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SMEC GHOST TRAIN 2026

RIDE IF YOU DARE!

Back for its 2nd Year!

Chuff into the all-new SMEC Ghost Train – a spine-tingling, family-friendly adventure like no other! We use live steam and diesel battery electric operated locomotives to pull upto 7 passengers per train! We've reimagined the experience for 2026 to become a fully immersive spooky railway journey packed with surprises. Now with Stalls, Games & Refreshments!

Event Dates

Friday 30th – Saturday 31st October

4pm – 8pm each night

Southport Model Engineering Club
Rotten Row (next to Victoria Park)
Southport, Merseyside PR8 2DA

Locomotives: Ghost Train with a live steam or diesel battery electric locomotive (randomly allocated)

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A Spooky Railway Adventure

This year's theme takes you through haunted tunnels, ghostly stations, and encounters with friendly spirits as our decorated train winds through the darkness. Count the different silly spooks for a spooktacular treat after your ride.

We run trains every Sunday for donations to keep the club open. Why not come and visit to see our train ride in the daytime before the spooks come out!

Meet the friendly Halloween characters you'll encounter on the Ghost Train

How to Find Us

Located at Southport Model Engineering Club in Victoria Park, we're easily accessible from across the Northwest. Get detailed directions from your location.

What To Expect This Year

Experience Halloween like never before at this unforgettable event for all

Immersive Train Journey

Ride through haunted tunnels and ghostly stations with special lighting effects and trackside props

Family-Friendly Spooks

Designed for all ages with friendly spirits and gentle scares - no jump scares, just spooky fun!

Safety First

Stewards in high-vis jackets, platform safety, age restrictions for children under 1.2m with adults

Spectacular Night Effects

Experience the magic as the railway comes alive with spooky lighting and atmospheric effects in darkness

Stalls, Games & Refreshments

Theres more to see before or after your Ghost Train Ride, with games, spooky food and drink and much more!

Victoria Park Setting

Located at the historic Southport Model Engineering Club, Rotten Row (next to Victoria Park), Southport, Merseyside PR8 2DA

What Our Visitors Say

Real reviews from families who've experienced our spooky train rides

5.0(4 reviews)

Su Shuttleworth

Had a fun ride on the Halloween ghost train. Staff were friendly & had made a great effort to create spooky event. Will visit again. Thank you.

Adam Parkes

We went to the SMEC Ghost Train on Halloween and it was so, so good! Really fun and appropriate for all ages. It was just the perfect atmosphere and you could see a lot of effort had been put in. They said this was the first one but definitely want to go again if it's running next year - fingers crossed it is! 6 stars out of 5

Sanity

Thank you all for the cutest, most special Halloween event we have visited!Many places offer a specific Halloween approach, some companies try too hard, but your event offered a different approach completely. There were many different inflated characters, with an adorable light tunnel and effects throughout which we thoroughly enjoyed as we were escorted around the track by one of the mini steam trains, and of course, with the ghost driver. The train wasn't overloaded at all which was value to the experience as we could look around at the characters clearly on our journey. The staff were in character dress which wasn't too daunting for the children. My son is 12 years old and this was also suitable for older children who still like to join in Halloween fun. The price was perfect , please don't change it. Thankyou all for providing an amazing event in our own town. Well done to you all. We're looking forward to next year.I would suggest that you could place signs to the location as we were stood near the park gate for some time before we realised that the entrance was further down the road.

Helen Palfreyman

We had so much fun at the Ghost train experience for Halloween weekend! Everyone had done an amazing job with the set up; it was fun, spooky and the kids loved it! Some lovely opportunities for photos too. The staff really went all out and looked brilliant in their Halloween costumes. Well done everyone, I would absolutely 100% come back again.

Event Information

📅 Event Details

Dates:

Friday 30th – Saturday 31st October 2026

Times:

4pm – 8pm each night

4 hours of spooky train rides

Southport Model Engineering Club

Rotten Row (next to Victoria Park)

Southport, Merseyside PR8 2DA

Locomotives:

Ghost Train with a live steam or diesel battery electric locomotive (randomly allocated)

🎫 Ticket Information

Limited Tickets Available

Pricing:

Tickets £8 · £5 under 3s / under 90cm

Age Restrictions:

Children under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult

Ride Duration:

approx 6-8 minutes (safety briefing, boarding, spooky train ride, disembark)

Sensory & Accessibility Guide

We want everyone to enjoy the Ghost Train experience safely

🎭 Sensory Experience

  • ✓Gentle lighting effects and atmospheric sounds
  • ✓No sudden loud noises or jump scares
  • ✓Friendly actors and characters
  • ✓Moderate smoke effects in some areas
  • ✓Neuro-inclusive sessions (4pm-5:30pm) for younger families

See our Access Guide for more Accessbility Information for the website and when visiting onsite.

♿ Accessibility

  • ✓Clear pathways and temporary lighting
  • ✓Stewards available for assistance
  • ✓Accessible toilet facilities nearby
  • ✓Parking next to Victoria Park on Rotten Row - accessible parking please contact for more information
  • ✓Please note, due to the nature of our track, we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or pushchairs on the ride itself.

For specific accessibility requirements or questions, please contact us via halloween@southportmec.com or our Facebook page

Sensory Rides Session Time

Neuro-inclusive sessions with reduced effects

Sensory-Friendly Experience

We're pleased to offer Sensory-Friendly Rides during our neuro-inclusive sessions between 4pm and 5:30pm on all dates for visitors who prefer a gentler experience.

🕐 Session Details:

  • • Time: Neuro-inclusive sessions between 4pm and 5:30pm on all dates
  • • Setting: Daytime/dusk lighting - not in darkness
  • • Effects: Reduced sound effects and music levels
  • • Atmosphere: Gentler, more accessible experience

🎯 Perfect For:

  • • Visitors with sensory sensitivities
  • • Young children who prefer less intense experiences
  • • Anyone wanting to enjoy the railway in daylight
  • • First-time visitors who want a preview

📞 Enquire for Details

For more information about Sensory-Friendly Rides, availability, and booking details:

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Ghost Train experience

Each ticket is for one passenger (like any real railway). Each Ghost Train ticket gives that passenger 1x ride on the Ghost Train at your allotted time only. Children aged 3 to 16 on a standard ticket also receive a mystery spooky goody bag after the train ride. The Stalls, Games and Refreshments have additional charges (which will vary) and are not included in the Ghost Train ticket.
Tickets are £8 per passenger.

There is a reduced £5 ticket for children who are under 3 years old or under 90cm tall — either one qualifies. If a child is 3 or over, or 90cm or over, the standard £8 ticket applies.

The £5 ticket does not include a goody bag, as the contents of the goody bag are not suitable for children under 3.
We suggest that this ride is suitable for children aged 3 and over. If you will have a younger child with you, please select the “under 3 years” option — but be aware that this ticket type does not include a goody bag, as the contents are not suitable for younger children.

A child who is 3 or over, or 90cm or over, needs a standard £8 ticket.

Please choose carefully: we may refuse entry without a refund if the wrong ticket type has been bought.
The mystery spooky goody bag is for children aged 3 to 16 on a standard £8 ticket.

Adults pay the same £8 but do not receive a goody bag, and the reduced £5 ticket does not include one either — the contents are not suitable for children under 3.
Yes. If you bought tickets before Saturday 12 September 2026 at 1pm and any of them are for a child under 3 years old or under 90cm tall, you can claim back the difference between the two ticket prices.

You can either have a partial refund of the difference, or a voucher worth £3 to spend at the games stall — whichever you prefer. The voucher has no cash value and can only be used at the games stall on the night of your session.

If you would rather not go ahead at all, you can ask for a full refund instead, which cancels your booking — just let us know by Friday 23 October 2026.

Email halloween@southportmec.com with your booking reference and we will sort it out.
The Ghost Train is run by the members and volunteers of Southport Model Engineering Club, not by a commercial operator. Your ticket does not just pay for Halloween weekend — it goes towards the running costs of the site and the railway all year round.

We have kept the price as low as we can: at £8 per passenger the Ghost Train is still one of the more affordable Halloween attractions in the North West, and everything we take goes back into the club.
Tickets are non-transferable, as they are booked for a specific day and time slot.
For Operational and Safety reasons, we can only run at a max capacity per half hour. By booking your tickets (one ticket per passenger) you are reserving rides on the Ghost Train within your booked time slot. Without a booking and due to limited capacity we may not be able to accommodate non-booked guests on the day. To avoid disappointment please book your tickets - remember you need one ticket per person.
Yes you can buy the tickets here on our website. Our third party partners process your Ticket Order (Ticket Tailor) and Card Payments (Stripe). Card Payments will appear as "southportmec.com" or "SMECTRAINS".
We're located at Southport Model Engineering Club, Rotten Row (next to Victoria Park), Southport, Merseyside PR8 2DA. We're easily accessible from across the North West including Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, and surrounding areas. Visit our How to Find Us page for detailed directions from your area, parking information, public transport options, and local tips to help plan your journey.
Yes! ITV Granada Reports broadcast live from the SMEC Ghost Train on Friday 31st October 2025, with a huge thank you to Zoe and Simon for making it such fun. The Ghost Train interview starts 23 minutes in. Watch the broadcast and see the photos.
Emails with your booking information are sent via our booking partner TicketTailor - please first check your spam/junk mailbox, and if not received please contact us via our email or facebook page to have it resent.
We use two types of locomotives: Live Steam Locomotives (traditional coal-fired engines providing authentic railway atmosphere) and Diesel Battery Electric Locomotives (modern, quiet electric power for smooth rides). Due to operational reasons and limited capacity, passengers cannot choose which locomotive type they ride. If you purchase multiple tickets, you may experience different trains, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Our Ghost Train is designed to be family-friendly with gentle scares and friendly characters. We avoid jump scares and focus on creating a spooky but fun atmosphere suitable for all ages. Recommended minimum age 3+ at parent/guardian discretion when accompanied by a responsible adult.
Each Ghost Train ride lasts approx 6-8 minutes (safety briefing, boarding, spooky train ride, disembark), taking you through our 1,708 ft track with haunted tunnels, ghostly stations, and special effects along the way.
Where practical we shall endeavour to keep groups and bookings together. For Operational and Safety reasons, train lengths may vary from 3 Passengers (Single Truck) to 7 Passengers (Double Truck). Due to height restrictions, Please ensure each truck has a responsible adult with minors and children who are under 1.2m
All staff wear high-visibility orange jackets and name badges. We have stewards positioned at stations and crossings, temporary lighting for the event, and height restrictions requiring children under 1.2m to be accompanied by an adult.
Paths will be clear and lit throughout the event. Please note, due to the nature of our track, we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or pushchairs on the ride itself. Please ask any of our stewards if you require assistance. If you choose to leave wheelchairs or pushchairs on the platform area whilst on the ride, you do so at your own risk.
Due to the safety of visitors, patreons and members and volunteers during the event, there is no parking on site. Parking is available on Rotten row and surrounding areas. Please allow extra time for parking during busy periods. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before your session start time. The Southport Model Engineering Club is easily accessible from Rotten Row. View detailed directions from your area for parking information and local tips. Please contact us if you have any additional access requirements.
The Ghost Train will operate in light rain, but may be suspended during severe weather for safety reasons. Please check our Facebook page for any weather-related updates before traveling.
For your safety: Please follow all instructions from our high-visibility stewards at all times. Stay in designated areas and do not enter restricted zones. Watch your step on platforms and around tracks - surfaces may be uneven. Keep children supervised at all times. No smoking or vaping anywhere on site. Alcohol, weapons, fireworks and other dangerous items are prohibited and NOT allowed on site. If you have mobility concerns, please inform our stewards who can provide assistance. In case of emergency, follow steward instructions for evacuation procedures.
Appropriate footwear is required - closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times (no flip-flops, sandals, or high heels). Dress warmly and bring waterproof clothing as this is an outdoor evening event. Children under 1.2m (4ft) must be accompanied by an adult on the train. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your allocated slot. Anyone with medical conditions, pregnant guests, or those who may be affected by flashing lights, loud sounds, or smoke effects should consider their suitability for this attraction.
Yes! We offer Sensory-Friendly Rides during our neuro-inclusive sessions between 4pm and 5:30pm on all dates, with reduced effects, music levels, and daytime/dusk lighting instead of darkness. These are perfect for visitors with sensory sensitivities or young children. See our Sensory Rides Session Time section for full details, or contact us via halloween@southportmec.com or Facebook for availability and booking information.
CCTV is in operation on site for the safety and security of our club members and visitors, as per our CCTV Policy.
Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted at the Event. However, alcoholic beverages may not be brought onto the premises. Refreshments and snacks are available for purchase at the venue. Please dispose of all litter responsibly in the bins provided.
For safety and operational reasons, pets are not permitted at the Event. However, assistance animals are welcome in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Please let us know in advance (where possible) if you will be bringing one, so we can make any necessary arrangements to help you on the day.
For safety reasons, photography and filming are not permitted whilst the trains are in motion. However, you are welcome to take photos in other areas of the Event when safe to do so.
Appropriate footwear is required - please wear closed-toe shoes with good grip (no flip-flops, sandals, or high heels). The event is outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather, including warm, waterproof clothing in cold or wet conditions. Costumes are welcome but must be safe - no sharp objects, realistic weapons, or items causing obstruction or distress to guests or staff whilst at the event.

Stay Connected

📍 Visit Us

Southport Model Engineering Club

Rotten Row (next to Victoria Park)

Southport, Merseyside PR8 2DA

Regular Train Rides

Every Sunday, 11am - 4pm

(Weather permitting)

Please check our socials for latest information before visiting for train rides

Ready for the Adventure?

Join us for an unforgettable Halloween experience at the SMEC Ghost Train 2026

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