Santa Trains Make Creating Family Memories Easy throughout Britain.  From pretend journeys to the North Pole in winter and riding the Hogwarts Express to mystery nights, spooky tales and mince pies, taking a train in England, Scotland or Wales is more fun than ever. All aboard! 

Inverness-shire, A Scottish Santa Express (December). For five days this December Santa can be found aboard some special trains of the Strathspey Steam Railway. He’ll be handing out gifts to children 2-12 years of age and mince pies and sherry for the adults. Bill Roberton provided us with snowy image of the actual train and it is featured above. The rail experience: Relive the nostalgia of rail excursions of the 1950s to 1960s period. This winter journey will take passengers through the Highlands from Aviemore, Scotland. Bonus points: Enjoy a special holiday treat as children (2-12) receive a gift from Santa and others a mince pie & drink. (Strathspey Steam Railway Aviemore Station, Dalfaber Road, Aviemore, Inverness-shire. +44 (0) 1479 810725 or www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk)

Leicestershire, Santa Trains, Yummy Food and Festivities (End of November through December). Travelers on the Great Central Railway steam trains can take a trip with Santa Claus this season, enjoy festive refreshments such as mince pie and sherry (or soda) and sweets as well as gift-giving with Santa  for the children. The rail experience: This year’s journey will last approximately 55 minutes and travel from Loughborough to Leicester North and back on a steamed-hauled Santa Special train. (Great Central Railway, Great Central Station, Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire. www.gcrailway.co.uk)

Lancashire, Classic Rails with Christmas Feasts and a Jolly Old Elf (December). Everyone gets a gift from Santa on the East Lancashire Railway this holiday season – even the adults. Traveling from Bury (Bolton Street) to Ramsbottom and back the luxury Pullman style dining trains are a great place to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the season as a family. The rail experience: The train journey will take passengers roundtrip from Bury to Ramsbottom and back to Bury. (East Lancashire Railway Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire. www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk)

Gwynedd, Tremau Sion Corn - Santa Specials in Wales.(end of December). This holiday season climb about the steam locomotive Santa Special to “Plas Nadolig”. Every child will meet Santa and receive a gift, there’s even time for a picture with Santa before the train departs “Plas Nadolig” for the return journey. At the end of the journey there will be seasonal treats awaiting passengers at the complimentary buffet. The rail experience: The journey will take just over three hours beginning at Tywyn Wharft and returning there after a visit to “Plas Nadolig” (The North Pole). Bonus points: Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol. (Talyllyn Railway, Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd. 01654 710472, +44 1654 710472 or www.talyllyn.co.uk)
 
Content researched and posted by Nancy Nelson-Duac, Curator of the Good Stuuf for the Family Travel Files. Copyright updated 2016.