SANTA STEAM TRAINS updated 16/12/21

UPDATE 16/12/21

We have a small number of tickets left for 18 & 19 December. At the time of this post (20.00 16/12/21) there are

Saturday 18 – 

10.30 – Reserved Seating for 3 or 4 x 1, Reserved seating for a group of up to 4 people including a wheelchair space x 1

13.30 – First Class Private Compartment x 1, Reserved Seating for 3 or 4 x 2, Reserved Seating for 1 or 2 x 1

15.00 – First Class Private Compartment x 1

Sunday 19 –

12.00 – First Class Private Compartment x 1

13.30 – Reserved seating for a group of up to 4 people including a wheelchair space x 1

15.00 – Reserved seating for a group of up to 4 people including a wheelchair space x 1

Wednesday 22

Tickets are now available for this additional Santa day.

If you are interested in booking one of the above, subject to availability, please go to our booking site. First come, first served.

If you have already purchased tickets, please check your inbox for important event news. 

A reminder – What safety measures will there be in place?     

IMPORTANT COVID RESTRICTIONS

Face coverings must be worn indoors, unless exempt. This includes on trains, whether in a private compartment or shared carriage (which have Perspex screens between each seating area) and at Bo’ness and Birkhill (aka North Pole (South)) Stations. Even Santa has to wear his so please wear yours when he comes to see you or he may not be able to stop safely!

Dress warmly – the trains will be ventilated by having windows open so obviously your carriage may be a bit less cosy than usual so Christmas jumpers, hats, coats, scarves and gloves will help keep you warm and everyone safe! Why not bring a blanket for some extra warmth.

Do not travel if you feel unwell due to Covid symptoms.

Please note that since the move beyond level zero in Scotland in August we have maintained mitigation measures, including managing capacities and visitor flow, use of hand sanitation stations and enhanced cleaning protocols, until otherwise announced, in accordance with industry best practice and guidance endorsed by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions.

OTHER GUIDELINES

Please be mindful of other visitors and use the space we have provided kindly.

To help with NHS Test & Protect Scan the code on our Check In Scotland posters that you will see on site.

Do follow Government advice and local mitigations at all times, see here for the latest information.

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING! – Event Changes to our previous Santa Steam Trains
As you’ll appreciate, like everyone else, we have had to change the way we do some parts of our usual Santa experience. This is due to the ongoing and also uncertain situation regarding the pandemic which is still part of our lives and all need to follow the rules in place and continue to be careful.

There’ll be hand sanitiser available throughout your visit and our integrated screens and compartments will add a layer of extra protection without affecting your enjoyment. You won’t have to share a table or compartment with anyone not in your party.
Once on board, you’ll enjoy the festive music and a singalong with your family in our decorated carriages which are sure to delight.

Seeing Santa – Understandably we have to take extra care of Santa and all our visitors and staff this year so things will be a bit different and we can offer you only minimal contact with Santa. He’ll walk up and down the train and wave to you all with a big smile behind his mask and expects a big wave back and cheery “hello!”.
Because he can’t hang about too long, he’s left you a Christmas Wish Card on your table for children to complete for Santa and post in the magic post box at The North Pole (South). He’s also asked our volunteers to help him. Santa’s Helpers will be on the train keeping you safe and they are also in charge of giving out gifts, so be good and let them know how old you are when they visit your table or compartment!

If you’re lucky you may even catch sight of the big man himself on the platform when he’s not helping the crew with the train, so get your camera ready!

Please be assured that we are doing our best to put on an event that you will enjoy and appreciate your understanding. We are guided by the Scottish Government and any restrictions at the time

As always we thank you for your support, without visitors we would not be able to continue to preserve Scotland’s railway history for future generations to enjoy.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to our Santa Steam Trains. Click on the yellow “Book Your Tickets” button to the left to book.

 

DATES, PRICES AND TICKETS

Dates:  Saturday 4 & Sunday 5, Saturday 11 & Sunday 12, Saturday 18 & Sunday 19, and Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 December.

Train Times 10.30, 12.00, 13.30 & 15.00

Duration: The return train journey is approx. 60 minutes but do allow time to enjoy additional entertainment at Bo’ness station including our gift shop.

Tickets –

First Class Private Compartment for up to 6 people from £126.00 to £136.00 – First Class Private Compartment for up to 6 people aged 18 months or over. Additional infants up to 17 months travel free and receive a present from Santa but are not allocated a seat.

Standard Class Private Compartment for up to 6 people from £114.00 to £124.00- Standard Class Private Compartment for up to 6 people aged 18 months or over. Additional infants up to 17 months travel free and receive a present from Santa but are not allocated a seat

Reserved seating for 1 or 2 people.£32.00 to £36.00 – Reserved seating for 1 or 2 people aged 18 months or over in a shared carriage. Additional infants up to 17 months travel free and receive a present from Santa but are not allocated a seat.

Reserved seating for 3 or 4 people. from £64.00 to £72.00 – Reserved seating for 3 or 4 people aged 18 months or over in a shared carriage. Additional infants up to 17 months travel free and receive a present from Santa but are not allocated a seat.

Reserved seating for a group of 1 or 2 (50% discount), or a group of 3 or 4 people at price shown including a wheelchair space. from £64.00 to £72.00 – Reserved seating including a wheelchair space for a group of 3 or 4 people aged 18 months or over in a shared carriage. If your group consists of 1 or 2 people aged 18 months or over then you can get a 50% discount on the price by applying the code WHEEL50 in “Your Basket”. Additional infants up to 17 months travel free and receive a present from Santa but are not allocated a seat. Any customers applying the discount who are not accompanied by a wheelchair user or who arrive in a group of 3 or 4 may be refused travel or charged the surplus + an admin fee of £10.00

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF BOOKING for Santa Steam Trains 2021

  1. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF BOOKING for Santa Steam Trains 2021
  1. a)      Please read the information on our website here before making your booking as some details of our “usual” Santa Steam Train experience have been changed and we do not want any disappointment on the day.
    b)     Discount vouchers, complimentary tickets, season tickets, annual membership cards & vouchers and other discount passes are not valid for Santa Steam Trains.
    c)      There are no carers or group discounts available for these trains.
    d)     The ticket price includes a return journey from Bo’ness Station to Birkhill Station.
    e)     Seats are not allocated to infants under 18 months.
    f)      Tickets CANNOT be booked in person at our North Street Office or via Bo’ness Station.
    g)     All seats are fully reserved and must be paid in advance.
    h)     You MUST set a password and create an account at time of booking if you wish to amend the date and time of your train.
    i)      Train dates and times cannot be changed within 7 days of the date of travel and are subject to availability and a £5 admin charge.
    j)      Any other changes such as to passenger numbers per booking are at the discretion of the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway and will be subject to availability and a £5 admin charge.
    k)     If you have any issues during your journey then please bring them to the attention of a member of staff so there is an opportunity to rectify the situation.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Nothing stops festive fun at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway!

Join us for a wonderful, safe and enjoyable festive experience with all the traditional sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.

Some of the highlights are:
• There’s nothing like a departure by steam – sit back and relax with your family on one of our nostalgic steam trains.
• Get into the mood with some Christmas music while our friendly volunteers welcome you to your train.
• Keep an eye out for our platform entertainment
• Settle in to your reserved seats in a cosy carriage or compartment for a safe and enjoyable journey
• Sing along with your family to the music on the train
• Check out the festive decorations in your carriage
• Enjoy the return train ride along the Forth Estuary, through wintry woodlands and in to your destination, the “North Pole (South)”.
• Complete your Christmas Wish card to post to Santa on arrival there
• Post it in the Magic Post Box at the North Pole (South).
• Watch from the footbridge as we move the locomotive from one end of the train to the other.
• Say hello to Santa as he passes through the train to say hello to all the girls and boys!
• Receive your special present from Santa’s Helpers
• Visit the Shop at Bo’ness for gifts or treat yourself
• See the Model Railway at Bo’ness Station

We will do our best to ensure everything is in place for this event but may have to make changes owing to operational requirements, weather conditions or Scottish Government guidance.

 

 

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Do I have to book in advance?
Yes. Santa Steam Trains, especially those closest to Christmas book up quickly. You can book your tickets here.
Can I get a group discount?
No, there are no concessions, carer or group booking discounts available.
Does our ticket price include our train fare?
Yes.
How long does the journey last?
The journey to Birkhill and back takes about one hour with time to get off at Birkhill and enjoy the fresh air.
Do all children receive a present from Santa?
Yes.
Do you have facilities for disabled visitors?
Wheelchair accommodation is available and must be pre-booked. When making your booking, please advise if assistance will be required.
Bo’ness Station has dedicated disabled parking, an access ramp for wheelchairs and toilets for the disabled. All trains are equipped with ramps for easy wheelchair access.
Pushchairs, prams and buggies
Space on our trains is very limited and if you can, we ask that you leave your pushchair, pram or buggy in your car. We do offer a free buggy park* at Bo’ness Station where you can leave your pushchair, pram or buggy while you travel to Birkhill and back.
* PLEASE NOTE: Buggy Park is unsupervised and items are left at owner’s risk. SRPS accepts no liability for any loss of items on the day.
Can I bring my dog?
Only guide /assistance dogs are permitted at this event.
Is the Museum of Scottish Railways open?
No, we are building a new entrance to our museum and unfortunately this has taken longer than expected. The new entrance will catch the eye of visitors on the platform at Bo’ness Station so you really can’t miss it. It will be accessed from the new visitor trail that takes in the new Engineering facility next door which is being built by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Whilst the construction work is going on, visitor access is not permitted. The Museum will be open next year (2022) and we are looking at extending our opening season to welcome everyone back.
How do we get to you?
The Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway is about 40 minutes drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow. See information here.