For many Wiganers, a trip to Haigh Hall wasn’t complete without a ride on the land train. Whether it was during the school holidays or a Sunday afternoon with the family, it’s one of those memories that has stayed with generations of visitors.
Now, after years away, the much-loved attraction is back, ready to create a whole new set of memories for families visiting Haigh Woodland Park this summer.
The land train, owned by Haigh Courtyard café and ice cream parlour owner Colin Jamieson, will run between Haigh Courtyard and Plantation Gates throughout the school holidays.
I was lucky enough to hop on board during a test run ahead of its official launch and, safe to say, it unlocked a few childhood memories. I wasn’t the only one either, with several passengers chatting about how they remembered riding the old land train as children.
As we made our way through the woodland, walkers waved as we passed, children stopped to point and plenty of people smiled at the sight of the train making its way through the park once again. The journey takes around 20 minutes each way and offers a way easier option that that uphill walk!
The history of taking visitors around Haigh by train goes back more than 75 years.
In 1950, Wigan Parks Superintendent Jack Ashton introduced a Ferguson tractor and carriage to take visitors on tours of the Haigh Hall estate.
By 1965, archive photographs show a Mercury tractor pulling the land train that many of us still remember. Built by the Mercury Truck & Tractor Company in Gloucester, the tractors were originally designed for towing equipment around factories, railway yards and airports before later being adapted to pull passenger carriages at parks and visitor attractions.
The land train remained part of a day out at Haigh for years, with generations of families climbing aboard before it eventually disappeared from the park.
The train now running at Haigh is very different to the original Mercury tractor and carriages.
It’s a purpose-built passenger land train that spent around 10 years operating in Exmouth, Devon. After its previous owner died, it was bought by Colin Jamieson and brought to Haigh.
Times and prices:
- Running: Throughout the summer holidays
- First train: 10.30am
- Last train: Around 3pm
- Route: Haigh Courtyard to Plantation Gates
- Journey time: Around 20 minutes (one way)
- Adult fares: £4 one way / £6 return
- Child fares: £2 one way / £3 return
- Under 4s: Free
- Booking: No booking needed – buy tickets from the driver
- Payment: Cash or card accepted
- Dogs: Welcome on board
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with a ramp and wider doors on the rear carriage
