For those who haven’t travelled on a Santa Special train before here is what to expect:

Your train will leave from Sittingbourne Viaduct station so you will arrive here and access the station using our step-free route. Checking-in at the Ticket Office you will be issued with your ticket pack which details your trip and includes personalised Christmas cards for the children in your party. You will be asked for the children’s names when booking your tickets.

After the 15-minute journey to Kemsley Down, behind one of the original steam locomotives, you will be met by Santa or his elves. Passengers with Group 1 tickets (this will be in your pack) will go to Santa’s Grotto whilst other ticket holders, or those not visiting Santa, go directly to the Footplate Café.

Santa’s Grotto: children will need to be accompanied as they will queue to meet Santa in his grotto, have a few minutes to speak to him and then select an unwrapped gift from a selection of age appropriate toys. They will then head across to the Footplate Café.

Santa’s Workshop: There will be a craft activity which you can take home with you.

Footplate Café: adults will be able to collect their seasonal refreshments (sausage roll, mince pie, an item from the tray, tea/coffee/hot chocolate) which is part of the fare, additional food & drinks can be purchased (children do not receive food – they’ve got a present from Santa!). You will be asked for details of any food allergies or preferences when booking your tickets.

Each Ticket Group will be called for when it is time to change activity.

The train will then return to Sittingbourne Viaduct station at the time shown on your ticket to complete the entire trip within two hours.

Fares this year are £18 for over 3s and £12 for under 3s and SKLR members, this includes the return train fare and present for children or refreshments for adults. Please state in your booking or email bookings@sklr.net if you have an adult who would like to see Santa or any other Santa-related requests.

The train

Coach A – ‘Holly Wreath’ – Capacity of 14 passengers

Timetable

Trains depart Sittingbourne Viaduct station at: 11am, 12pm*, 2pm & 3pm*.

Seats must be booked in advance.

*The 12pm and 3pm trains cannot be booked until large groups have had a chance of booking on to these trains, remaining tickets will be available from 1st November.

The journey takes 15 minutes each way – the whole trip will take around two hours.

Fares