Weardale Railway Announces Cancellation of Santa Express due to Locomotive Failures

Weardale Railway has today announced, with deep regret, the cancellation of its planned Santa Express services for the 2025 festive season, which were due to begin at the end of November. The decision follows serious and unforeseen mechanical problems affecting the railway’s two operational locomotives.

Despite extensive efforts by the team to resolve the issues and secure suitable replacements - including outreach to more than 30 locomotive owners and organisations across the UK - the railway has been unable to source alternative engines in time to reliably deliver the much-loved Christmas experience.

In April 2025, Weardale Railway invested significantly in refurbishing one of its key locomotives, which was due to return to service this October. However, additional mechanical problems identified during restoration have caused considerable delays to its completion. At the same time, the railway’s second operational locomotive, which served as Weardale Railway’s backup train, has suffered a major generator fault, rendering it inoperable.

Claire Gibbons, General Manager at Weardale Railway, said "On behalf of the entire team, I want to sincerely apologise to all our customers and supporters for this disappointing news. After what has been a hugely successful year for Weardale Railway - with sold-out Gin & Cheese Trains, popular stargazing experiences, and a range of well-attended community events - we are sad and frustrated to have to make this decision.

"The Santa Express is a highlight of our calendar and a cherished tradition for many families across the region. Our priority has always been to deliver high-quality experiences that our visitors can rely on. We have explored every possible option to keep the event running, but the mechanical challenges we’re facing simply cannot be resolved in time.

"We know how much families look forward to these magical experiences, and this decision has not been taken lightly. By communicating early, we hope to give families the opportunity to make alternative festive plans, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for an even bigger and better programme next year."

All customers with existing Santa Express bookings will receive a full refund within ten business days, and the railway’s customer service team will be in touch directly with all affected passengers.

Meanwhile, other seasonal events - including the Autumn Photography Train on 9th November and the Halloween Trains on 29th and 31st October and 1st November - will go ahead as planned, as Weardale Railway do not use the locomotives for these experiences and use a smaller single-carriage diesel train unaffected by the current issues.

For updates and further information, please visit https://www.weardale-railway.org.uk/ or follow Weardale Railway on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.