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Stephenson Railway Museum, North Tyneside
Stephenson Railway Museum, North Tyneside 
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Stephenson Railway Museum
Middle Engine Lane
North Shields
NE29 8DX
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Fantastic trip on an old fashioned train to see Santa. You board the train at the museum which houses a few old engines and some interactive displays. You are taken, very slowly,down the track perhaps 1.5 miles to the sound of a local musician and storyteller who moves up and down the two carriages singing Christmas songs whilst he plays the guitar. Audience participation is a must. All of the kids on the train loved it and were happy to get involved. Parents were not far behind. When the train comes to a halt a special guest appears....Santa. He takes time to chat to the children and providing they have been good he gives them a small gift. Once all of the children have seen the man himself the train moves away back to the museum to the sound of more singing and clapping. On arrival back at the museum we were treated to a buffet of mince pies, cakes and crisps. From start to finish we spent around 90 minutes at the venue and loved every minute of it. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon close to Christmas just to get us in the mood!
My top tips:  Bought the tickets a while ago so cant remember exactly what it cost but did not pay the earth Parents/Guardians/Grown ups: Ditch your inhabitions and sing and clap!
Star Rating:
Submitted by:  septictoe on 13 December 2009
Today we took our two year old to the Santa Special train ride at the Stephenson Railway Museum in Wallsend, North Tyneside. We had to pre book our tickets but it was well worth it. You get aboard an old train (with the bouncy springy seats) that is pulled by an old diesel loco. The carriage is all decked out with presents in the luggage racks (for effect) and there is a story teller / musician helping you get in the festive mood. He had us all singing Christmas songs, clapping and cheering even before we set off. Tony Wilson, is the entertainer and really gets you into the spirit. The journey is fairly short, but at the stop at the end of the track Santa appears and gives all the children a present, and as you write the childs name and age on the ticket, they get an age specific present and Santa calls their name out to give them it! He asks them lots of questions including have you written to me and what do you want for Christmas, and really is in character! Our little one fell asleep as soon as the train pulled out of the station, so missed all the excitement, but we as parents enjoyed the experience and the friends we were with and their children all had great fun! Once the train returns (about 40 minutes later) to the museum you can get a cup of tea and they set out a small buffet of mince pies, cake and crisps for the children. I've never been to the museum before even though its right on my doorstep, so I think once Christmas is over we'll take a look around at the exhibits they have as they have Stephenson's steam engine Billy which is a forerunner of the Rocket!
My top tips:  If you want to go on the Santa express you need to book your tickets in advance. I don't think you can pay on the door as they have limited spaces on the train. However, the museum is free I think. It cost us £8 per person but was a great few hours out, and really got us all into the festive mood. If you are wanting to do a bit of shopping the Silverlink Retail Park is only 5 minutes away in the car and you actually pass it on the train!
Star Rating:
Submitted by:   glorious on 13 December 2009
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

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