Volunteers create Christmas Magic as Great Central Railway prepares for the return of the Santa Express

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 19 November 2024

UPDATED: 19 November 2024

The Great Central Railway is gearing up for the most magical time of the year as it transforms its trains and stations into a winter wonderland in preparation for their much-loved Santa Express service.

The festive experience begins this weekend and runs all the way until Christmas Eve, 24th December, and is set to delight almost 6,000 children and their families with unforgettable Christmas cheer.

With festive decorations adorning the vintage trains and the stations between Loughborough Central and Leicester North, the railway has pulled out all the stops to create a truly enchanting holiday atmosphere. Visitors to the Great Central Railway will be greeted by garlands and Christmas trees festooned with sparkling lights, twinkling tinsel, and colourful baubles, before boarding The Santa Express where they will be whisked away on a magical journey, featuring fun and games, activity packs, tasty treats, presents and a very special visit from Santa Claus himself!

Malcolm Holmes, General Manager of the Great Central Railway, shared his excitement:

"We’ve been working hard to make this year’s Santa Express truly special, and I’ve honestly lost track of how many miles of lights, boxes of tinsel, and baubles we’ve used to transform our trains and stations! None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of volunteers, whose tireless efforts have brought the magic of Christmas alive for families once again. We’re so grateful for their hard work and passion this festive season."

Private Carriages

For families or groups looking to go that extra mile this year, private carriages are available that will give lucky children a private audience with Santa – so they can really go into detail on exactly what they want for Christmas, and the adults can capture it all on film.

Other special upgrades include delicious hot chocolates, a customised Santa Express mug, keepsakes and tasty chocolate novelties.

A magical part of many families’ festive celebrations and with prices held from 2023, the Santa Express promises a memorable ride filled with joy, laughter, and festive surprises for passengers of all ages.

Tickets for the Santa Express are available to book now both for standard class and for private carriages. With tickets selling quickly, families are encouraged to book early at www.gcrailway.co.uk/santa

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