North Pole Express — Tanfield Railway

The Tanfield Railway, which preserves North East England's industrial railway heritage and describes itself as the world's oldest railway, runs its North Pole Express from East Tanfield Station. The operator says passengers first meet the North Pole Express ticket conductor, are entertained by Santa's elves with song and dance, and then board a steam-hauled train to the North Pole.

At the North Pole, passengers visit Father Christmas in his grotto and each child receives a special gift. The operator lists festive refreshments for adults and children, Christmas activities, a Jingles Elf Show at East Tanfield and a North Pole Express tote bag to take home, and says the experience starts and finishes at East Tanfield Station.

The operator gives the whole experience as around two to two and a quarter hours, with about ten to fifteen minutes on the train each way. It describes the event as mainly outdoors.

About two to two and a quarter hours in all, with ten to fifteen minutes on the steam train each way. Elves sing and dance before boarding, then Father Christmas's grotto at the North Pole with a gift for every child, festive treats, Christmas activities and the Jingles Elf Show. The event is mainly outdoors: the operator asks visitors to dress for the cold with sturdy footwear. There is no heating on the train.

Starts and finishes at East Tanfield Station, County Durham DH9 9UY. Car parking is free but space is limited, so the operator asks visitors to car share; disabled parking is available. Male, female and accessible toilets with baby change are at East Tanfield and at the North Pole; there are no toilets on the train. The accessible compartment takes one wheelchair user with up to four people travelling alongside, booked through the adult or child in a wheelchair ticket. Only assistance animals are allowed. Dietary requirements can be catered for if the railway is told in advance. Tickets are booked online in advance and a booking fee is added to the ticket price. Carers' tickets are arranged by e-mail after the rest of the party has booked. E-mail: info@tanfield-railway.co.uk.