We wanted to do a Christmas-themed Fun Fact for December and think that NIRT’s Santa Trains fit that nicely.
If you have enjoyed a ride on NIRT’s Santa Trains previously, please do let us know what you thought of the experience by leaving a comment.
NIRT have been running the Santa Trains every December for around 30 years so there should be plenty of you out there who have had the pleasure of meeting Santa.
NIRT themselves were established in 1974, celebrating their 50th Anniversary on 9th September 2024. They are therefore older than the Country Park itself, and the other West Hunsbury parks at the bottom of the hill by Wootton Brook, as these were not established as parks until 1981 (although Northampton Development Corporation (NDC) had been saying Hunsbury Hill would become a Country Park since the early 1970’s).
NIRT started running passenger trips on their loop line in 1982 and opened the full extent of line (across the Country Park towards Tesco) on the Playday organised by NDC in June 1983 when, according to the Chron & Echo, over 5,000 people visited the Country Park !
Where on earth did they all park ?
But, back to today and the Santa Trains ~ please do give them a go this December. Not only is it an exciting event for youngsters, but it also helps to fund NIRT, which allows them to continue with the upkeep and restoration of the complete railway line.
If you want to find out more about NIRT, visit their website https://www.northantsironstonerailway.co.uk/
or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/431224997843078