Acre Meadow

Downs, Moorland in Lancashire Rossendale

England

Acre Meadow

East Lancashire Railway Class 47 Diesel Credit: David Dixon

Acre Meadow, located in Lancashire, England, is a picturesque area renowned for its diverse landscapes, encompassing downs, moorland, and meadows. Spanning over a vast expanse, it offers visitors a unique and immersive experience in the heart of nature.

The downs of Acre Meadow are characterized by their gently rolling hills, covered in a patchwork of lush green grass. The undulating terrain provides visitors with breathtaking panoramic views from various vantage points. It is a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts, offering ample opportunities for leisurely walks and exploration.

The moorland, on the other hand, offers a contrasting landscape. The rugged and wild terrain is blanketed by heather, creating a stunning purple hue during the summer months. Moorland wildlife thrives in this environment, including various bird species, such as curlews and lapwings, which can often be spotted soaring through the skies.

Acre Meadow's meadows are a sight to behold, especially during the spring and summer seasons when the vibrant colors of wildflowers blanket the landscape. These meadows are teeming with life, hosting a plethora of insects, butterflies, and bees, contributing to the area's rich biodiversity.

Visitors to Acre Meadow can enjoy a range of activities, including picnicking, bird watching, and photography. The area is also home to several walking trails, catering to both casual strollers and avid hikers.

Overall, Acre Meadow in Lancashire is a nature lover's paradise, offering an array of landscapes, each with its own unique charm. Whether exploring the downs, moorland, or meadows, visitors are sure to be captivated by the beauty and tranquility that this area has to offer.

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Acre Meadow Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.664645/-2.3051663 or Grid Reference SD7918. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

East Lancashire Railway Class 47 Diesel

East Lancashire Railway's class 47 preserved diesel locomotive 'D1501' hauls an East Lancashire Railway passenger train past the Chest from Rawtenstall towards the level crossing at Irwell Vale. D1501 was one of an initial batch of 20 new ‘Brush Type 4’s’, out-shopped in striking BR Two-Tone Green, as part of a Pilot Scheme order placed by British Railways in February 1961. It carried BR Blue livery as '1501' for many years, becoming 47402 still in BR Blue when the fleet was renumbered in the early 1970s to conform to the computerised TOPS systems. The locomotive was withdrawn from service in July 1992 and secured for preservation by Pete Waterman in December 1993 and has since been a longstanding member of the diesel fleet at the East Lancashire Railway. When first entering service with ELR, D1501 was re-named “GATESHEAD”. In 2010, it was repainted back into as-built BR Two-tone Green livery with the removal of headlights, nameplates, and complete with functional headcode panels. Link

ELR Fleet Profiles Link

British Rail Class 47 (Wikipedia)

David Dixon

Class 45 Diesel Locomotive approaching Irwell Vale

An East Lancashire Railway passenger train hauled by preserved class 45 diesel locomotive 45108 pulls into the station/halt at Irwell Vale, between Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall. The original ELR station serving this area was at nearby Ewood Bridge, just to the north. That station, which opened in 1846, was closed to passengers in 1972 and its buildings were demolished in the early 1980s Link

. Following the successful re-opening of the line as a heritage railway, Irwell Vale station/halt was purpose-built by Rossendale Council and the East Lancashire Railway; it was opened on the 27th April 1991. The British Rail Class 45 also known as the Sulzer Type 4 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail at their Derby and Crewe Works between 1960 and 1962. Along with the similar Class 44 and 46 locomotives, they became known as "Peaks". 45108 was withdrawn from service in August 1987.

David Dixon

Milne Street, Irwell Vale

Nestled in the lush Irwell Valley and lying at the confluence of the River Ogden and River Irwell, Irwell Vale is a traditional mill village with fine examples of stone-terraced mill cottages.

David Dixon

East Lancashire Railway - Irwell Vale Station

An East Lancashire Railway passenger train hauled by preserved class 45 diesel locomotive 45108 waits at the station/halt at Irwell Vale, between Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall. The original ELR station serving this area was at nearby Ewood Bridge, just to the north. That station, which opened in 1846, was closed to passengers in 1972 and its buildings were demolished in the early 1980s Link

David Dixon

Irwell Vale Halt

Small station on the East Lancashire Heritage Railway that runs through the Irwell Valley for 12 miles between Heywood and Rawtenstall

Chris Heaton

River Irwell

Looking upstream from the bridge in Irwell Vale

Chris Heaton

East Lancashire Railway crossing the River Irwell

Heritage railway that runs between Heywood and Rawtenstall crossing the river to north of Irwell Vale Halt

Chris Heaton

East Lancashire Railway crossing the River Irwell again

The railway crossing the river once again to the north of Irwell Vale Halt

Chris Heaton

Mill in Irwell Vale

Chris Heaton

Soap works in Irwell Vale

View from Irwell Vale Road

Kevin Waterhouse

Cycle path following route of former railway

A fairly new path that leads on to Lumb Viaduct. This view is of the start of the path dropping down to the former trackbed from a landfilled overbridge on an un-named old road linking Irwell Vale and Ravenshore.

Kevin Waterhouse