There will be plenty of opportunities to meet Santa on the narrow gauge railways in the weekends leading up to Christmas.

On the Welsh Highland Railway, Santa trains will whisk children who have been nice along the scenic route between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu.

As well as taking in stunning views of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, passengers will be able to meet Father Christmas and his elves on the journey.

Parents can enjoy a glass of sherry along the way and complimentary hampers will be given out on boarding the train.

Santa and the elves will pose for photos and selfies while the train turns around at Rhyd Ddu, before hopping back on for the return journey.

Caernarfon Station will also host the ‘Gwyl Fwyd’ Christmas Market on Saturday, 16th November. This food market is one of two Christmas markets in the town on that date.

Being a busy man, Santa will also be welcoming visitors to his ‘Magical Carriage Grotto’ at Porthmadog Harbour Station on the Ffestiniog Railway.

Helped by his elves, he will be handing out gifts in a specially-converted railway carriage.

Short rides on the ‘Elf Express’, making the half hour return trip between Porthmadog and Minffordd, will also be operating.

Both railways will also run festive trains between Christmas and New Year, from 28th December to 1st January.

After the hectic Christmas festivities, these specials will be a chance to sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery surrounding both railways.

The Welsh Highland Railway’s ‘Christmas Cwellyn’ service will take passengers on a wintry 2-hour 20-minute journey through the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

Offering views towards Harlech Castle, towering mountains and the impressive slate tips at Blaenau Ffestiniog, the ‘Christmas Mountain Spirit’ will steam between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog and back over 3 hours.

Santa will not be riding either of these trains and will, no doubt, be having a well-deserved rest far away in Lapland!

Booking for all trains, except the ‘Elf Express’, and for the ‘Magical Carriage Grotto’ is strongly advised and is now open on the Railways’ joint website, where information can also be found about the workshops and tours available for adults at Porthmadog’s Boston Lodge Workshop.