Santa's magical Christmas charity train trips across Scotland
All aboard the Santa Express!
The Santa Express will be making tracks this Christmas as Scotrail announces a series of charity fundraising trips with Santa on board!
The journeys will run in December from Edinburgh Waverley, including a very special day out travelling through Scotland’s spectacular winter scenery to Boat of Garten on the Strathspey Steam Railway in the Cairngorms.
The trains are a partnership between ScotRail, the Railway Children charity and Father Christmas.
Railway Children fights for vulnerable children who live alone and at risk on the streets, where they suffer abuse and exploitation
See Scotland's magical wintery scenery
Scotrail’s Inter7City high speed trains will be decked out in a festive theme and Santa will be walking up and down the train in person to hand out gifts.
The first Santa Express will leave Edinburgh Waverley on Saturday, 4 December for an eight-hour round trip to Boat of Garten.
On 11 and 18 December, there will be two specials on each of the days leaving Edinburgh Waverley and travelling around the Fife Circle line, one in the morning and the second in the afternoon.
Children will receive treats and activities on board including a magician and a visit from Father Christmas. Adults won’t be left out with treats for them including a hot drink and festive snacks.
The Railway Children charity will benefit from all ticket sales, and ScotRail staff are donating the presents for the children to receive on the train.
Find out more: Scotrail Santa Express
David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said: “It’ll be great to see the faces of all the children, and maybe the parents too, when Father Christmas hands out presents to them on the train.
“These five Santa Express trains will be a brilliant addition to the festive fun in the lead up to the big day.”
Terina Keene, Railway Children CEO, said: “Thank you so much to ScotRail for supporting us with this lovely, festive event.
“It should be a brilliant experience for everyone and a great start to the Christmas season at the same time as raising funds to help us reach vulnerable children and families around the world.”