Take your youngsters on a magical day out to meet Father Christmas at Blaenavon's heritage railway. HAYLEY MILLS reports.

FAMILIES are invited to ride a steam train in Blaenavon to meet Santa who has gifts for children.

Starting on November 30, passengers can ride behind RSH Mech Navvies Steam Locomotive 71515, at the Steam Santa Specials.

The engine is believed to have been first built for the war department in the 1940’s in the north east of England, and it continued to be used until 1970’s when it broke.

It was then bought by enthusiasts and taken to east Somerset, before being sold to a buyer in Yorkshire where it was used on a heritage railway.

It was then lovingly restored by volunteers at the Blaenavon railway and has since carried thousands of passengers since 2010.

Families can take the train to see Santa in his grotto where each child who visits him will receive a personalised gift.

A complementary mince pie and sherry will be served for all adults.

Trustee at the railway Norman Clymer said: “We expect to welcome over 1,000 people to the railway over the four weekends and all of the volunteers have been working hard to put up the decorations and get the trains ready for the event.”

All tickets are pay once and families can ride all day enabling them to get off and visit the tea room which is open at Furnace Sidings or visit Eric’s Emporium, an outpost of The Railway Shop in Blaenavon which stocks a selection of railway models, gifts and souvenirs.

Mr Clymer added: “Its a very joyful time of the year and although we are expecting it to be a very busy period for the railway all of the hard work is worth it to bring smiles to the children’s faces who love riding a train and of course seeing Santa.

“We just hope the weather is ok and we can't wait to welcome our first passengers at this year’s Santa Specials.”

Blaenavon's Heritage Railway is set in the heart of a World Heritage Site on the edge of the Brecon Beacons.

It is a totally volunteer-run attraction and can trace its roots right back to 1869 when the railway was initially opened from Brynmawr to Blaenavon and later on down the valley to Abersychan, and Pontypool.

At the railway, whilst the last passenger trains ran in 1941, it remained open until 1980 to carry coal south from the various mines in the area, the last being Big Pit at Blaenavon.

It was at this time, that a small band of enthusiasts got together to save some of the line and in August 1983 they ran their first trains, from Furnace Sidings to the Whistle Inn.

For many years this remained the case, but in the past few years the railway has grown rapidly and now operates a busy network with trains running to Blaenavon High Level, Big Pit and the Whistle Inn.

The operations are based on the railways award winning station at Furnace Sidings which has been totally built from scratch.

This year sees the railway celebrate it 30th year, and to mark the occasions a steam gala was held in September.

When visit there is ample free car and coach parking at Furnace Sidings, by Garn Lakes.

From here trains head north to the Whistle Inn, south to Blaenavon High Level Station, which is only a short walk from Blaenavon town centre, as well as to Big Pit Halt, which is adjacent to the Big Pit Mining Museum.

Santa Trains run on November 30 and December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.

Trains will depart Furnace Sidings from 11am and every half an hour until the last train at 3.30pm.

Prices are £8 per passenger for November 30 and December 1,7 and 9 and £9 per passenger for December 14, 15, 21 and 22.

You can book tickets online via www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk or book via the Railway shop by visiting 33 Broad Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9ND or by phoning 01495 792 263.