Santa Specials — Amerton Railway

Amerton Railway runs its Santa Specials from Amerton Station in Staffordshire. The operator describes a steam train ride to Toyland to meet Santa, with a hand-picked gift for children, while the train meanders through the fields past the Staffordshire countryside.

Tickets are sold by the compartment, not by the person. Each compartment receives a goodie bag with treats, colouring sheets, puzzles and colouring pencils. Children receive a hand-picked Christmas present from Santa, and adults a warm mince pie with sherry or orange juice. The operator says it has presents for children of all ages, from babies to nine and over, and that this is a narrow gauge steam train. The operator notes that there is only one small, one large and one accessible compartment per train, and asks passengers who want to sit together to pick compartments next to each other on the same carriage.

The event is organised by volunteers to support the charity that maintains Amerton Railway's heritage steam and diesel locomotives. The operator adds that over the years it has hosted marriage proposals with the ring presented by Santa, baby gender reveals and birthday surprises, and that it can arrange special requests if contacted in advance.

A steam train journey of roughly half an hour to three-quarters of an hour (the operator's booking page says 30 to 45 minutes) to Toyland, where Santa gives each child a hand-picked present. Each compartment gets a goodie bag with treats, colouring sheets, puzzles and pencils, and adults get a warm mince pie and sherry or orange juice. Santa's gifts depend on the age and gender given at booking. The carriages are partly open to the elements, so the operator asks you to wrap up warm.

Trains board at Amerton Station, Amerton Railway, Stowe-by-Chartley, Stafford ST18 0LA. Booking is required: tickets are for an entire compartment and each booking is non-transferable. Bookings close at midnight the day before, so you cannot book for a train on the day you travel. The operator notes that there is only one small, one large and one accessible compartment per train; the accessible compartment carries one wheelchair and a bench for three adults, and seats six if booked without a wheelchair. To sit together in several compartments, choose compartments next to each other on the same carriage in the booking system. You are asked the age and gender of each child so Santa can choose a suitable present. Arrive 15 minutes before your booked train time and check in at the Ticket Office; trains leave on time. Prams and pushchairs do not fit in the historic carriages and can be left in the pram parking area on the platform. Large groups can book a whole train by contacting santa@amertonrailway.co.uk or 01889 271337. Tickets are sold through FareHarbor or by phone only.