Churnet Valley Railway (1992) Plc

Your favourite railway needs your support this festive season. At Churnet Valley Railway we love making memories all year round but our Santa and Steam trains are extra magical.
We really need volunteers to help us to spread the Christmas cheer.
We have the following volunteer vacancies;
... Station Staff: Meeting and greeting our visitors, checking tickets and showing them to their seats. Once the train has arrived and you have helped all the customers to and from the train you will assist in preparing the coaches for the next special guests.
On Train Helpers: You will be responsible for giving the sweet treats to the children, or the Sherry and mince pie to the adults. We like to ensure the trains are well kept during the day so collecting waste paper and other items. The most important job is to make sure that all our guests have enjoyed their trip. Once the trip is over you will assist the station staff in seeing everyone off the train then preparing the train for the next set of special guests.
Trolley Helpers: Well this is like being Santa’s Elf! You are tasked with helping Mr Clause himself. As he wanders the train handing presents to all the boys and girls you will be pushing the trolley holding the presents. Then when you arrive to the table you will ensure that the special gifts are right for the age and gender of our little visitor before handing the present to Santa who will then pass it onto each boy and girl. The second role here is at the back of a trolley, the person will help to sort any problems such as retuning to base for more presents if they all don’t fit on the trolley Or if there is a mix up such as a wrong gender or age then you would run to base and collect the correct gift.
As the song says ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’ and we at Churnet Valley Railway need you to help us make me memories for the families that choose us this Christmas.
Please send an email to enquiries@churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk or call us on 01538 750755.
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Make memories with us this Christmas! Take your seat aboard our Santa Express - our magical Steam train ride for all of the family to enjoy!
With a sweet treat for the children and a sherry and mince pie for the grown ups, everyone can relax and wait for Santa Claus to visit them in their seat!
... This is a Christmas tradition that is loved by adults and children alike!
Visit: https://santaandsteam.co.uk/ for more information or to book.
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Make memories with us this Christmas, our Santa and Steam tickets are available from: www.santaandsteam.co.uk

We’ve been on the Father’s Day lunch train today and it’s been absolutely fantastic. The carriage was lovely, the food was really nice, service staff were all friendly and the people working alongside the station were chatty and really nice. Wouldn’t hesitate to come again. This was our first visit. ��

We visited you for the first time today and the staff were more than happy to explain the history of the train and the the stations we stopped at. Thank you for making our day memorable xxxx

We took our 4 year old grand daughter to see the Paw Patrol event today and I have to say I was absolutely blown away by the thought and effort that went into making it a fabulous success and a child's paradise while meeting some of their favourite tv characters.

Money definitely well spent to see all the smiling faces..and that was just the adults! Definitely recommend for any future events.

We had a fab day out for my hubby's 44th birthday, the kids loved every minute. Thank you. Xxx

Perfect day at the paw patrol event x my son and godson Beamed from ear to ear all day xx will be back for future events xx

My wife and I spent today celebrating our 65th birthdays ( hers yesterday, mine tomorrow) on your wonderful little railway.

We couldn't believe how friendly the staff were. Lovely people. You should be proud of them all.

Only one complaint....weather was a bit grim, but we're prepared to let that one go. Looking forward to our next visit.

Thanks for today.

Just want to say what a great job your volunteers have done today at Cheddleton station! The kids for a quid was obviously a big success, you were inundated with families wanting to ride the train...a lot more than I think anyone expected. It was a last minute decision for me and my 2 children and my mum with 3 of the grandchildren to come along to day so we hadn’t got pre booked tickets. There was a lot of people that had done the same and guards did their very best to get everyone on the train as to not disappoint. The train journey was lovely and we just about managed to get a balloon! The only downside was some other people that couldn’t help but push there way on and off the train and didn’t know how to queue that spoilt it for others. Many thanks

Fantastic trip on the Santa Express as my 5 year old calls it. All the Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Once under way drinks and chocolates for the kids and Sherry and Mince Pie for the adults were a welcome touch. The gifts were amazing. None of the cheap tat you get some places. Santa was great with all the kids. Making time in his busy schedule on a very long, packed train for each one. The Gent doing the balloons was also great with the kids. Especially when asked for something a bit left field like an aeroplane. Great trip for the money. Would strongly recommend it.

Brilliant place for a visit. Children love it and as such I even bought some shares for them so they have an interest in this little gem. Hoping to take them on the Paw Patrol event in April. Keep up the good work.

Been to the Princess and Superhero day today and we had a fantastic afternoon daughter got to hold a snake, met princess Ariel who sat for what seemed an age talking to her and a friend she'd made, balloon modelling, lovely conductor who came for a chat and a photo, sing song with princess poppy and kids that dressed up were free. Amazing afternoon �

Attended the Paw Patrol event today and we were really impressed particularly with the staff and volunteers. They were all so friendly, polite and helpful and both the lady on the toy stall and the gentleman in the ticket booth went above and beyond to help us have a smooth day and get the toys our children wanted. We will definitely be back.

Amazing day today for the kids for a quid day . Yes it was busy luckily we got a seat and had a enjoyable journey the ballon modellers were fantastic it’s not very often you can have a family day out for less than £10 we will definitely be returning it’s all my kids have talked about since getting home xxxx

I disagree with the previous reviews. We had a great time, and my two boys loved it. Considering how many people were on the train, which was a lot, and how much time they had to go along the train and see everyone, I think they did extremely well. If you weren't satisfied with the way things went then you need to consider hiring your own private Santa and private exclusive engine, with just you and your family on it. The only thing my husband wasn't impressed with was that the steam loco driver didn't know how old the engine was. Apparently it was on loan from somewhere down in Devon, or that neck of the woods somewhere. Apart from that a good time was had by us four anyway.

We arrived nearly an hour early for our train to get our tickets and to get a good seat. When we arrived at the platform it was busy already from people who hadn't been able to board the 12.30 train so we stood with them an waited. As soon as the train arrived people were pushing and shoving to get past. When we eventually got on there was no seats so we walked right down the other end after being told there was seats there and there wasn't. So we joined a group of mum's holding their children in the luggage hold and our journey began not that we saw anything as there was only 1 window. Lucky for us we got a seat on the return journey and we all enjoyed that leg of our trip. The stations and the staff were all lovely I just felt this was very badly organised an should of been allocated seats not just a free for all. We also never saw any children's entertainer as we were at the very far end and from the volume of people on the train I assume he couldnt cope either. I do understand it was a cheaper event but I didn't expect the day to be like it was bit dissapointed as I'd heard lovely things about this railway

I was really looking forward to your trip today but ended up being Really disappointed, from the lad throwing the mice pie at you, to the santa not having any idea who is who, when I said my daughters name he just gave out the present out in sex and age rather than using the info I had just given him, he has no time for them nothing was special, the balloon man rush the ballon because it was he stop and made it feel like that will do didn’t feel magical at all and was very expensive for what it was, then to get to the car you need to be an expert in ice skating at no grit was put down it was so dangerous not worth £75 really sorry

We were very disappointed.we pre-booked our tickets for two adults and two children.we arrived before our 11.15 train was due to set off.we couldn’t find anywhere to park.people who were queuing were pushing and shoving.It was utter chaos.There was a lack of communication so we didn’t know what was happening.However we continued to queue for 45mins in the cold,trying to entertain the children.when we finally came close to the train we were then told that the train was full and if we came back in an hour and a half then we may get onto the next one but no guarantee. when we asked why this had happened,we were told that those who had arrived early but who had not Pre-booked their tickets had been allowed to get on the train first and they had had a high demand,which they were shocked about.

So with no train for us we decided to walk to the local pub to get warm and wait for the next train.when we got to the pub it wasn’t opening for another 15 minuted,luckily the lovely lady felt sorry for us and allowed us to go in early.

My husband waited to make sure we would definitely get on the next time.

We went back early to then queue again but this time the demand was less.However when we finally got our seats on the train,we were asked if the children could share our seats to enable more people to ride as well.So not a comfortable journey that we had hoped for.

We won’t be going again.

I am utterly disgusted by what was placed in front of me today on our afternoon tea train ride, stale bread and soggy cake is not what i was expecting for my wifes birthday. Offered extra cake and tea which never came, i find the whole ordeal disturbing and embarrassing for the staff that have to serve this poor effort, having had a conversation with the customer services a was finally satisfied with the outcome they offered, so all in all excellent train ride nice tea and but needs some work on keeping food chilled correctly

Very disappointed, booked for the Easter Egg hunt, and all the children got were Christmas chocolate coins! Emailed twice with no response! Rang up to complain too, and they fobbed me off and said they would get back to me, of course they didn't, will never book again! 30quid for poor service.

Afternoon tea was dreadful. Bread turning up at edges. Should had been kept covered until served. Every sandwich but one was cheese! The picnic area at Froghall station was a disgrace. Broken furniture etc.