Home > Christmas in Aberdeen > Alford Valley Railway
Summer ghost and Father Christmas trains of the Alford Valley Railway in Aberdeenshire which includes photos of the Santa Train
Alford Valley Railway in Aberdeenshire is a two foot narrow gauge railway run by volunteers taking passengers on a return trip from the Alford Railway Station to the picturesque Haughton Park. The trains are changed in accordance to the seasons. So in the summer passengers can take a trip on the colourful one pictured above whilst during the run up to Xmas they run the Santa Train. Other seasonal trips include the Easter and the ghost one at Halloween.
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The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
Each year, usually in the first two weekends in December, it operates a special 30 minute ride to take children to meet Father Christmas on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the Santa Train trip, the festivities begin with carol singing and song sheets are helpfully provided by the volunteers. The service includes a trip through the Golf Course to Haughton Park and then it returns to Alford Station where tea, coffee and squash is available along with some delicious mince pies, shortbread, biscuits and Christmas pudding. Then the children are taken through by Santa's little helper to meet Father Christmas in the Station Waiting Room. Each child is able to talk to him and receive a present.
They leave every 35 to 40 minutes from 10am with the last departing at 3.30pm. The musical organ plays a range of warming tunes to help pass the time. More entertainment is provided by the guards and the clown. Toilets can be found on the platform, none are on the carriages.
The cost of the Alford Santa Train is £4 for each adult and £5 for each child, which includes a gift for the children.
Nurseries, Playgroups, Schools or Party Groups can book their departure time for the fridays only. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. No bookings can be made on the Saturdays or Sundays but exceptions may be made if you have a large group or require special needs.
The Alford Valley Railway Santa Specials are fantastic seasonal value offering a magical experience for all the family and especially the children. The cost of tickets includes music on and off the train and gift stalls.
This Aberdeenshire Santa Specials have been running successfully for several years thanks to the local volunteers. These include individual volunteers, Guides, Scouts who give up their free time and work hard to make this Christmas event, the highlight of the year. The AVR Company is extremely grateful for their continued help, but more importantly, it is grateful for your support.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
The line and station was opened in 1859 and closed in 1965 after the Beeching Report. It served as a link to Aberdeen and Inverness.
In 1979, a group of enthusiasts created the narrow-gauge railway using salvaged 2' track, wagons and locomotives from New Pitsligo village. It was opened in 1980 and more wagons and locomotives have been acquired over the years. They usually operate between May to September, with the special Santa and Easter trains running as special events.
To get there from Aberdeen take the A944. If you pull into the lay-by as you enter the village, you can see the Aberdeen Angus Statue. Continue through and be prepared to take a right turn - it is sign posted. The car park can be found on the left and the entrance is straight ahead. After your visit you can take a short walk to the left to go to the Grampian Transport Museum.
The Manager
Alford Valley Railway
85 Main Street
AB33 8AD
Telephone: 07879 293934 or 019755 63942
Website: www.alfordvalleyrailway.org.uk
More places to take the children.
More Christmas events in and around Aberdeen.
Ghost Train
At Halloween time the team run a ghost train for children and their families. The ghost train departs from the Railway Station and passengers are told scary stories from the volunteers. The lights are switched off and since the track goes through fields it is atmospherically dark and things get really spooky when the sound effects are switched on! Those running it dress in Halloween costumes such as wizards, witches, ghosts and skeletons.
Once it returns children can play Halloween games such as apple dooking and taking part in colouring competitions.
Alford Valley Railway
Summer ghost and Father Christmas trains of the Alford Valley Railway in Aberdeenshire which includes photos of the Santa Train
Alford Valley Railway in Aberdeenshire is a two foot narrow gauge railway run by volunteers taking passengers on a return trip from the Alford Railway Station to the picturesque Haughton Park. The trains are changed in accordance to the seasons. So in the summer passengers can take a trip on the colourful one pictured above whilst during the run up to Xmas they run the Santa Train. Other seasonal trips include the Easter and the ghost one at Halloween. Follow us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Contact Me.
My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
Alford Santa Train
Each year, usually in the first two weekends in December, it operates a special 30 minute ride to take children to meet Father Christmas on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the Santa Train trip, the festivities begin with carol singing and song sheets are helpfully provided by the volunteers. The service includes a trip through the Golf Course to Haughton Park and then it returns to Alford Station where tea, coffee and squash is available along with some delicious mince pies, shortbread, biscuits and Christmas pudding. Then the children are taken through by Santa's little helper to meet Father Christmas in the Station Waiting Room. Each child is able to talk to him and receive a present. They leave every 35 to 40 minutes from 10am with the last departing at 3.30pm. The musical organ plays a range of warming tunes to help pass the time. More entertainment is provided by the guards and the clown. Toilets can be found on the platform, none are on the carriages. The cost of the Alford Santa Train is £4 for each adult and £5 for each child, which includes a gift for the children.
Nurseries, Playgroups, Schools or Party Groups can book their departure time for the fridays only. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. No bookings can be made on the Saturdays or Sundays but exceptions may be made if you have a large group or require special needs.
The Alford Valley Railway Santa Specials are fantastic seasonal value offering a magical experience for all the family and especially the children. The cost of tickets includes music on and off the train and gift stalls.
This Aberdeenshire Santa Specials have been running successfully for several years thanks to the local volunteers. These include individual volunteers, Guides, Scouts who give up their free time and work hard to make this Christmas event, the highlight of the year. The AVR Company is extremely grateful for their continued help, but more importantly, it is grateful for your support.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
The line and station was opened in 1859 and closed in 1965 after the Beeching Report. It served as a link to Aberdeen and Inverness.
In 1979, a group of enthusiasts created the narrow-gauge railway using salvaged 2' track, wagons and locomotives from New Pitsligo village. It was opened in 1980 and more wagons and locomotives have been acquired over the years. They usually operate between May to September, with the special Santa and Easter trains running as special events. To get there from Aberdeen take the A944. If you pull into the lay-by as you enter the village, you can see the Aberdeen Angus Statue. Continue through and be prepared to take a right turn - it is sign posted. The car park can be found on the left and the entrance is straight ahead. After your visit you can take a short walk to the left to go to the Grampian Transport Museum.
The Manager
Alford Valley Railway
85 Main Street
AB33 8AD
Telephone: 07879 293934 or 019755 63942
Website: www.alfordvalleyrailway.org.uk
More places to take the children.
More Christmas events in and around Aberdeen.
Ghost Train
At Halloween time the team run a ghost train for children and their families. The ghost train departs from the Railway Station and passengers are told scary stories from the volunteers. The lights are switched off and since the track goes through fields it is atmospherically dark and things get really spooky when the sound effects are switched on! Those running it dress in Halloween costumes such as wizards, witches, ghosts and skeletons.
Once it returns children can play Halloween games such as apple dooking and taking part in colouring competitions.
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