The steam train at Gloucestershire and Warwickshire railway is once again hosting the Santa Express. The special Christmas service is a nod towards the popular Christmas Film The Polar Express where children who believe in Santa go on a Magical Journey to the North Pole.
Whilst this particular Journey doesn’t take you to the North Pole it does take you from the station by Cheltenham Racecourse to the station at Winchcombe. There is a winter wonderland of lights awaiting visitors with decorations and trees as well as Santa, who is ready to talk to all the children who visit him there.
Racheal McCarthy has been on the express with her children and said, “I think it definitely makes Christmas more Magical for the little ones, and the Presents from Santa were quite good.” She added, “I think it is more geared to children eight years old and under.”
Rachel Bussby hasn’t been on the steam train since it has been decked out for Christmas, but she did say she went on the normal steam train before she had kids. “I remember going on with my grandparents and there was a group of school children who were doing what seemed to be a WW2 evacuation. I remember their excitement so I imagine throwing in Christmas and that excitement only doubles”. Rachel also spoke about how her and her family cycle along the line regularly and love seeing the steam train go past.
Chris Whiskers said he and his family go on the steam train every year on Boxing Day, which is a tradition he loves.
This year the Santa express is being pulled by Locomotive 5526 from the South Devon Railway in a locomotive swap with engine 7820 Dinmore Manor.
The service has been running every weekend since 25 November and will run every day from the 18-23 December.
