As announced last month, Hampshire heritage railway The Watercress Line has this year added singing Christmas trees and a magical ‘Snowlight Cascade’ to its annual festive Steam Illuminations.

The new features add to the thousands of lights covering the inside and outside of a steam train, which have been featured in The Watercress Line’s events in previous years.

The Line has hosted Steam Illuminations since 2020.

Steam Illuminations trains will run from Friday 29 November until Saturday 4 January, and tickets are now available from the Railway’s website.

On board the trains, LED lights synchronise with passengers’ festive wristbands to create a ‘sound to light’ show of colours and patterns, and there will be a ‘Canopy of Lights’ in every carriage.

The show will be hosted by ‘Voiceover Man’ of Britain’s Got Talent and X-Factor fame, and will include a singalong FlashyOke game.

There will also be musical accompaniment to the festive fun.

The Steam Illuminations train services will depart from Alresford and Alton stations and will take passengers on a one-and-three-quarter-hour round trip on the Line’s ten-mile route through the countryside along the border of the South Downs National Park.

Passengers may order festive treat boxes and drinks boxes in advance and collect them at the station before departure.

“Steam Illuminations is a much-loved seasonal tradition at The Watercress Line and this year we are delighted to announce an even more dazzling display with stunning lighting effects, singing Christmas trees and the new Snowlight Cascade. It will be an unforgettable festive treat, capturing the spirit of the season and fantastic fun for all! Make sure you book your seats on Steam Illuminations as soon as possible, as some trains have already sold out.”

Rebecca Dalley, CEO of the Watercress Line