Chuff, chuff, chuffed

If there's a steam railway line near you, chances are it's running a Santa Special for the Christmas season. Throughout December Santa is boarding steam trains around the country distributing gifts for each child passenger, and mince pies and drinks for all. What cosier way to see Father Christmas - with moving scenery and no queueing out in the cold? Booking is advised now for the very popular Santa Specials on lines including the Bluebell Railway in Sussex (tel: 01825 720 806), the Watercress Line/Mid-Hants Railway (01962 733 810), Yorkshire's Keighley and Worth Valley line of 'Railway Children' fame (01535 647 307), the Northampton & Lamport Railway (01604 820 327), Kent's Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (01797 362 353), the Swanage Railway in Dorset (01929 425 800), the Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough (01780 784 444), the Great Central Railway near Loughborough (01509 230 726), the East Somerset Railway (01749 880 417), the West Somerset Railway (01643 704 996), the Longleat House railway in Wiltshire (01985 844 400), the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway in West Lothian (01506 824 356), and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (pictured) (01983 884 871), which also runs a Hangover Special on New Year's Day - mainly for the adults!