NYMR Santa Express
A magical Christmas steam train journey for families from Pickering Station.

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Posted on 4th September 2026

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Step aboard a heritage steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) for one of the region's most beloved festive family traditions: the NYMR Santa Express.

Departing from historic Pickering Station across selected dates in November and December 2026, this hour-long festive journey offers children a personal visit from Santa, high-energy elf entertainment, special keepsakes, and festive platform games.

What Happens On Board The Train 🚂🎅

The experience features an hour-long round trip between Pickering and Levisham stations through winter countryside landscapes. During the journey, Santa and his cheeky elf crew travel through the carriages to meet every family individually.

• Personal Visit From Santa: Santa will come directly to your seat to chat with children and deliver their special Christmas presents.
• Exclusive Gifts Included: Every child receives a 20cm tall gingerbread man plush toy along with a festive storybook to take home.
• Meet the NYMR Elves: Interact with a cast of playful characters including Elton Elf (the musical genius), Chef Custard (who cooks for Santa and Rudolph), and Joey Marshmallow (the resident trickster elf).
• Gingersnap's Story: Keep an eye out for Gingersnap, a gingerbread puppet who arrives on a baking tray after a kitchen mishap—children get to help the elves piece together what happened!
• Festive Atmosphere: Enjoy Christmas songs, carriage games, and winter scenery throughout the entire return ride.

Festive Platform Activities at Pickering 🎯✉️

The magic starts before boarding and continues after your train ride. Families are encouraged to arrive early or allow extra time after their journey to enjoy Platform 2's festive takeover:

• Naughty or Nice Scanner: Get your event ticket scanned and officially stamped before stepping onto the platform.
• Write & Post Your Letter to Santa: A dedicated station where kids can draft their Christmas wishlist and post it directly to the North Pole.
• Christmas Fete Games: Traditional gingerbread-man themed fete games and interactive challenges.
• Live Platform Performances: Sing-along show performances on the Platform 2 event stage.
• Festive Refreshments & Shopping: Browse the Christmas Emporium for unique gifts or visit the Platform 1 Tearooms for hot drinks and warm treats.

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2026 Operating Dates & Ticket Fares 🎟️

The NYMR has held its 2025 ticket pricing for the 2026 season. Advance online booking is strongly advised as peak December dates sell out quickly:

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Opening Weekend

£29.50 per person
28th & 29th November 2026

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Early December

£34.50 per person
5th, 6th, 12th & 13th December 2026

⭐

Peak Christmas Week

£39.50 per person
19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December 2026

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Booking & Accessibility Information

• Carer Tickets: Available at £17.50 per carer (valid carer entitlement ID required).
• Wheelchair Users: Dedicated wheelchair spaces in ramp-access carriages can be booked online.
• Booking Fee: A £1.50 fee applies per transaction.
• Location & Times: All services depart from Pickering Station (YO18 7AJ) with multiple departure slots running throughout the day.

Getting There 🗺️

📍 Venue Address:

Pickering Station, Park Street, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ

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🚗 Driving & Parking

Pay-and-display parking is located adjacent to Pickering Station (The Ropery and Vivis Lane car parks). Please allow extra time for parking during peak Christmas weekends.

🚌 Bus Services

The 840 Coastliner bus service connects Pickering directly with York, Malton, and Whitby, stopping within short walking distance of the station concourse.