Industry News

Weardale Railway has launched its 2024 Santa Express train rides, offering a record 22 dates and 74 trains operating between November 16th and December 24th, 2024. This is the largest schedule they've ever run. This week, they are delighted to announce, after seeing many of the VIP & Premium carriages completely sold out, they have released additional Carriages increasing capacity on the busier trains.

Wayne Dixon, General Manager, explains: “The Santa Express is our flagship event of the year. In previous years, we ran with only a quarter of the capacity we've offered this year, and trains traditionally sold out by the end of August. So, to see our VIP and Premium carriages selling out after launching with 74 trains this year is just incredible! We’re also welcoming some impressively large group bookings from charities, schools, and youth organisations, with the largest group booking 320 seats.”

The Santa Express journey begins with hot chocolate and a cookie upon arrival at the station, before cheeky elves take passengers on a one-hour train ride through Weardale to pick up Santa from his secret workshop deep in the Durham Dales. All aboard! Live performances take place on the train as a Christmas story unfolds, including elements of local folklore. Passengers can sing along to festive pop songs and Christmas carols, as well as two specially commissioned Santa Express songs. On the return journey, Santa visits each carriage and brings a gift for every child.

New ticket types were introduced in 2024 to suit everyone’s pocket, with a choice of Standard, Premium, and VIP. Standard carriages have airline-style seating for up to 80 guests. While up to 64 guests can be seated around tables in the Premium carriage. The VIP carriage has just 32 guests around tables and includes perks such as closer parking, larger seats, and a family souvenir, in addition to the children’s gifts.

Weardale Railway advises that all trains in the week leading up to Christmas have extremely limited availability, with VIP seats nearly sold out. With the introduction of extra carriages, Premium seats are also limited. Don’t wait—reserve your seats today to avoid disappointment.

Event Summary:

• Season: 22 days from November 16th to December 24th, with four trains per day on weekends and two on weekdays. These are fully ticketed events with limited capacity, so pre-booking is essential.
• Location: Departing from Stanhope Station (Postcode: DL13 2YS). Parking is available behind the station.
• Booking Information: For more information and to secure your seat on this year’s Santa Express, please visit the official Santa Express website or follow Weardale Railway on social media.