Santa Special Trains 2026

Hop aboard and let the Christmas magic begin! Our Santa Special steam train chugs out of Butterley Station, jingling with excitement as Santa himself wanders through the cosy heritage carriages, stopping at every seat to meet each child. Every child receives a special gift, and Santa’s cheerful elves follow along with cookies delivered to your seat for adults and children alike. Little ones will also get their very own colouring book and pencils to keep the festive creativity flowing.

But the fun doesn’t end when the train stops! Continue the adventure with the Pinxton Puppet Show in our heated, beautifully decorated marquee, and don’t miss our enchanting animatronics tableau for even more Christmas wonder.

It’s a wonderfully festive family day out you’ll be talking about until next Christmas!

This special festive treat features:

• A visit from Santa on the train.
• A gift for every child.
• A cookie delivered to your seat for all adults and children.
• A colouring book and pencils for each child.
• Pinxton Puppet Show in a heated and decorated marquee after your train journey.
• Animatronics tableau.

Treat Yourself to a Santa Special Private Compartment Experience!

Treat your family or friends to a festive escape in your very own private compartment! Perfect for up to six passengers, each compartment comes with all the festive goodies of standard class — plus the added luxury of your own cosy space. You can even add up to two little ones on an adult’s lap when booking.

With only seven compartments available per trip, they’re sure to go fast — so grab yours early and avoid disappointment!

How to Book

If you are booking for a large friend or family group, we suggest booking together where possible to allow us to seat your group together.

Unfortunately we are unable to take bookings in person at Butterley Office during the week.

We also offer 10% discount for groups of 20 or more, this discount will apply automatically at the checkout stage of the booking.

We don’t currently offer any other type of discount on our Santa Special Trains. However if you need any assistance or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.

By telephone: We accept most major debit and credit cards, so call us with your requirements and your card details on 01773 570140.  Please note telephone bookings attract a £5 surcharge.

For our terms and conditions please click here.

*Event details may be subject to change

Planning your Visit to the Santa Specials

• We recommend that you arrive at Butterley Station at least 30 minutes before your train departs.  This allows time for parking, collecting your tickets from the booking office, and purchasing hot drinks etc. from the tea room on the platform before boarding your train. The time shown at the start of the booking slot is the time the train departs.
• The train journey is approximately a one hour round trip.
• Hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks are available on the platform at Butterley Station once you’ve collected your tickets and before you board the train.
• A selection of snacks, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are available at the on-train bar located in the buffet car.

• Shelter is provided by a large heated and decorated marquee with an animatronics display. This is also the venue for the Pinxton Puppet Show after your train ride. Refreshments are available on train buffet car.
• We are unable to accept dogs on the Santa Special Trains, with the exception of assistance dogs.
• We make all efforts to provide access for those with reduced mobility.  The trains we use for the Santa Specials were designed in the 1950s, and unfortunately were not built with access to people of reduced mobility in mind.  We can currently accommodate passengers who can walk a short distance whilst our volunteers safely stow their wheelchair in the luggage compartment, and we do offer access ramps.  Please ring to discuss any specific needs or requirements concerning persons of reduced mobility you may have prior to booking.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ BEFORE MAKING YOUR BOOKING

New for 2026 – you can choose your seats when booking.

For larger groups, we recommend making one booking wherever possible, as this gives us the best opportunity to seat your party together.

If you are booking separately but would like to sit with another booking, please make your bookings as close together as possible. We will do our best to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that separate bookings can be seated together, particularly where changes or additional passengers are added at a later date.

We may need to alter your chosen seat location due to changes to the train or carriage configuration, or other operational requirements. If we need to move your seats, we will contact you by email before your booking date with your revised seat location.

If you would like to sit near the on-board bar, you can select a suitable seat when booking, subject to availability.

The Train

Our Santa Special trains are planned to be steam hauled. However, heritage railway operations can sometimes be affected by locomotive availability, mechanical issues or other operational requirements. We therefore reserve the right to use an alternative locomotive or train if necessary.

Accessibility

We welcome visitors with reduced mobility and will do our best to make your visit as comfortable and accessible as possible.

Please be aware that our Santa Special trains are heritage carriages dating from the 1950s and were not designed with modern accessibility requirements in mind. Passengers need to be able to walk a short distance and manage the steps or an access ramp onto the train.

Wheelchairs can be safely stored in the luggage compartment during the journey.

If you have reduced mobility or any specific accessibility requirements, please contact us before booking so that we can discuss your needs and advise you on the options available.

Dogs

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept dogs on the Santa Special trains, with the exception of assistance dogs.

Swanwick Junction

Please note that it is not possible to visit the Swanwick Junction site during Santa Specials.

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancelled bookings will only be eligible for a refund where at least 14 days’ notice is given. A £5 administration charge will be deducted from any refund.

Bookings cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice are non-refundable.

If you experience any issues during your visit, please raise them with a member of our team on the day wherever possible, so that we have the opportunity to resolve them at the time.

Midland Railway – Butterley reserves the right to amend or cancel the event where necessary. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, you will receive a full refund.

By completing your booking, you acknowledge and accept the information above.

Midland Railway – Butterley reserve the right to amend or cancel the event at any time.

Please note that it is not possible to visit the Swanwick Junction Museum site during Santa Specials.