Santa Special — Midland Railway Butterley

The Midland Railway – Butterley runs its Santa Special steam train from Butterley Station in Ripley, Derbyshire. The operator says Santa wanders through the heritage carriages and stops at every seat to meet each child, while his elves deliver a cookie to every passenger's seat. Every child receives a gift and a colouring book with pencils.

After the train ride, the Pinxton Puppet Show is performed in a heated and decorated marquee, which also houses an animatronics display. The operator lists the whole event as a one-hour round trip, with free parking.

Passengers can choose their own seats when booking. A private compartment for up to six passengers is also sold, with only seven compartments on each trip. The operator says the Santa Special trains are planned to be steam hauled, but reserves the right to use another locomotive or train if necessary.

A round trip of about one hour behind a steam locomotive, with Santa meeting each child at their seat, a gift and a colouring book with pencils for every child, and a cookie for every passenger. Afterwards the Pinxton Puppet Show is performed in a heated marquee with an animatronics display. Hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks are sold from the platform tea room, and there is an on-train bar in the buffet car.

Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3QZ. The operator recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before departure to park, collect tickets at the booking office and buy hot drinks; the time at the start of the booking slot is the departure time. Seats can be chosen when booking. The heritage carriages date from the 1950s: passengers need to be able to walk a short distance and manage the steps or an access ramp, and wheelchairs are stowed in the luggage compartment; the operator asks passengers with reduced mobility to phone before booking. Only assistance dogs are allowed on the Santa Special trains. The Swanwick Junction museum site cannot be visited during the Santa Specials. Phone: 01773 570140.