Churnet Valley Railway is steaming ahead with a programme of events ahead of the return of services for 2021, including a show-stopping finale with the arrival of The Polar Express train ride.
Tickets (from £24.95) for Christmas 2021 will be on sale from 1st June.
After being forced to close due to covid in October 2020, times have been hard for the heritage railway over the winter and spring due to the line’s enforced closure.
Some 33 weeks since the last service arrived, the fires are being relit as the railway readies itself to welcome passengers once more.
With a busy programme of service trains and dining experiences planned, the line is tipped to be one of the best places for believers to experience a magical Christmas this year as the classic festive film Polar Express is brought to life with a live-action theatrical performance onboard the train.
The adventure comes to life when the train departs for a round-trip journey to the “North Pole”. Led by a cast of actors, and set to the film soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story from the comfort of their own seats.
Once onboard, the conductor will work his way through the coach and punch golden tickets before hot chocolate and cookies are served by dancing chefs. The North Pole-bound passengers then read along with Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book, The Polar Express. Santa and his helpers will then board the train to greet passengers, and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas.
During the trip, characters in each carriage lead fantastic onboard entertainment – just like in the Oscar-nominated award-winning film.
To register, visit churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/polar-express-train-ride
All customers who requested to defer their booking from 2020’s cancelled Santa and Steam Adventure will be upgraded free of charge to The Polar Express train ride following agreement with the licence holders.
(Photo: Dave R Gibson Photography).
