No festive season at the East Lancashire Railway would be complete without the Santa Specials (27 November – 24 December 2010).
It is a truly magical experience for children, mums, dads, grandparents, aunties and uncles, with families flocking to the station eagerly awaiting the arrival of the steam-hauled Santa Train.
Upon arrival at the station, families are being greeted by twinkly lights and a Christmas wonderland, the walk-through grotto that is. Complete with over 200 Christmas trees all lit up, it creates a sense of magic and anticipation.
There’s excitement in the air as you make your way through the grotto and down the stairs onto the platform. It’s the natural magic of a heritage railway station, the plumes of steam billowing from the locomotive into the cold winter air and the smells and sounds that bound to capture everyone’s imagination and brings back childhood memories.
Stepping on board the beautifully decorated vintage carriages and watching the train gently chugging across the wintry countryside of the Irwell Valley evokes nostalgia and romance.
It is a merry old time when the brass bands are playing carols, grandad singing his heart out and Santa and his little helpers slowly making their way through the train handing out a gift to each child and a mince pie and small bottle of wine to the grown-ups.
It’s a Christmas steam adventure waiting for you to climb aboard.
The Santa Specials are hugely popular so you will need to pre-book.
Christina Seidel from the East Lancashire Railway.
My Children had a great time but secretly I did too ;) SHHHH dont tell the kids
Posted by: DJ Lancashire | 06 January 2011 at 05:54 PM
Makes me feel all christmassy just reading this!
Posted by: Sally | 15 December 2010 at 10:26 AM