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Sam Ridgway -
12th February 2020
Sam Ridgway -
12th February 2020 What's On
Loads of legendary retro steam trains will be travelling through Greater Manchester this weekend
Emily Sergeant
History will be rolling through Greater Manchester this weekend, as loads of legendary steam trains will be showcased.
East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) Legends of Steam event is back again for its third year after proving to be so popular last spring.
The heritage railway is already known and loved for its calendar of themed events for families all year round, with wizard, dinosaur, and Alice in Wonderland-themed being some of the fan-favourites, as well as its Thomas the Tank Engine replica and its Halloween and Christmas specials.
But this weekend’s event is one especially for the retro steam train lovers.
Returning this weekend from Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April 2026, well-known historic steam trains such as the A1 60163 ‘Tornado’, and the Battle of Britain 34070 ‘Manston’, will be what are known as the star guests at the three-day event.
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The West Country 34092 ‘City of Wells’ and the L&Y/LMS Class 23 No. 11456 will also be making appearances across the weekend.
If you’re after a particularly special experience, then on Friday 10 and Sunday 12 April, ‘Tornado’ will be paired with a 1960’s Freight Train, and as part of this collaboration, ELR is offering Brake Van Rides for a supplementary fare.
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This isn’t the only stand-out pairing either, as over the weekend, the 34092 ‘City of Wells’ will be paired with the guest 34070 ‘Manston’ for some double headed specials.
This special pairing is actually because 2026 marks 60 years since the closure of the famous Somerset and Dorset Railway, where it was common to see these Bulleid Pacifics at the head of the ‘Pines Express’ – which ran from Manchester to Bournemouth.
There’s also a number of dining experiences to make the most of too.
As part of the Dining With Legends series, rail enthusiasts are invited to sit back in one of the opulent Pullman-style carriages and enjoy fine dining whilst being hauled by the legendary ‘Tornado’.
Read more:
- Greater Manchester’s popular luxury steam train dining experiences are back
- Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct
- Life-saving defibrillators installed on dozens of trains travelling through Greater Manchester
Legends of Steam returns on this Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April, and tickets are on sale now.
Both day ticket and dining options available, and you can find out more information and grab your tickets on the ELR website here.
Featured Image – ELR
What's On
Parklife 2026 | all stage splits and stage times
Thomas Melia
One of Manchester’s biggest music festivals, Parklife, is back at Heaton Park and has just announced its stage splits for its 2026 line-up.
Parklife 2026 is just around the corner, and with some hefty headliners, it’s safe to say this year is looking absolutely stacked in terms of amazing music.
Get ready to immerse yourself in not one but two days soundtracked by some of the world’s best DJs, b2b sets, live performances and more.
This year’s a biggie too, as Scottish dance heavyweight Calvin Harris, Swedish sensation Zara Larsson, Bradford’s own Nia Archives, and London lad Skepta are just some names planning to win over the Heaton Park crowd.
So grab a paper and pen because it’s time to make a note of all the artists you’re interested in seeing and which stage they’re playing live, so you can make the most of your Parklife experience.
Parklife 2026 | Stage splits and stage times
Saturday 20 June
G Stage
- 12pm – 1.30pm | Mya
- 1.30pm – 3pm | A For Alpha
- 3pm – 4.30pm | The Trip
- 4.30pm – 6pm | Kepler
- 6pm – 8pm | Locky b2b Phill De Janeiro b2b Benji King
- 8pm – 9.30pm | Locklead
- 9.30pm – 11pm | Jamback
Magic Sky
- 12pm – 1pm | North Base
- 1pm – 1.40pm | Catching Cairo
- 1.40pm – 2.30pm | Lens (w/ Dread)
- 2.30pm – 3.20pm | Born On Road (w/ Carasel)
- 3.20pm – 4.15pm | Kanine(w/ Rage)
- 4.15pm – 5.15pm | Wilkinson (w/ AD-APT)
- 5.15pm – 6.10pm | Bou (w/ B Live 247)
- 6.10pm – 7.10pm | Dimension
- 7.10pm – 8.15pm | Andy C (w/ Tonn Piper)
- 8.15pm – 9.10pm | Hedex (w/ Eksman)
- 9.10pm – 10.05pm | Mozey (w/ 2Shy)
- 10.05pm – 11pm | K Motionz (w/ IC3)
Matinée
- 12pm – 1pm | Niamh
- 1pm – 2pm | ATRIP
- 2pm – 3pm | MPH
- 3pm – 4pm | Oppidan
- 4pm – 5pm | Effy
- 5pm – 6.20pm | MALUGI b2b Sam Alfred
- 6.20pm – 7.40pm | Marlon Hoffstadt
- 7.40pm – 8.40pm | Morgan Seatree
- 8.40pm – 10pm | Mall Grab
- 10pm – 11pm | Daria Kolosova
Panorama
- 12pm – 1.15pm | Ellia Jaya
- 1.15pm – 2.30pm | Julian Fijma
- 2.30pm – 3.45pm | bullet tooth
- 3.45pm – 5pm | SOSA
- 5pm – 6.30pm | Cloonee
- 6.30pm – 8pm | ALISHA
- 8pm – 9.30pm | Rossi.
- 9.30pm – 11pm | East End Dubs
The Valley
- 12pm – 1pm | Rich Reason & Yami
- 1pm – 2pm | Alexandria
- 2pm – 3.30pm | Prospa
- 3.30pm – 5pm | Josh Baker
- 5.15pm – 6pm | 4am Kru
- 6.30pm – 7.30pm | Nia Archives
- 8pm – 9pm | Skepta
- 9.30pm – 10.45pm | Sammy Virji
Sunday 21 June
G Stage
- 1pm – 1.50pm | Mattik b2b Larishka
- 1.50pm – 2.40pm | Shade V b2b Rich Reason
- 2.40pm – 3.40pm | Dismantle
- 3.40pm – 4.40pm | Douvelle19
- 4.40pm – 5.10pm | Window Kid
- 5.10pm – 6.10pm | Osmosis Jones
- 6.10pm – 7pm | Arthi
- 7pm – 8pm | Bushbaby
- 8pm – 9pm | BAKEY
- 9pm – 10pm | SHY FX
- 10pm – 11pm | RYOTA
Magic Sky
- 1pm – 2.10pm | Cam Stockman
- 2.10pm – 3.20pm | Olive F
- 3.20pm – 4.30pm | DXNBY
- 4.30pm – 5.40pm | Riordan
- 5.40pm – 6.50pm | Omar+
- 6.50pm – 8pm | Marsolo
- 8pm – 9.30pm | L.P. Rhythm
- 9.30pm – 11pm | Obskür
Matinée
- 1pm – 2.15pm | 4000HZ
- 2.15pm – 3.30pm | Saidah
- 3.30pm – 4.45pm | Fumi
- 4.45pm – 6pm | Diffrent
- 6pm – 7.20pm | Faster Horses b2b Benwal
- 7.20pm – 8.20pm | ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U
- 8.20pm – 9.30pm | blk.
- 9.30pm – 11pm | AZYR
Panorama
- 1pm – 2pm | Minna
- 2pm – 3pm | Delilah
- 3pm – 4.10pm | Silva Bumpa
- 4.10pm – 5.20pm | Luuk Van Dijk
- 5.20pm – 6.30pm | Chloé Caillet
- 6.30pm – 8pm | Ewan McVicar
- 8pm – 9.30pm | KETTAMA
- 9.20pm – 11pm | Chris Stussy
The Valley
- 1pm – 2.15pm | Nicola Bear
- 2.15pm – 3.15pm | Mix-Stress
- 3.30pm – 4.15pm | Clementine Douglas
- 4.30pm – 5.30pm | Armand Van Helden
- 6pm – 6.45pm | Rudim3ntal
- 7.15pm – 8.15pm | Zara Larsson
- 9.15pm – 10.45pm | Calvin Harris
Parklife 2026 has delivered a stellar line-up once again, and if you’re after catching any of these artists live at Heaton Park later this year, you can grab a range of tickets.
Feel like Saturday is more your vibe? Check out the ticket option for just Saturday, 20 June HERE, or if Sunday sounds better for you, then grab a ticket or two for Sunday 21 June HERE.
And if one day just isn’t enough, how about a whole weekend? Enjoy two days of live music with tickets for Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June HERE.
Read more:
- More artists added and stage splits confirmed for Neighbourhood Weekender 2026 lineup
- Dispute over Manichester now ‘resolved’, say Mounfield family
- Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for the first-time ever
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images – Jody Hartley/Charlotte Rutherford /WikiCommons/Alistair McVeigh (supplied)
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