Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester next month, and you can now grab tickets.
After a successful run in 2021, iconic heritage railway service East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand and will return to its tracks in April and on several dates throughout the year.
The Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will be able to hop on board the replica of the cult-classic blue train character for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
The journey begins at Bury Train Staion, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
That’s not all though, as the Day Out With Thomas experience also continues offboard, with performances from Sodor’s cheeky station sweepers Rusty and Dusty at Bury Transport Museum, as well as Thomas-themed activities in the ‘Imagination Station’, and other entertainment events, such as magic shows, and more.
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The Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other” / Credit: ELR
You can also let the fun continue across the road at Bury Transport Museum, where your ticket also gains you entry to enjoy funfair rides, magicians, balloon modelling, and face painting.
Speaking ahead of Thomas’ return, Lorna Massey – Sales & Events Manager at East Lancashire Railway – said: “We are delighted to welcome back Thomas the Tank Engine to the ELR’s tracks over a number of weekends from April to October.
“The Day Out With Thomas events are a key fixture on the ELR’s calendar and one of our most popular experiences as Thomas is a much-loved childhood character for people of all generations, so the event always brings as much joy to children as it does to parents and grandparents.
“As well as taking a trip through Lancashire on Thomas, visitors will also meet Sodor’s Rusty and Dusty and Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy a host of activities offboard, so the experience will be a fun day out for all the family.”
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester / Credit: ELR
Day Out With Thomas will take place on Saturday 30 April, May Bank Holiday weekend, 6 & 7 August, and then later on in October too.
Tickets start at £13.70 for kids and £22.70 for adults, and you can grab yours here.
Featured Image – Paul Michael Hughes Photography(via ELR)
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A massive ultra and trail running event is coming to Greater Manchester this summer
Has this past month’s Manchester Marathon and Great MCR Run heroics got you feeling all hyped up for the next big challenge? How does an epic ultra/trail running event sound?
Best get those legs resting because there’s a brand new event coming to the race calendar.
The advent of ultras and trail running, in particular, looks to be growing ever more popular and with some brilliant terrain to be enjoyed around the North West, it’s not hard to see why.
Greater Manchester has loads of these runs throughout the year already, and now beloved event organisers, Beyond Trails, are bringing their first-ever Manc date to life.
Simply titled ‘Beyond MCR‘, this dual event will see runners offered the chance to take on one of two races, both of which will see them plodding beyond the half-marathon distance.
Depending on your disposition, you can take on either a 25k trail around Manchester, Trafford and Salford, or an ultra around even more nearby boroughs.
The ultra marathon distance will see participants putting in the ones and twos for a total of 55k, passing through the likes of Bury, Bolton, Salford and more. It’s one way to see 0161, put it that way.
As described on the website: “See a little of Manchester’s wild side with Beyond Manchester: a running event with a 25km trail option or a 55km ultra route for runners and walkers.”
Beyond Trails will also be teaming up with local favourites Track Brewery to supply some much-needed suds after the slog is done, with runners being handed tokens to claim their free pints there afterwards.
Now that’s the kind of motivation we can get behind.
The announcement goes on to add: “With its accessible city centre start and finish, plenty of signage, and a trademark Manchester welcome, Beyond MCR is for every kind of runner, no matter whether it’s your first trail event or your umpteenth ultra.
“Parkland, street, disused railway, reservoir trails – you name it, Beyond Manchester’s got it. The city just feels different when you go beyond your usual route – and we think you’re going to love it.
No matter which one you choose, both runs will begin and end in the picturesque Castlefield district, and whether you’re lacing up your trail shoes or your most cushioned trainers for some serious mileage, you’ll be able to take some stunning views from around the city and beyond.
Taking place on Thursday, 26 July, with an 8am start for the ultra and 10am for the 25k, we reckon it’s a great excuse to book a long weekend off work. You can find out more information and enquire about booking a place HERE.
Manchester’s popular pop-up cafe full of hundreds of sausage dogs is making a big return this bank holiday.
Are you a big dachshund fan? Love seeing lots of little sausage dogs in the same place? Looking for your little pup to make some sausage friends? Don’t even have a sausage dog but want to join in on the fun anyway? Well you’re in luck, as the Dachshund Pup Up Cafe is back in our city for its second time this year… and what better day than bank holiday Monday.
Having already proved to be a smash-hit success in the years it’s visited Manchester since 2018, the dachshund pop up cafe – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – will be filling another popular city centre venue with so many sausage dogs.
Organisers are expecting more than 250 dachshunds to join in on the fun this time around, and there’s loads for them to look forward to.
Manchester’s popular pop-up cafe full of hundreds of sausage dogs is back this bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
Sausage dogs and their owners are all invited to descend on Revolution Parsonage Gardens in the city centre from 10am, with several other timed sessions throughout the day to book onto – as organisers Pup Up Cafe have managed to secure the whole venue the dogs to roam free and enjoy some wholesome fun in a safe space.
Whether you own a sausage dog yourself or you’re simply just a dachshund fan, you’ll get the chance to mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of activities, and stock up on dachshund-related goodies.
The pups themselves will get to enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos, and play to their heart’s content with other sausages.
It sounds like it’s going to be a jam-packed day to remember, so luckily, there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities throughout.
Organisers are expecting more than 250 dachshunds to join in on the fun / Credit: Supplied
The Dachshund Pup Up Cafe will arrive in Manchester on Monday 26 May from 10am-3:30pm, with different morning and afternoon sessions during the day, and numbers limited to 50 sausage dogs allowed per session.
Fancy ‘a sausage mad day’ then? Tickets will set you back £10 if you’re a sausage dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dachshund fan who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway, and you can get yourself some tickets here.
Don’t have a sausage dog, but do have another four-legged furry friend instead? Not to worry, as Pup Up Cafe has a session open to all friendly dogs on the day too, which you can get tickets for here.
And if you miss out on Manchester, there’s also events in Nottingham and Southampton this bank holiday too.
Emily Sergeant -
9th March 2022 
