus North West. Two routes are being operated to link the Rawtenstall terminus of the East Lancs Railway with attractions such as the Russian Tea Rooms in Bacup and the Helmshore Textile Museum. It will run throughout the summer holidays on Thursdays and Sundays thanks to a European grant.

On Thursdays, the Rossendale Tour Buzz travels east taking in Rawtenstall, Lamberts Mill Shop, The Boo at Waterfoot, Lee Quarry, the Russian Tea Room in Bacup and the Fudge Village in Whitworth.

The bus will cover the west on Sundays taking visitors to the Weavers Cottage, Lamberts Mill Shop, Rossendale Museum, Helmshore for the farmers' market on the first Sunday of the month, Musbury Fabrics Mill Shop and the Helmshore Textile Museum, Winfield's and Haslingden for the Halo.

Tickets cost £2 for adults, £1 for children under 16 while a family ticket costs £5. Visit www.rossendaletourbuzz.com for timetable and attractions listing.

OMO 8 restoration progresses

Restoration work on OMO car 8 is progressing at our Brinwell Road depot. The interior window mouldings have all been rubbed down and repainted cream in the last few weeks. This has allowed the green rexine-covered side panelling to be refitted, which in turn will now facilitate the refitting of the seat frames. A start has also been made on refitting the interior lighting, much of which had been cannibalised whilst in store from 1992.