FAQs for the Lapland Express

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When is the Lapland Express is running?
It's running for four weekends from the 26th November till 18th December, with trains running 2pm till 5pm.

The full dates are:

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th November ***SPECIAL OFFER ON THIS DATE ONLY***
Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December


Are you running on Christmas Eve? (Saturday 24th)
At this moment in time, no we are not.


Can you tell me how much it is?
Adults: £ 5.50
Children over 3: £ 8.00
Children under 3 and OAP: £ 5.50

Family tickets are not available on these dates.


Do you have any special promotions this year?
Yes! If you decide to travel on the first weekend, one child goes free! This special offer means that if you have a group of two children or more travelling, then buy one ticket and you'll get the other completely free!

Free ticket strictly limited to one per group (i.e groups of three or four will still only get one free ticket) and this offer is not available on December dates.

Can I book?
I'm afraid not, at the moment we cannot take advance bookings, just turn up and pay at the ticket office on the day you wish to travel. Tickets are only valid on the day of purchase.

What all happens on the Lapland Express? Where does it go?
You board the train at Downpatrick Station and take a trip out to Inch Abbey. The train backs up to the Loop Platform where Santa's special North Pole workshop train is waiting, so change trains and your children get their present direct from his workshop, and then you can have a cup of tea or refreshments in the buffet carriage there while you wait for the next train to pick you up again. Depending on Santa's busy work schedule these days, he might also nip on the train! There's also a Thomas the Tank Engine model railway exhibition upstairs in the station while you wait for the train (to keep the children amused). And we have a souvenir shop for late railway-themed Christmas presents - especially Thomas the Tank themed!


I have a teenage son/daughter who don't want to see Santa, do they have to pay the child's fare?
No, if they're too old to see Santa then the adult fares apply. Please advise the ticket clerk.


How long is it, not that long I take it?
The trains will be running at roughly 45 minute intervals, so be prepared to stay at least an hour, maybe even up to 2 hours, so *do* dress up warm.


Will the queues for Santa be long?
The Lapland Express is a very popular event and queuing is inevitable, however you can beat the queues at the ticket office and to collect your present by coming in one of the first weekends, as the closer to Christmas Day the busier it becomes. Simple rules are (1) Sundays are busier than Saturdays (2) most people tend to come around 2 o'clock when doors open so why not wait till 3pm? It *might* help. (STRESS might). Santa will travel up and down the train so there will be no queue to see him there. However there will be a queue to collect the present from him in his Workshop Carriage. We cannot predict how long queues will be, if we've learned one thing it's that we cannot predict visitor patterns. but if you cannot stay please let a member of staff know.

What's the Timetable for the Lapland Express trains?
The Lapland Express runs on-demand, so to speak, so there are no fixed times. However the interval between trains will be between 45 minutes and an hour - approximately - however as long as you come between 2pm and probably 4.45pm at the latest you'll be fine.


Do you have wheelchair access?
Yes, we have wheelchair access into the main station building, as well as wheelchair friendly carriages with double-doors, and disabled toilets at Downpatrick Station building. Please do ask a member of staff for help into the carriages, as a ramp will need to be used.


Are the trains running during the week?
No, only those four weekends and other advertised days.


Is the shop open during the week?
I'm afraid not, but we MIGHT be able to arrange for someone to meet you and open it specially if you've spied something that would make a great Christmas present.


How long is the actual railway line?
The line to Inch Abbey is 2 miles long.


Where is the railway station?
Downpatrick Station is on the main Downpatrick-Newcastle road (the Ballydugan Road). The entrance for the station is between Rathkeltair House (the tax office) and the Ulsterbus station. Look out for the brown road signs that say "Railway Museum" and follow those. We hope to have yellow AA signs up as well.


Where can I board the train?
For the Lapland Express you can only board at Downpatrick Station. Inch Abbey Station will not be open.


Can I board the train in Belfast/Portadown/Bangor, etc?
No, we are not connected to the Northern Ireland Railway (NIR) network. We're built on a line that was closed in 1950. You need to travel to Downpatrick and board at Downpatrick Station.

Do you have anything in January?
Yes, we have our Mince Pie Specials! They're running on New Year's Day, and all passengers receive a glass of punch/mulled wine and a mince pie. Fares are standard rates (£5.50 adults and £4.50 children/concession).


When are you running in 2012?
The specific dates have not yet been set, but will be posted here on our website in early 2012. St. Patrick's Day and Easter will be the next big events.


Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are welcome; the only restriction is the buffet carriage, for obvious reasons. Guide dogs are most welcome, and travel free.


Can you take Visa/Mastercard/etc.?
Yes, we can take credit cards.

Can you take Euros?
Yes we can.