We took our 4 Yr and 5 months old boys on the santa train yesterday. Lovely festive feeling from the moment we stepped onto the platform, getting hot chocolate from... read more the cafe (which is converted train carriages) to stepping off again. Elf Marc provided our entertainment singing and dancing and getting everyone whipped up on the way to the station (North Pole) where santa boarded and greeted each child by name as he walked down the carriages and gave them a gift. Adults also recieved a pen. The grotto in carriage C was lovely and once we got back into the station we were able to visit santa again and take pics. Wonderful experience and will definitely be going again next year.

  Visited for the Santa train today with three young children (2,3 and 6) and I cannot believe how bad it was. The children were given presents in a plastic bag,... read more Santa’s beard was falling off, his outfit was old and dirty, and the elf who ‘entertained’ us was just odd.

There was no effort put into any of it. It lasted around 30 minutes and the presents that the children received were cheap and not age appropriate. The adult ‘gift’ was a pen advertising the railway.

To try to make at least one part of it enjoyable for the children, we went to the cafe afterwards for a hot chocolate...to find that they had run out and it was only 2.30pm.

It was all a shambles. Extremely badly organized and nothing like it was advertised.

  A very enjoyable entertaining treat for Christmas. All staff worked really hard for this event. Each child got a gift with their name on and the adults got a gift... read more too. The train ride was just long enough to keep young children engaged and it was great fun to see children and adults joining in with the sing a long. Will be going again next year.

  8 of us attended the Santa special yesterday,its hard to believe that these events are run by volunteers.
The attention to detail, the layout, decoration, gifts etc.
Absolutely fantastic experience... read more and genuinely lovely people!
Parking was the only issue we had on the day.

  What a great couple of hours spent with family at a volunteer run station and train. The station is great, a flash to a bygone era and we had a... read more look in the small museum and shop before having a hot drink and a snack in the cafe carriage, whilst we waited for our departure time. The outbound journey to the North Pole was good and the kids and adults all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Santa came through the carriages giving gifts to the children and the adults each got a pen, which was an unexpected touch. On the return journey the elves got everyone involved in a sing and dance, which was great cheesy fun. Once back at the station, there was a photo with Santa and then we had a look at the engine and our youngest was very happy to have his photo with the driver on the loco footplate. All round good fun and for a great volunteer workforce, I salute them.

Not sure what experiences others had, but we for sure had a great time and highly recommend. I guess it's all about expectations and attitude. Keep up the good work.

  We (my two friends and I) visitied Sunday last (13th Spet '20) after having to postpone the week prior and wer elucky enough to getthe last 'compartment' :) We had... read more a lovely time and everyone was so friendly and the staff and volunteers are to be commended for making us feel so welcome. Yes, the railway is (for now) only a short ride there and back, but it was so relaxing and for all of us (as we are of a certain age (!) very nostalgic...the 'safety' (virus) arrangements were really efficiently done too; each 'party' had a compartment for themselevs so no problem there :) I think those old Mk1 carriages should be made compulsory on today's railways :) So comfortable compared to the awful claustrophobic seating etc on modern railway stock..well done to you all and we will visit again :) Regards John D and Co x (Sheffield)