First weekend of Santa Trains

13 December 2021

Festive magic down the glen for the first weekend visit of the man in the red suit!

Last weekend saw the first weekend of our popular Santa Trains at Groudle. Locomotives Sea Lion (celebrating her 125th birthday this year) and sister Brown Bear were hauling an intensive service that saw hundreds of Manx families come to travel with us and enjoy the festive atmosphere, refreshments and to visit Santa Claus in his grotto aswell.

The weather was a mixture of wet on Saturday and overcast on Sunday, but that didn't put off visitors who wanted to get into the spirit of it.

It is the first year of the service being completely booking only and whilst some tweaking to the booking system is still required, there were improvements in some areas of the operation from last year.

The free shuttle bus service to the glen operated by Bus Vannin was popular and guests were reminded that face coverings were mandatory on the bus service.  In terms of Covid mitigation at the railway there were increased hygiene measures, hand sanitising stations and despite being an outdoor event, visitors were requested to wear face coverings if they felt appropriate and to consider the vulnerabilities of others when visiting.


Eyes now turn to next week's services on Saturday and Sunday which will see Sea Lion, Brown Bear and Otter all in service across the weekend.

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28 August 2025
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.
28 August 2025
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.
30 May 2025
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.
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