Name: The Christmas Train
Start: 2025-12-19T07:40:00+00:00
End: 2025-12-19T21:40:00+00:00
Location: Kings Cross railway station

“The air is crisp, the snow is falling, and a familiar whistle echoes in the night.”
It can only mean one thing… this Christmas, trade the Christmas movies on the sofa, for a cozy festive carriage and embark on a magical day out to the North East of England, that will start your holiday period off with a sparkle!
With less than a week to go before Christmas Day, what better way to start the holiday period than a Christmas Special train from London to Durham and Newcastle with much sought after freight locomotives from the GBRf stable, and the opportunity for an early afternoon break in Durham or Newcastle for lunch, drinks or last-minute Christmas shopping.
Leaving London Kings Cross just after 07:30, with our GBRf Class 66 leading (and we expect this to be a Class 66 that has never worked a passenger train before), we will head directly up the ECML through Welwyn and Huntingdon, before picking up further passengers at Peterborough just after 09:00. Then onwards through Grantham to Doncaster and York for further pick-ups, before we power up the ECML to Durham for our first set-down, and then arriving into Newcastle around quarter past one.
With just under 3 hours to explore the vibrant City of Newcastle, you will have ample time to explore the wide ranging selection of restaurants and bars in the local area, complete your last minute Christmas shopping in the multitude of shops available close by, or visit the Christmas Market and Village a short walk away from the station which offers local traders and festive fun for everyone! Alternatively, for those Transport enthusiasts amongst us, why not head downstairs at Central Station to the Tyne and Wear Metro where you can try and ride on some of the brand new Class 555s, or head up to Monkseaton Railway station to visit the famous Left Luggage Room real ale bar. Or if funicular railways are your thing, head to the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel at Jarrow to travel in the inclined lifts and visit the fully refurbished tunnel and see the historic wooden escalators! So many options, it really is a fantastic day out for everyone!
After our break, we leave Newcastle just before 16:00, and head south down the ECML with our Class 66 stretching its legs all the way to Doncaster, with set-downs at York and Doncaster, plus the pick up at Durham for anybody who chooses to have their afternoon break here. Once we leave Doncaster, we take a small diversion into Down Decoy Yard, just South of Doncaster Station, where a loco change will see us take advantage of one of GBRfs newest tools, the Class 69, which will work our train on the final part of the journey back to London Kings Cross. We expect the Class 69 to be a much desired one which has not worked a passenger train before, and we will head via Grantham, Peterborough (set-down) and Welwyn Garden City, finally arriving back into London just after 21:30.
A truly fantastic Christmassy day out for all involved, and you are then free to head home, full of the joys of Christmas, as we relax and look forward to what is to come in 2026.
There will be a charity raffle on board supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. First Class Dining includes a full traditional English breakfast on the outward journey and a 3 course supper on the return. Our buffet car will serve a wide range of freshly prepared hot food, drinks, snacks and light refreshments.
All times and routing are indicative until confirmed by Network Rail. Final routing and timings are usually confirmed by Network Rail five days before travel and will be enclosed with your e-ticket.
London Kings Cross (PU 07:40) - Finsbury Park - Welwyn Garden City - Huntingdon - Peterborough (PU 09:15) - Grantham - Retford - Doncaster (PU 10:59) - Shaftholme Jn - Colton Jn - York (PU 11:45) - Northallerton - Durham (SD 13:00) - Newcastle (SD 13:20)
Newcastle (PU 15:44) - Durham (PU 16:00) - Northallerton - York (SD 17:25) - Colton Jn - Shaftholme Jn - Doncaster (SD 18:22) - Doncaster Down Decoy GBRf (Loco Change) - Loversall Carr Jn - Grantham - Peterborough (SD 20:05) - Huntingdon - Welwyn Garden City - Holloway Junctions - London Kings Cross (SD 21:40)
Please note that First Class Dining is not available for passengers joining or alighting at Doncaster or York as there is insufficient time to provide the food service. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies please advise them in the booking comments box.
To ensure an efficient dining service, dining passengers will be seated according to their joining and alighting stations. If you are travelling in a group, please try to board and alight at the same stations where possible.
No part fares or pay on the day are available for this charter.