Polar Express train dates and times at Telford, Birmingham and Churnet Valley this Christmas
It's less than three months until Christmas which means it's less than two months until the first Polar Express trains of 2024 are waved away!
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
These magical trains tell the story of a young boy who sees a mysterious train heading for the North Pole stop outside his house. He's the invited aboard by its conductor and joins other children on a visit to Santa Claus, who is preparing for Christmas.
In 2016, the Telford Steam Railway became the first in the UK to run a live action recreation.
Since then it's become popular across the country, with many heritage lines putting on trains full of colourful lights, actors, songs, magical bells and, of course, Santa himself.
In the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire, we're lucky that there are several of these trains within easy reach.
So for anyone still looking to to book a trip on the Polar Express this winter, here are the locations and dates
Telford Steam Railway
Telford's Polar Express train departs Horeshay & Dawley station where pre-show activities entertain families. After reaching the North Pole, it returns to the nearby Spring Village. Trains are on:
Friday, November 22 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Saturday, November 23 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Sunday, November 24 - 3.15pm (fully booked), 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.20pm (fully booked), 7.50pm
Friday, November 29 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Saturday, November 30 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.20pm (fully booked), 7.50pm (fully booked)
Sunday, December 1 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Tuesday, December 3 - 4pm, 5.30pm, 7.10pm
Wednesday, December 4 - 4pm (SEN), 5.30pm, 7.10pm
Thursday, December 5 - 4pm, 5.30pm, 7.10pm
Friday, December 6 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm (fully booked), 7.50pm
Saturday, December 7 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm (fully booked), 7.50 (fully booked)
Sunday, December 8 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm (fully booked)
Tuesday, December 10 - 4pm, 5.30pm, 7.10pm
Wednesday, December 11 - 4pm, 5.30pm, 7.10pm
Thursday, December 12 - 4pm, 5.30pm, 7.10pm
Friday, December 13 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Saturday, December 14 - 3.15pm (fully booked), 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Sunday, December 15 - 3.15pm (fully booked), 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Tuesday, December 17 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm (fully booked), 7.50pm
Wednesday, December 18 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm (fully booked), 7.50pm
Thursday, December 19 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Friday, December 20 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Saturday, December 21 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.20pm (fully booked), 7.50pm
Sunday, December 22 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Monday, December 23 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.20pm, 7.50pm
Vintage Trains, Birmingham
Leaving Birmingham Moor Street station, trains reach speeds of up to 60mph on their way to the North Pole, before returning to Moor Street around 90 minutes later. Trains are at:
Saturday, November 23 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Sunday, November 24 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Saturday, November 30 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Sunday, December 1 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Saturday, December 7 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Sunday, December 8 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Saturday, December 14 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Sunday, December 15 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Monday, December 16 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Friday, December 20 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Saturday, December 21 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Sunday, December 22 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
Monday, December 23 - 1pm, 5pm, 5pm. 7pm
All times are approximate
Churnet Valley Railway
In deepest Staffordshire, trains depart Froghall station for the North Pole, getting back around an hour later. Trains are at:
Saturday, November 16 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Sunday, November 17 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Friday, November 22 - 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Saturday, November 23 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Sunday, November 24 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Friday, November 29 - 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.30pm (fully booked), 8pm (fully booked)
Saturday, November 30 - 1.45pm (fully booked), 3.15pm (fully booked), 4.45pm (fully booked), 8pm (fully booked)
Sunday, December 1 - 6.30pm (fully booked), 8pm
Friday, December 6 - fully booked
Saturday, December 7 - 8pm
Sunday, December 8 - 3.15pm (fully booked), 8pm
Thursday, December 12 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm (fully booked), 8pm
Friday, December 13 - 3.15pm, 6.30pm (fully booked), 8pm (fully booked)
Saturday, December 14 - 8pm (fully booked)
Sunday, December 15 - 8pm
Monday, December 16 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Tuesday, December 17 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Wednesday, December 18 - 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 6.30pm, 8pm
Thursday, December 19 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm (fully booked), 6.30pm (fully booked), 8pm
Friday, December 20 - 1.45pm, 3.15pm (fully booked), 6.30pm (fully booked), 8pm (fully booked)
Saturday, December 21 - 6.30pm (fully booked), 8pm (fully booked)
Sunday, December 22 - 1.45pm (fully booked), 8pm (fully booked)
Monday December 23 - fully booked