All aboard the ‘Mince Pie Special Train’

Photo: Laura Wild

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochale with members of STORM

4 More Image(s) In Gallery

Passengers on the Sunday train to Manchester were in for an extra treat today (Sunday 6 December) as they boarded the ‘Mince Pie Special Train.’

The train from Littleborough station travelled along the Calder Valley line to Manchester Victoria where passengers were greeted by the Littleborough band and carol singers.

The Mince Pie Speical is an annual train has run every December for many years. The aim is to encourage families to leave their cars and take the train.

Santa boarded the train at Todmorden, and gave gifts to the children and mince pies to the parents.

Due to the closure of the Oldham loop line in October this year the train ran along Calder Valley line instead.

Stuart Carmichael, from STORM (Support the Oldham Rochdale Manchester rail line) and Friends of Littleborough Station said: “We do this to put something back into the community, train stations are the gate way to communities and we are trying to improve them all the time.

"We are very happy to be starting the train from Littleborough this year.”

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift met with members of STORM at the station, he said: “The members of STORM have campaigned extremely hard to ensure that the rail service from Rochdale to Manchester is improved. Hopefully their perseverance will pay off shortly as we desperately need more carriages.”