Yes we know its still November but that doesn’t mean that the man in the red coat isn’t already making his plans for this year. And in both Manchester and Douglas these plans include trams!
The Heaton Park Tramway have announced that Father Christmas is to take a ride on board Manchester 765 on Saturday 28th November as he arrives for the Santa Parade. He will board the tram – which will be appropriately decorated – at Middleton Road and then go for a tram ride to the end of the line where he will continue his way through the Park. Blackpool 619 will follow behind 765 with a band onboard playing festive music.
Trams will then continue to run for the remainder of the day and then every Saturday and Sunday until 20th December before the tramway takes a well earned rest for the winter period.
Meanwhile details have now been confirmed about the Douglas Horse Tramway Santa Specials which will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December. Eight trips a day will run from Strathallan from 1000 using illuminated tram 1 (which only seems to be used for Santa Specials each year) with prices remaining as £7.50 for adults and children aged 2 to 16 with a group ticket of four being only £20. Tickets buy a visit to Santa’s grotto and a gift, refreshments in the Strathallan suite and an opportunity to visit the sales. Tickets are available online by visiting http://douglas.firmstep.com/default.aspx/RenderForm/?ID=F3WZCSETMCS&HideToolbar=1.
And of course Santa isn’t restricting himself to just Manchester and Douglas as he will also be seen in Birkenhead, Blackpool, East Anglia Transport Museum and Seaton as Christmas approaches.