Carlisle Hammonds Pond Railway line set to welcome Santa

The Hammonds Pond Railway will host a Polar Express Santa Special at Upperby Park on December 1, running from 12pm to 3pm, at £1 per rider. 

This festive event is a collaborative effort involving the railway, the Friends of Hammonds Pond, and Hammonds cafe. 

Following his arrival at the station, children will have the chance to walk with Santa to the cafe, where they can share their Christmas lists and holiday wishes.

The railway line has been creating memories for families for almost a century. (Image: Hammonds Pond Railway Line)

Although the railway's regular running season has ended until April, visitors are encouraged to stop by if they see the trains operating for fun over the winter.

For a small donation, visitors may even enjoy a ride, with proceeds helping to maintain the railway.

The Model Engineering Society, which has maintained the railway since 1936, recently welcomed John Hodgson as the new chairperson - taking over from Stephanie Saville earlier this year. 

Running and maintaining the model railway is no small feat, requiring a dedicated team of five to six volunteers each time it operates.

Donations play a crucial role in supporting this club. 

Most recently, the railway delighted 401 visitors who came to experience the Haunted Hammonds Pond Railway Ghost Train.

Track and locomotives get decorated for Halloween. (Image: Hammonds Pond Railway Line)

Taking to social media, a spokesperson from the group said: "We had an absolute ball scaring people as they rode through our terrifying tunnel where the skeletons and ghouls hung out, it was brilliant. 

"Thank you all so much for supporting Hammonds Pond cafe and the railway, without your support, we would not be able to keep giving generations of families happy memories of a grand day out in Carlisle," they said.