Notes: The third Heywood station was opened by the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) on 25 July 2003. The ELR is a heritage railway that opened its first section of line between Bury Bolton Street and Ramsbottom on 25 July 1987.
On 16 August 1991 the ELR lost its connection with the national network when the Manchester Victoria - Bury line was closed and converted to a tramway. The ELR was keen to maintain its links to the network so that it could move locomotives to and from other heritage lines. They also wanted to host rail tours from around the country. The only option open to them was to reopen the former LYR line between Bury and Castleton. The line was restored over the following decade.
The third Heywood station is located slightly further to the east of the second station. It consists of a single platform located on the up side of the line (the north side). A steel portacabin style building serves as a booking office and waiting room.
Sources:
- A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain - Volume 10 The North West - Geoffrey O Holt, David & Charles 1986.
- Forgotten Railways - North West England - John Marshall, David & Charles 1981.
- Lost Stations of North West England - Paul Wright, Silverlink Publishing 2011.
- The Lancashire & Rorkshire Railway, Volume 1 - John Marshall, David & Charles 1969.
- The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Volume 2 - John Marshall, David & Charles 1970.
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