This year’s Christmas Santa Specials at the East Lancashire Railway are in great demand and tickets are selling fast.

As families look to start their Christmas festivities with an enchanting voyage through the magical Irwell Valley on board a real heritage steam train, trains are being booked up throughout November and December. On 4th, 10th, and 11th December, some trains are already fully booked, and on Christmas Eve, only one of the six trains on the day has seats available.

However, the East Lancashire Railway’s Winter Wonderland is opening early. The first train will leave Bury Bolton Street with Santa aboard on Saturday, 26th November, and there are still plenty of tickets left.

At Bury Bolton Street station there is an extended winter wonderland where guests will meet old favourites such as the Elves and new characters that include a magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs. Claus, and the railway’s very own Ice Princess. They can also enjoy singing along with a chorus of musical polar bears.

During an 80-minute round trip from Bury to Rawtenstall station, guests will get to meet Christmas characters, whilst Santa will hand out gifts. To make the journey even more enjoyable, guests can sing along with a brass band while they play traditional Christmas favourites.

During the journey, adults will be served a mince pie and a festive tipple or soft drink, while children enjoy chocolate, juice, and a special East Lancashire Railway festive activity pack.

Tickets for the Santa trains are now available for booking at https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/santa-trains/ with prices starting from £23 for adults.

For those who wish to start their journey at Heywood station, there is free car parking and a Santa diesel train shuttle to Bury Bolton Street station, which is the starting point for the Santa Specials. Shuttle tickets from Heywood to Bury cost £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children.

Mike Kelly, Chairman at ELR, comments: “For over thirty years generations have been enjoying Christmas at ELR. Last year I met a family of four generations who had been coming every year since the first Santa Special was launched. This year our Santa Specials are bigger and better than ever before with lots of new festive characters to meet and an upgraded Winter Wonderland for an even more magical experience.

“With all the additional magic we’ve added to the Santa Specials this year they are likely to sell out, we are already seeing trains across both November and December selling out as families don’t want to miss out on the festive fun at the railway. Opening weekend beginning on the 26th November is sure to be a busy one with families eager to experience the new and improved event.

“Families can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere with plenty of music, sweet treats for both adults and children and a gift from Santa for the children. Guests also have increased time with Santa to have a chat and snap a memorable selfie.

“A trip to the railway’s Christmas celebrations has become a seasonal delight for many families and we’re thrilled that the improved experience will continue to bring the magic of Christmas to life with even more to see and do.”