East Lancashire Railway

Just been on the festive Christmas Dinner train experience… it went above and beyond expectations 🎄🚂 This was a birthday present for my mum and my partner, arrived at the station early and that ended up being part of the fun. We tried the buttered bread beer beforehand bit more beer tasting, wandered around, got up close to the engine room making the wait exciting rather than boring 🍺 Boarding was quick, easy and really well organised, with starters already prepared. From the moment we sat down, the staff were absolutely brilliant. The service was friendly, relaxed and attentive, and the food was exceptional. I have dietary requirements, which were handled perfectly. I had the turkey (instead of steak) which was delicious, and they even brought me extra vegetables as they had some left. Every course was spot on and you genuinely couldn’t fault the food at all. The mince pie cheesecake at the end 😍 absolutely topped it all off. The train itself was warm and comfortable, the service was quick without ever feeling rushed, and everything ran so smoothly from start to finish. We felt really well looked after the whole time. The only small gripe was during the booking process, as there wasn’t much clarity around seating choice, but honestly this was minor compared to how brilliant the actual experience was. And also we arrived back at the station fairly late in comparison to what the tickets had said so everyone was rushing to get off as they were done with the experience. I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking for something festive, fun and genuinely special. We loved every minute and would 100% do it again✨

Going back in time. Best £50 I spent for years. Forget going abroad, packed lunch and flask of tea. Absolutely brilliant time out. Met some top people from ELR. This is what made Britain Great.

Where to begin? (and I'm sorry it's taken us a year to realise we'd not written a review!) We had the most magical Steampunk wedding at the ELR last year! Lorna and her team were incredible, everyone was as excited for our day, as we were! Lorna made planning everything an absolute breeze, she made sure we had time to decide each detail, but never overwhelmed us.Each tweak or idea we had, was met with excitement.From our unusual haggis choice for the evening buffet, to all of the bubble guns for our guests.Nothing was an issue at all. We wanted an intimate ceremony, with just immediate family, then a large celebration in the evening. The Ramsbottom platform was absolutely perfect for the ceremony and drinks reception, all the gorgeous details creating a beautiful atmosphere.The observation saloon carriages were comfortable and decadent.It was simply a magical experience to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea whilst riding on a steam train! Our evening reception on the Bolton Street platform was amazing, the food was absolutely delicious and the platform looked incredible. From start to finish, our day ran like clockwork and was truly magical.We cannot thank you all enough for creating the perfect day!

If you enjoy traveling not only through space but also through time, I highly recommend a visit to the East Lancashire Railway. Here, you can ride in charming vintage carriages and listen to fascinating stories shared by the passionate railway staff. Along the route, you'll pass through picturesque towns and villages, each offering its own unique charm. The surrounding landscapes are stunning, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy delicious local food. Be sure to also check out the nearby transport museum, which houses an impressive collection of classic cars, trucks, and buses—an excellent addition to your historical journey!

I enjoyed my day, it's been a long time since I felt proud to be British, with the British flag proudly displayed. The staff were friendly I had a great time happy to recommend.