Mince Pie Steam & Diesel Specials at Wensleydale Railway

Wensleydale Railway will once again be operating its Mince Pie Specials train services between Christmas and New Year. Visiting Black Five steam locomotive (No. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier') will be operating two-days of steam services between Leeming Bar and Leyburn on 28 and 29 December 2025. On 30th December, the railway will operate a heritage diesel service, using its class 47 locomotive (47714).

Blow those post-Christmas cobwebs away and enjoy a festive journey between Leeming Bar, Bedale and Leyburn and a complimentary mince pie and hot drink served on board. There will be a choice of three trips per day to choose from, and customers can depart from Leeming Bar, Bedale or Leyburn stations (with a request stop at Finghall station).

Leeming Bar departures: 10:00, 12:20 and 14:40

Bedale departures: 10:10, 12:30 and 14:50

Leyburn departures: 11:20, 13:40 and 16:00

The Leyburn station tearoom and shop will be open, serving a selection of hot and cold refreshments. Unfortunately, there will be no café facilities at Leeming Bar station as the platform area will still be set up for The Polar Express.

For customers travelling by car, please note that there is no car parking available at Leeming Bar Station or on the street outside. There is, however, very limited parking available at the O’Briens Fine Foods factory (formerly Vale of Mowbray). Their main carpark is on Leases Road (///jumped.tile.balconies) and there is also a small overflow carpark situated immediately behind the factory site at Low Street (///breakaway.bucket.interests), off Leases Road. Alternatively, you can board the trains at Bedale Station (DL8 1AW) where there is ample parking in the town.

The return ticket price is £25 for adults and £5 for children (aged 3-15). Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are day rovers, allowing all-day travel on any service from any station on the day. Booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

All passengers will be served a complimentary individually wrapped mince pie and a hot drink (tea, coffee or hot chocolate). There will also be the option of a gluten free mince pie or a flapjack, and children can receive a Fruit Shoot or water.

Steam Service - book here: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/steam-mince-pie/

Diesel Service - book here: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/diesel-mince-pie/

Enquiries: phone 01677 425 805 or email admin@wensleydalerailway.com

Nick Keegan, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Wensleydale Railway said: “Our Mince Pie Specials are a great way to enjoy a family day out after your Christmas Day celebrations. Sit back and enjoy the stunning Dales scenery with a hot drink and mince pie served on board by our volunteers.

He added: “Customers can choose from 2 days of steam-hauled services, or one day behind our class 47 heritage diesel locomotive. The visiting steam locomotive has delighted thousands of customers on this year’s THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides. It will leave us at the end of the year, so this is a perfect opportunity for steam enthusiasts to travel behind it and end the year in style!”