Christmas Train of Lights

The Dartmouth Steam Railway runs the Christmas Train of Lights, which it describes as a multi-award-winning Christmas experience and the UK's first steam train of lights. The show can only be viewed from the train as it travels the line from Paignton to Kingswear.

The journey starts at Queen's Park Station, Paignton, where vintage carriages are decorated with thousands of lights inside and out. About fifteen minutes later the train reaches Churston Station, where the show begins; shortly after, it passes through the 450-metre Greenway tunnel into an enchanted forest transformed by lights. The show ends as the train leaves the forest and sees the lights of Dartmouth reflected in the River Dart. After a turnaround at Kingswear, where passengers may get off to take photographs from the platform, the train returns to Paignton so that the display is seen from the other direction.

The experience lasts about 80 minutes. A separate option, Train of Lights plus Santa, is sold for those who want a visit from Santa; Santa does not visit if only the Train of Lights is booked.

A roughly 80-minute evening return journey from Paignton to Kingswear, viewed from a decorated vintage train, with allocated seating. The Head of Steam cafe at the station serves tea, coffee, hot chocolate and snacks, and toilets are on the train.

Starts at Queen's Park Station, Paignton. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Fully ticketed with allocated seating, so pre-booking is essential; to sit with another party, tell the railway at booking. A wheelchair-specific carriage is available but must be booked by telephone or in person at Paignton station, not online. Only registered disability assistance dogs are allowed. Tickets can be collected from mid-November at Queen's Park Station, Paignton (only), or delivered for a fee.