Santa Specials 2023

Running every weekend in December in the lead up to Christmas & Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd Dec.

This year we will be offering a refreshed experience for our Santa by Steam train rides. 2023 will see Santa stepping out of his Victorian Carriage, as he joins your train ride with you.

Santa and his elves will board the train at Bodmin General station amongst you and your family and ride all the way to Bodmin Parkway and back with you. Listen to his bells as he walks through the coach jingling away, chatting, eating mince pies and gifting presents. Fill out your activity sheet and write your wish list on the train as you wait for Santa and his elves to greet you.

Upon arrival back at Bodmin General, you will get the opportunity to see Santa’s Victorian Carriage and snap a couple of family photos in Santa’s photobooth, before taking part in Christmas themed arts and crafts activities.

The departure times be 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30 and tickets will include a single line steam train trip to Bodmin Parkway and back. Each child ticket will include a Christmas related soft toy gift.

Our station will be decked with Christmas decorations from wreaths and garlands, lots of Christmas trees and fairy lights. Local brass bands will accompany us playing your favourite Christmas carols! The café will serve comforting Cornish and Christmas favourites, including warm hot chocolate and turkey rolls.

Please note dogs are not allowed on our trains or at our station during Christmas time due to a busier than usual platform.

Seating: 

If you purchase a Santa by Steam ticket you will be seated within one of our two TSO coaches. Our TSO coaches are laid out in two tables either side of the aisle, seating four people per table. Santa will walk down the aisle and speak to families and children as he passes through the two coaches.

Please note if you may be sharing tables with other couples, singles or families, if you are not in a multiple of four. If you wish to be sat with another booking/party please email us all the booking references so we can make a note and we will try our best to accommodate.

We offer a limited amount of wheelchair seats/space – please get in touch with us before booking.

Running three Thursdays in December - 7th, 14th & 21st

Jump on board the train to stardom! A 1950s Hollywood party, an eccentric director, and a movie cast. Hollywood stars and has-beens, jealousy and corruption are all prominent guests. Watch and listen closely as the stars fight for success. Is it really worth dying for?  Is murder a fair price for the role of a lifetime? Is this a train to stardom, or in fact, ‘The Train to Nowhere’!

Get those grey cells working, and question the cast if you wish to try and piece together the puzzle. If you can solve the mystery, your name will be put into a draw, and you may be lucky enough to go home with the winning prize.

Arrive at Bodmin General (PL31 1AG) at 6pm for a 6.30pm start, finishing approximately 9:30pm. Your ticket includes a Cornish pasty and a drink on arrival. All tickets must be booked in advance and remember to choose your pasty type when paying for them.

Please be aware that single tickets or couples may be seated with other couples.

We are sorry that this event is not suitable for wheelchair users due to the heritage nature of the carriages.

Running 5th, 6th, 12th & 13th of December.

On selective Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the lead up to Christmas hop on board for a cosy evening, as Santa reads you a Christmas story.

Head to Bodmin General Station for a 5pm event start time. Collect your tickets, hot chocolate and cookie and board the train. Your personalised book, addressed to you by Santa himself will be waiting at your seat for your arrival. The story will be read through the train speakers as you await the appearance of the man himself! After the story has been read, Santa will appear, walking through the aisle and greeting each family and child.

Each ticket includes a hot chocolate and cookie. Each child ticket purchased will include your own personal book of the story being read.

We are sorry that this event is not suitable for wheelchair users due to the heritage nature of the carriages.

Friday 29th December

Join us in the ‘twixmas’ period for a fun family outing at Bodmin Railway. With our home loco, GWR Prairie No.5552 in steam, hauling our service train and saddle tank ‘Judy’ hauling brake van rides. Trains will be running from 09:45 to 16:00, purchase an all-day rover ticket to ride all day.

The café will be open for refreshments, hot and cold.