Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester return this Halloween

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ELR's Halloween Ghost Train on the track at night / Credit: ELR

One of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is back this spooky season, and tickets are now on sale.

What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point?

Generally selling out each year, and 2023 expected to be no different, the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for “loads of spooktacular fun” once the scariest time of year rolls around.

Those brave enough at lending the ‘Monster Squad’ a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.

Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester return this Halloween / Credit: ELR

You’ll get to meet lots of “oddballs and curios” along the way, including Count Brian the vampire, Veronica the witch, Zombie Bob, and the mad Dr Frankenburger as you board the rain ride of a lifetime.

If you’ve got the guts, then you’ll start the experience off with a haunted house walkthrough over the ghoulishly decorated footbridge at Bury Bolton Street Station, all before you hop on an 80-minute spooky steam train ride to Rawtenstall and back.

As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic train’s windows, there’ll be plenty of spooky entertainment and music along the way.

If you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child “full of tricks and treats” awaits.

As it always is each year, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the spooky experience.

Families are also encouraged to “show off your spookiest fancy dress”.

And if you’re still hungry for horror, then even more frightful fun is on offer across the road at the Bury Transport Museum, where the ‘Carn-Evil’ is back once again by popular demand with its haunted cottage and a whole host of rides suitable for all ages.

‘The Twist’, ‘The Dragon’, ‘The Haunted House’, and ‘The Balloons’ are just some of the rides that everyone can get involved with.

Are you brave enough to climb aboard one of the eerie Halloween Ghost Trains? / Credit: ELR

Not only that, but alongside the rides, there’ll also be a “spooktacular show” filled with even more colourful characters that takes place at regular intervals – with a disco, magic show, and fancy dress competition with prizes all on the lineup.

Open from 4-9pm, tickets get you access to all attractions at the museum, and you can go before or after your Halloween train experience, it’s entirely up to you and whatever fits in with your evening and train departure time.

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The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening on Thursday 26, Friday 27 & Saturday 28 October, and tickets are now on sale starting from £15 per person.

Find out more and grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – ELR