The Nene Valley Railway (NVR) recently posted on their Facebook page that this year, they have had over 20,000 bookings for their Santa Special train service.

NVR usually gets between 17,000 and 18,000 people visit in December, to ride on a Santa Special train.

This year has proven to be one of their busiest on record.

Standard 2 No. 78018, returning to the line, along with Bulleid Battle of Britain Class No. 34081 “92 Squadron”, haul the service.

Being one of the first preserved railways to run Santa Specials, the service has become more popular over time.

Santa Specials usually carry around one-third of total passengers in a year, being an important source of income. This also requires the best part of 100 volunteers, along with the small team of paid staff, to help run the Santa Specials. Jobs ranging from Footplate crew to catering staff, and Santa himself!

Despite its popularity, NVR may still have some spaces aboard up-coming Santa Specials. Please visit NVR’s website here to check to see whether any spaces are still available and for more information.

• Visit the Nene Valley Railway Website
  For more information