Trackside Prints

Santa trains finder, 2026

Pick an area to see the Santa trains we have checked there for 2026: where each one starts, the dates in the railway's own words, and a link to book on its own site.

Find a Santa train

10 Santa trains in England and Wales

  • North Norfolk Railway: Santa Specials

    Starts from Sheringham. Book on the railway's site.

    In the railway's words: "Santa Specials run at weekends from 21 November until 20 December and on 21, 22 and 23 December".

    Checked against the North Norfolk Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • Dartmouth Steam Railway: Train of Lights with Santa

    Starts from Paignton. Book on the railway's site.

    In the railway's words: "From 27th November 2026 to 23rd December 2026".

    Checked against the Dartmouth Steam Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • Bluebell Railway: Santa Specials

    Starts from Sheffield Park. Book on the railway's site, or read our guide to the line.

    In the railway's words: "Santa Specials 28th & 29th November + throughout December".

    Checked against the Bluebell Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • East Lancashire Railway: Santa Specials

    Starts from Bury Bolton Street. Book on the railway's site.

    In the railway's words: "Sat/Sun 28 - 29 November 2026" to "Thu (Xmas Eve) 24 December 2026".

    Checked against the East Lancashire Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway: Santa Express

    Starts from Toddington. Book on the railway's site.

    In the railway's words: "Saturday, November 28, 2026 - Wednesday, December 23, 2026".

    Checked against the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

A red parcel tied with ribbon under a Christmas tree, a green model steam engine on a short length of track beside it

  • Great Central Railway: Santa Express

    Starts from Loughborough Central. Book on the railway's site.

    In the railway's words: "Starting: 28/11/2026 Finishing: 24/12/2026".

    Checked against the Great Central Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: The Elf Explorer

    Starts from Oxenhope. Book on the railway's site.

    In the railway's words: "28th & 29th November, 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th-24th December".

    Checked against the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • Llangollen Railway: Santa Specials

    Starts from Llangollen. Book on the railway's site.

    In the railway's words: "Trains to Lapland running from the 28th of November up to Christmas Eve".

    Checked against the Llangollen Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • North Yorkshire Moors Railway: Santa Express

    Starts from Pickering. Book on the railway's site, or read our guide to the line.

    In the railway's words: "28th Nov 2026" to "24th Dec 2026".

    Checked against the North Yorkshire Moors Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

  • Severn Valley Railway: Santa's Steam Specials

    Starts from Kidderminster. Book on the railway's site, or read our guide to the line.

    In the railway's words: "Dates from 28 November to 24 December".

    Checked against the Severn Valley Railway's own page on 30 October 2026.

Dates are quoted from each railway's own page. We re-read those pages every night. If a railway changes its page, that line here says so until we have checked it again.

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A black and maroon steam locomotive numbered 13065 with a headboard, leading maroon carriages through rain at Rawtenstall station.
A Santa special at Rawtenstall, on the East Lancashire Railway. Photo: Steve Whalley, CC BY-SA 2.0

How the finder works

We read each railway's own Santa page and copy the dates word for word. We do not retype them, because "28th & 29th November + throughout December" is clearer in the railway's words than in ours. Each line links to the page we read, which is where you book.

Every night we read those pages again. If a railway changes its wording, or the page moves, that line here says it is being re-checked and sends you to the railway's own page. We do not keep showing a date we can no longer see.

Before you book

Book ahead. The North Norfolk Railway puts it plainly: "Advance booking is essential." Book on the railway's own site, and check what the ticket includes for adults as well as children. Some lines, such as the North Yorkshire Moors and the Severn Valley, run a relaxed Santa departure; their pages give the times.

For the stories behind each line, our Santa trains guide has more, and the Polar Express guide covers the licensed Polar Express rides, which are a different event.

The brick station building at Medstead and Four Marks lit with strings of coloured lights at dusk
Medstead and Four Marks station, dressed for the season. Photo of Medstead and Four Marks station: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0

Which railways are on the list

Ten heritage railways in England and Wales, each with a 2026 Santa page we could read on 30 October 2026. A railway is not on the list because we have not checked it yet, not because it has no Santa train. Our grouping by area is a rough guide; check the start station before you set off.

Sources: each railway's own Santa page, linked above, read 30 October 2026 and re-read nightly.

Written by Craig Fearn, Trackside Prints. Last updated .

Questions, answered

When do Santa trains start in 2026?
Of the ten we checked, the North Norfolk Railway starts on 21 November and the Dartmouth Steam Railway's page says from 27 November. Most of the others start on 28 November.
Do I need to book?
Yes. The North Norfolk Railway says advance booking is essential. Book on each railway's own site.
Why does a line say it is being re-checked?
Its page no longer shows the words we quoted. We will not show a date we cannot see, so check the railway's own page.