Ramsbottom's railway history book published by local author

Nigel Jepson, who has written a series of local history books, will be signing copies of his latest launch "The Railway Town of Ramsbottom: Past and Present".

The former Kearsley Academy head will be at the Drinc Café on Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, on Saturday, November 25, from 4pm until 5pm for the launch event.

Talking about his latest publication, he said: “It began in the 1840s after a group of local businessmen met in a pub in Bury to set up a company which became known as the East Lancashire Railway.

“There were various ups and downs in the process of building the line connecting Ramsbottom with Bury and Rawtenstall but the arrival of it brought immense benefits as far as local industry and the town’s growing population were concerned.

“However, the ‘Beeching Cuts’ of the 1960s had telling consequences for the existing East Lancashire rail network.

“Although the demolition of Ramsbottom Station in the early 70s seemed a nail in the coffin for its railway town status, a brave campaign, spearheaded by the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society (ELRPS) was already underway aimed at re-opening the Bury-Ramsbottom line.

“Against the odds, victory for this brave band of rail enthusiasts came about in 1987 and marked by the reopening of a heritage line between Bury and Ramsbottom.”

Nigel Jepson outside the shop in Ramsbottom where Peter Murray McDouall lived

Nigel’s local history series currently includes: The History of Ramsbottom Football Club (2020); Ramsbottom’s Revolutionary Doctor: The Life and Times of Peter Murray McDouall (2021) and The History of Ramsbottom Cricket Club (2022).

‘Come on You Rams’ book with author Nigel Jepson

In his latest book, first hand accounts are used to highlight the significant impact railways have had on people’s lives up to the present day.

The book is priced at £10 and Nigel will be on hand to sign copies during the weekend launch.