Special Christmas journey for train travellers

People waiting for the Mince Pie Special train at Littleborough

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People heading into Manchester to do their Christmas shopping on Sunday (4 December) enjoyed a festive journey on the ‘Mince Pie Special’ train.

Passengers on the Christmas train - organised by The Friends of Littleborough Stations’, STORM (Support the Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester rail lines) and Northern Rail – met Mother Christmas and enjoyed free mince pies.

Entertainment was provided courtesy of Littleborough Public Brass Band and Carol Singers from Littleborough Churches Together, both on the train and at Manchester Victoria station.

Stuart Carmichael, Secretary of Friends of Littleborough Stations, said: “The Mince Pie Special was a great success on Sunday.

“The 1302 specially lengthened train from Littleborough to Manchester filled with passengers from Littleborough and Smithy Bridge saw Mother Christmas giving the children gifts from her bottomless sack of treats whilst her elves distributed mince pies to all who fancied one.

“Passengers joined at all the stations along the line to Manchester.”

The Mince Pie Special 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 - whilst getting into the Christmas spirit.

The winners of the Friends of Littleborough Stations’ Christmas Raffle were Elizabeth Woodhead and Margaret Styles.

Mr Carmichael added: “Thanks are due to STORM, Northern Rail, the band and Littleborough Churches Together who made the afternoon such a success.”