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Sunshine, steam trains, friendly ghouls and a violin-playing skeleton or two made this year's Not So Scary Hop Tu Naa Trains a frightfully fantastic success! Groudle Glen Railway was transformed into a magical, spook y wonderland over the weekend as families flocked to enjoy two days of Hop tu Naa fun at the railway's popular Not So Scary Hop Tu Naa Trains. And even the weather joined in the celebrations, with beautiful conditions and glorious sunshine providing the perfect backdrop for a weekend of family-friendly frights and railway adventures. On Saturday, our historic steam locomotive Sea Lion joined younger steam locomotive Otter in service, while Sunday saw Annie take over steam duties alongside Otter , delighting visitors young and old as the trains made their way through the autumnal glen. A Glen Full of Ghostly Goings-On! From the moment families arrived, they were greeted by a wonderfully spooky atmosphere, with twinkling lights, eerie decorations and a whole host of friendly ghouls waiting to welcome them along the line. Of course, no visit would have been complete without meeting the star of Hop Tu Naa herself, Jinny the Witch! Jinny was delighted to welcome her young visitors, handing out spooktacular gifts and posing for souvenir photographs, giving families a magical memento of their visit to her lair. And for those feeling a little peckish after all that excitement, there were plenty of devilishly delicious treats on offer! Visitors enjoyed luxury hot chocolate, freshly served tea and coffee, and juice for the younger ghouls, accompanied by a tempting selection of spooky doughnuts, chocolates and sweets. The Skeletons Stole the Show! But while Jinny may have been the headline act, she faced some unexpected competition this year! Our brand-new violin-playing skeletons on the platform proved to be the surprise stars of the weekend! The musical members of our spooky crew were a huge hit with visitors, attracting plenty of attention, smiles and photographs throughout both days. There's just one small problem... we still haven't given them names! But fear not, these talented, if slightly bony, musicians will definitely be returning next year. That gives us another twelve months to come up with something suitably spooky to call them! A Huge Thank You! The railway would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who joined us over the weekend and helped make this year's Not So Scary Hop Tu Naa Trains such a wonderful occasion. A special thank you also goes to our fantastic team of volunteers, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and throughout the weekend to create the decorations, spooky atmosphere, refreshments and magical experiences that made the event so memorable. As a volunteer-run heritage railway, events like this simply wouldn't be possible without their dedication, creativity and enthusiasm. We hope everyone who visited had a truly spooktacular time, and we can't wait to welcome you back for more ghostly goings; next Hop Tu Naa! Until then, Jinny has flown off on her broomstick, the ghouls have returned to their hiding places, and our skeleton musicians are taking a well-earned rest.... After all, they've been working their fingers to the bone! 💀🎻 

Annie Returns Home After Major Rebuild

Glorious spring sunshine and the unmistakable scent of steam set the scene for a truly memorable Easter celebration at the Groudle Glen Railway to start our 130th year, where families flocked in their hundreds to enjoy one of the Island’s most cherished seasonal traditions. From the first departure to the final train of the afternoon, the line was alive with laughter and anticipation as Sea Lion and Otter performed beautifully, their polished brass and billowing steam evoking the golden age of Manx tourism. Nestled within the blossom-filled glen, the railway offered a picture-perfect backdrop as visitors journeyed to Sea Lion Rocks, greeted at the terminus station by the cheerful presence of the Easter Bunny, who ensured no child went home empty-handed, distributing a delightful abundance of chocolate eggs. The ever-popular Easter egg hunt brought an extra layer of excitement, with clues hidden along the line leading to a range of coveted prizes. Winners were thrilled to receive rewards including travel opportunities from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, an Afternoon tea for 4 at Milntown House, charming Easter Bunny gifts, and even a season pass to return again and again to the railway. Meanwhile, the café tearooms provided a warm and welcoming hub, offering complimentary tea, coffee and orange juice that kept spirits high throughout the day. With bustling platforms, full trains and a joyful atmosphere from start to finish, the event was widely hailed as a resounding success—capturing not just the spirit of Easter, but the enduring magic of the railway itself.

Since January 2026, volunteers at Groudle Glen Railway have been undertaking another ambitious permanent-way project : a major track relay from Blue Lagoon deep in the glen right up to the top of the hill below Lime Kiln Halt. Working as part of the railway’s dedicated track gang, volunteers have methodically dismantled the life-expired track, lifting old rails and sleepers before digging out the worn trackbed beneath. This demanding groundwork has paved the way for a completely renewed formation designed to secure the long-term future of the line. The scale of the work has been immense for our small team. New recycled plastic sleepers; each costing around £120 before bolts, fittings, rails, and ballast are even considered; have been carefully installed, followed by the reconstruction of the track itself. More than 40 tonnes of ballast have been barrowed, shovelled, levelled, and packed entirely by hand, before the rails were aligned and the track meticulously tamped to achieve the correct levels and geometry. It is tough, physical work, made all the more challenging by the Manx weather, yet the track gang turns out weekend after weekend regardless of rain, wind, or cold, driven by pride, commitment, and a strong sense of camaraderie. The railway is profoundly grateful to everyone involved in this project, and extends particular thanks to the Scheinberg Family , whose generous support has been instrumental in making this renewal possible and in safeguarding the sustainability of this much-loved railway. Projects of this scale are expensive, but they are essential if the Groudle Glen Railway is to continue operating safely for future generations. New volunteers are always welcome to join the track gang and experience the teamwork and satisfaction that comes with maintaining a living piece of heritage. Those who are able to donate, or who may wish to leave the railway a legacy, are warmly encouraged to get in touch or support the project through online donations: every contribution helps keep this little railway alive.

As winter settled over the Isle of Man, the 2025 Santa Trains returned to the Groudle Glen Railway, delighting families with a beloved holiday tradition that has been part of the line’s calendar since the 1980s. Running on selected Saturdays and Sundays in mid-December, these festive services saw heritage steam trains departing throughout the day from Lhen Coan, their carriages decked with seasonal lights and decorations. Young passengers and their families boarded with anticipation, travelling through the atmospheric glen to North Pole Halt, where Santa Claus awaited with gifts and hearty festive cheer. With tickets selling briskly and online pre-booking essential, the event offered a joyful mix of classic steam railway charm and Christmas magic that kept queues moving and spirits bright. Alongside the Santa Trains, the Groudle Glen Railway also hosted its traditional Mince Pie Trains on Boxing Day, providing a relaxed post-Christmas celebration for locals and visitors alike. Running from late morning into the afternoon, these services combined the simple pleasure of a steam journey through the glen with seasonal refreshments, including hot drinks and classic mince pies, in the convivial setting of the railway’s festive carriages. Volunteers and staff embraced the spirit of the season throughout both events, helping to make the railway’s historic locomotives and cosy atmosphere a focal point for family outings and holiday memories. Through both the Santa and Mince Pie Trains, the railway once again demonstrated its ability to blend heritage transport with community celebration, drawing enthusiasts and families to experience the sights, sounds and scents of steam in an unforgettable festive setting. From the cheerful calls of “All aboard!” to the final whistle of the season’s last run, the 2025 holiday services upheld a warm Manx tradition that continues to grow in popularity each year.

The 2025 Not So Scary Hop Tu Naa Trains at Groudle Glen Railway once again proved to be a highlight of the Manx autumn calendar, welcoming families for a gentle, child-friendly introduction to the island’s traditional Hop Tu Naa celebrations. Running on selected evenings in late October, the event transformed the historic Groudle Glen Railway into a warmly lit woodland adventure, with pumpkin lanterns, autumn decorations, and subtle spooky touches that delighted younger visitors without any frights. Staff and volunteers embraced the spirit of the season, creating an atmosphere that balanced heritage, folklore, and family fun. Families boarding the trains at Broomstick Halt experienced more than just a ride through Groudle Glen. Children were encouraged to dress up, visit Jinny the Witch to receive a spooky gift, and enjoy naughty but nice refreshments, while parents appreciated the relaxed pace and nostalgic charm of the railway after dark. The journey through the glen, illuminated by soft lighting and some larger than life spooky friends of Jinny, offered a rare evening perspective on one of the island’s best-loved attractions, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Hauling the Hop Tu Naa services were the railway’s much-loved heritage locomotives Sea Lion, Brown Bear and Otter, presented in immaculate condition and adding to the sense of stepping back in time. As with previous years, the 2025 Not So Scary Hop Tu Naa Trains reinforced the Groudle Glen Railway’s reputation for delivering imaginative events that respect tradition while creating lasting memories for a new generation of visitors.

On Sunday 10 August 2025, Groudle Glen Railway hosted its beloved Cliff Top Concerts, offering a day of free live music that harmonised perfectly with the stunning cliff‑top backdrop of Sea Lion Rocks Tea Rooms From 11 am to 4:30 pm, visitors were treated to an enchanting sequence of performances by talented Manx musicians. The lineup included Jeff Jepson (11–11:45 am), Simon & Jeff of Truman Falls (11:45 am–12:30 pm), Sambamann (12:30–1 pm), Rushen Silver Band (1:15–2 pm), The Reveillettes (2–2:45 pm), and the energetic THE SHENANNIGANS BANNED closing the concert at 3–4 pm True to Groudle’s welcoming tradition, trains ran throughout the day, hauled by both Sea Lion and Otter, bringing guests to the Tea Rooms—though prebooking was optional, allowing spontaneous visits as well as planned trips. The combination of live music and the gentle clatter of heritage steam created a uniquely immersive experience that delighted families and music lovers alike. Attendees also shared their delight online, calling it “What an afternoon! Stunning scenes, wonderful music, lovingly restored Victorian steam railway… What’s not to love?” This year’s Cliff Top Concerts continued a proud tradition: a heartfelt celebration of local musical talent set against the natural beauty and nostalgia of the Groudle Glen Railway. The event not only offered entertainment but also reinforced the railway’s community spirit and commitment to preserving Manx heritage in creative ways. Whether visitors came for the music, the train ride, or simply the ambiance, the day resonated long after the final note faded on the cliffs.

The 2025 Manx Heritage Transport Festival held from 22 to 27 July, celebrating our rich transport legacy and inspiring future generations through a week-long schedule of heritage events across the Isle of Man Groudle Glen Railway played a standout role throughout the festival. On Wednesday, the railway and its charming tea rooms welcomed visitors from 11 am to 9 pm, offering extended operations to soak in the vintage atmosphere and enjoy special pre-booked steam teas and also workshop tours . The excitement continued into Saturday, designated as “Victorian Nostalgia Day.” Here, our beloved original locomotive Sea Lion of 1896 pulled her original 1896/1905 four-wheeled coaches, providing delightfully authentic rides with a dash of history Sunday was dedicated to a festive Gala Day, featuring a diverse showcase of the railway’s rolling stock—from steam to battery to diesel locomotives all in operation. A special photo opportunity lined up all the locomotives in one place—available through advance booking GGR Festivalgoers were treated to more than train rides. The whole island buzzed with workshops, photography sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, heritage bus runs, and more—ensuring something for everyone, from rail aficionados to families and casual visitors In essence, the 2025 Manx Heritage Transport Festival wove together the Isle of Man’s railway past and present into a vibrant celebration. With special attractions like Groudle Glen’s extended operations, nostalgic locomotive runs, and immersive experiences, the festival delivered a captivating journey through rail heritage that resonated with enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

As the years pass by we notice a steady increase in the interest in our relatively modern locomotives... the 1920s Battery Electric Polar Bear and the 1940s / 1950s diesel locomotives. As volunteers we always look forward to the annual Diesel Electric day which helps kick start the summer season in early May. Our Hudson Hunslet diesel locomotive Walrus of 1952 was missing this year as she is under full rebuild, but her sister Dolphin saw passenger service alongside the Baguley diesel locomotive of 1947 Maltby (known as the Hi-De-Hi locomotive.) Our replica Battery Electric locomotive Polar Bear is always a popular locomotive, especially with her Groudle heritage... and we didn't want to disappoint steam fans, so the day saw Sea Lion operating aswell to offer a two train service passing at the loop and providing a great comparison between the different types of motive power.