Everyone is really friendly and helpful. We even got to go in the signal box! Lovely freshly made snacks ina real traincarriagesnack bar. We went on Superhero day, Superman was... read more brilliant with the grandkids, fun and entertaining. Thank you so much to all the volunteers, you're doing an amazing job!

  HO! HO! HO! Joined the Santa train again and as expected FABULOUS. Big thanks to everyone involved, I was with a friend who has a disability and they were... read more happy for me to liaise with Santa's elves about an adult gift. Enjoyed the singalong with the very energetic Marc (hope you had a lie down in a dark room later chap!) Planned an early arrival to ensure a pre-tootle brew in the buffet car. Our only 'gripe' and this is NOT a criticism of the railway at all....very few people wore masks on board despite numerous signs asking passengers to do so and ALL railway personnel we encountered being 'muzzled up' the same as us. It is NOT the job of the railway volunteers giving their time to provide us with these amazing memories to badger visitors into 'doing the right thing' - it's a mask, just do it! To those who chose not to wear a mask: I hope my good friend/neighbour/nurse is well enough & not too exhausted to care for you should you need her in hospital.

  We recently went here to the Halloween party. The steam train is lovely to ride on and really enjoyed it. However the cafe is not. We ordered bacon rolls and... read more was told they would be 40 minutes until they were ready, we had a coffee which was ok. it was instant coffee you make at home,no filter coffee there, and hot chocolate which was made with water and squirty cream on top with marshmallow's. The hot chocolate was awful and got thrown away. If they made it with milk it would be drinkable. So we went on the train and went back for the rolls later. The bread was soggy and the bacon was like shoe leather. Someone else said they had a sausage bap which was equally as bad. It's a shame as the place would be great with a decent cafe, food and drink etc. a shop that sold better souvenir's and a new coat of paint everywhere.Also the actor's did their best dressed up as Halloween ghost's etc I guess but wasn't very scary. It might also be worth mentioning that instead of doing the 'Time warp' dance for Halloween, Michael Jacksons Thriller would be better.

  Not quite what I was expecting. Cars were parked in very muddy clogged grass making it difficult to get parked. It all seemed a little chaotic when we got there.... read more Santa saw the children for all of a minute as he handed out plastic bags with the kids presents in, which weren’t wrapped (not a big issue, but would have been nicer wrapped). The toys itself were age appropriate which was good. I thought we would be on the train for around an hour but it was 10 minutes up the road. Parked for 10 minutes whilst elves set up entertainment and 10 minutes back. The entertainment was ok, but wasn’t what I was expecting from the adverts. I think if this wasn’t here it the experience would have been awful. They did make it fun for 10 minutes. We had travelled nearly two hours each way (150 miles) to come to see Santa for 1 minute between three kids and the only interaction with him was to pass their present. They didn’t get to talk to him. There was the option to go and see him in the grotto after we got back to the station but the queue was long and the train was waiting to go again with the next lot so we didn’t wait.
It really didn’t add to things when a little boy in the seats in front hadn’t got a present as it had been forgotten as the grandparent was kicking off (I understand the frustration) but it really spoilt the atmosphere for other guests as she kept complaining. Then the elf singer asked for feedback on trip advisor which set her off again.
It was ok, but wasn’t what I expected and I think my children would have preferred somewhere where we could talk to father Xmas for 5 minutes. I appreciate its voluntary workers and I appreciate their time, just think it needs a few tweaks

  We took our 4 Yr and 5 months old boys on the santa train yesterday. Lovely festive feeling from the moment we stepped onto the platform, getting hot chocolate from... read more the cafe (which is converted train carriages) to stepping off again. Elf Marc provided our entertainment singing and dancing and getting everyone whipped up on the way to the station (North Pole) where santa boarded and greeted each child by name as he walked down the carriages and gave them a gift. Adults also recieved a pen. The grotto in carriage C was lovely and once we got back into the station we were able to visit santa again and take pics. Wonderful experience and will definitely be going again next year.

  As a family we have visited the railway on numerous occasions and have never been disappointed. We visited over the bank holiday weekend, which was a Super Hero's event.... read more There were lots of families enjoying the day with many children and adults dressed as Batman, Super girl etc.
One volunteer guard dressed as Superman, did a superb job of entertaining the children as the train travelled from Ludborough to North Thoresby and back.
On the platform at North Thoresby, Superman and another guard led dances on the platform and many of the children and adults joined in.
Parking is free and there are good toilet facilities on the station and while the cafe on the stationery buffet car was currently out of action, there was a kiosk selling hot and cold drinks, crisps and biscuits. Food could be eaten in the buffet car.
It is very much small scale but never the less, the volunteers make it a great experience and it is well worth a visit.