Bookings are open, and selling fast, for the ever popular Santa Specials at Middleton Railway, which has also published a calendar this year.
This Sunday (29 October 2023) will be the last regular steam service on the railway for this year, which will be closed during November as it prepares for Santa’s arrival.
The Santa Special Trains start running on Saturday 2 December 2023. Each child aged up to 12 years inclusive for whom a fare has been paid will be given a present by Santa whilst travelling on the train. Once the train has arrived back at Moor Road adults (including children 13 or over) will receive a hot drink and a mince pie. For children there will be juice and biscuits.
Trains run from 10am-3:45pm and tickets booked in advance cost £13 (adults and children 16+), £7.50 (young people 11-15), £16 (children 3-10), £11 (children under 3). Babes in arms, with no seat and no present, travel free. Tickets are £1 dearer if not booked in advance and on Christmas Eve.
Advance booking is strongly recommended and mandatory for Christmas Eve. Trains have fully sold out in recent years.
The 10am train on 2, 3, 9 & 10 December will be Quiet Trains with more space on the coaches for people with disabilities, or who wish to be spaced out so as to enjoy a quiet atmosphere.
Full details at www.middletonrailway.org.uk/santa-2023
Middleton Railway has published a 2024 calendar. The A4 sized calendar has a page per month allowing visits and events to be planned in advance. Each page is adorned with an image from Middleton Railway’s collection of locomotives, with both steam and diesel represented and costs just £8.
Order your calendar at www.middletonrailway.org.uk/product/2024-railway-calendar
The Middleton Railway was built in 1758 and is the first railway authorised by an Act of Parliament, the first to have commercially successful steam locomotives, in June 1812 and also the first standard gauge preserved railway, opening in June 1960. It has operated trains every year since opening in 1758.
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