Santa trains (maybe thomas?)

[ridingsixwhitehorses]

We are in North East London.
Can anyone recommend any easyish to get to trains you can go on to meet Father Christmas. Would love to make a day of it. Maybe a Thomas train (too much excitement?). Probably a steam train? Preferably some lovely twinkly lights and nice views. Just planning ahead...

www.northpoletrains.com/christmas-train-rides/southern-england.html

There are lots on this site that you can choose from, several in your area I think. It's like a directory so you can look further into the ones you are interested in.

I still remember going on the Santa Special when I was little totally magical!!!

Burnham-on-Crouch
Mangapps
We used to take our DC (my DS was obsessed with Thomas) they had the trains dressed up , usually a couple of steam trains and a couple of the carriages.
They did the Santa Steam Trains (they go to a little 'Santas Grotto' shed with an oil burner heater and Father Christmas) Each group/family gets off one at a time on the platform.

There was another steam train where Father Christmas walks through the carriage and chats to eat child (I'll try and find the name)

There's a nice one (not Thomas) for smaller children at Audley End miniature railway - about 1hr from Liverpool Street station. Audley End house is next door (English heritage - beautiful views but expensive entry fees though if you're not a member!) The mainline station is a bit of a walk away from the miniature railway, but it's also easily gettable to by car.

We are NE London too. There is the Epping-Ongar railway very nearby, and can drive or tube to the beginning, which starts with a vintage bus ride to the train station. I think that does a Santa train each year (lovely steam train engines - though carriages not restored so are a bit tired inside). I believe Santa is not in the train but at the Ongar station end where the train turns round. We have been, though not at Christmas and it is a good day out for a train mad toddler

Go to Thomas land at Christmas?

Thomasland at Christmas is great.