February half-term events

Enjoy some great family days out on heritage train lines including everyone's favourite Thomas the Tank Engine and Wizard Week where you could meet Derek the friendly Dragon, see wizard duels, owl displays and more.

Meet Thomas the Tank Engine

Location: Churnet Valley Railway

• Dates: February 11, 12, 15, 18, 19
• Description: Meet Thomas the Tank Engine at the CVR, take a brake van ride with Toad & Thomas, or say hello to Sir Topham Hatt the Fat Controller. Other activities planned include Thomas arts and crafts, magic shows, puppet workshops, Mega Bloks play station, Thomas temporary transfers, and a story telling corner. There will also be a ‘Spot the engine competition.’
• Nearest mainline stations: Stoke, Uttoxeter.
• Find out more: www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk

Location: Kent & East Sussex Railway

• Dates: February 11, 12, 18, 19
• Description: Thomas will be appearing at Tenterden with some of his friends including Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller. Tickets cost £13.50 per adult and £10.50 per child and include a one hour train ride to Wittersham Road behind one of the railway's engines, regular Annie & Clarabel rides at the station behind Thomas, the chance to enjoy ‘Thomas & Friends’ station scenarios as well as a daily fun packed programme of children's events with Uncle Myles and Charlie the Clown. There will be a giant television screen playing Thomas DVDs for children to watch, plus face painting, roundabout rides, skittles, hoopla, and colouring activities.
• Nearest mainline station: Ashford.
• Find out more: www.kesr.org.uk

Location: Llangollen Railway

• Dates: February 11, 12, 16-19
• Description: The Llangollen Railway is promising a fun day out with Thomas, Sir Topham Hatt, Daisy, Goliath & Clarabel. Tickets include brake van rides with Thomas & Clarabel at Llangollen Station, unlimited travel on Daisy or Goliath throughout the day, and access to the Imagination Station offering free face Painting, Thomas DVD screenings, colouring & craft workshop, and Thomas temporary tattoos. there will also be live entertainment at Llangollen and a puppet show at Carrog.
• Nearest mainline station: Ruabon.
• Find out more: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Location: Nene Valley Railway

• Dates: February 11-16, 18, 19
• Description: Thomas the Tank Engine will also be appearing at the NVR, hauling trains on the branchline from Wansford to Yarwell Junction and back. On the journey, look out for the friendly ghost as you travel through the haunted tunnel.
• Nearest mainline station: Peterborough.
• Find out more: www.nvr.org.uk

Wizard Week

Location: National Railway Museum, York

• Dates: February 11-19
• Description: See ‘Hogwarts Castle - the star steam loco from the Harry Potter films, or take part in a number of wizard-themed activities. Events include a best-dressed wizard competition with a chance to win a one-to-one magic class with Magic Hatter, an exciting owl experience with Falconry UK Ltd and more. There will also be wizard duels, owl displays, a chance to meet Derek the friendly Dragon, magic tricks and balloon modelling. Visitors can also make their own Wizard ID badge (small extra charge), how have their picture taken on a flying broomstick (fee applies).
• Nearest mainline station: York.
• Find out more: www.nrm.org.uk

Kids for a Quid

Location: Bluebell Railway

• Dates: February 11-19
• Description: All children travel for a pound during half-term week when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Trains depart Sheffield Park on the hour from 11.00 to 16.00, and all services are steam hauled by an historic locomotive.
• Nearest mainline stations: East Grinstead, Haywards Heath.
• Find out more: www.bluebell-railway.co.uk

Teddy Bear week

Location: Bure Valley Railway (Narrow gauge)

• Dates: February 11-19
• Description: Join the line’s new mascot bear, with free travel for every child who brings their own teddy when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (maximum of two children per adult). Teddy bear themed food will be available at Aylsham, and every child travelling can take part in a bear themed competition. Trains depart Aylsham at 10.00, 12:40 and 15.30; and from Wroxham at 11.10, 14.00 and 16.40.
• Nearest mainline station: Wroxham, Norfolk.
• Find out more: www.bvrw.co.uk

Drive a miniature Thomas

Location: Great Central Railway

• Dates: February 11, 12
• Description: The GCR is offering a number of events for children during the first weekend of half-term. There will be free face painting at the Butler Henderson tearoom at Quorn, hide and find activity at Leicester North, and a picture hunt competition at Rothley with a prize for the winner. Normal adult and concessionary fares apply, but children under 15 travel for £1 while under 5s go free. Meanwhile at Rothley’s miniature garden railway, children can drive Thomas for £2
• Nearest mainline station: Loughborough, Leicester.
• Find out more: www.gcrailway.co.uk

Diesel railcar shuttles

Location: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

• Dates: February 11,12, 14-16, 18,19
• Description: The G-WR is offering a first this year with its ‘kids go free’ diesel railcar shuttles from Toddington. The 1960s train will run to Hailes Abbey and then back over the 15 arch Stanway viaduct to Laverton. All children will travel free with a fare-paying adult, and visitors can make as many trips as they wish.
• Nearest mainline stations: Cheltenham, Evesham.
• Find out more: www.gwsr.com

Meet Postman Pat

Location: Mid-Hants Railway

• Dates: February 13-17
• Description: Postman Pat and Jess the Cat will visit the MHR and set a special mission for children that involves a trip on a steam train. Those who complete the mission will receive a Postman Pat memento. The Old Goods Shed at Alresford will feature face painting, colouring and activity sheets plus DVD shows. Fares are adult £14, child (aged 2-16) £7, and free for under-2s. A family (2 + 2) is £35.
• Nearest mainline station: Alton.
• Find out more: www.watercressline.co.uk

Bikes, buggies and all welcome

Location: Rhymney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (Narrow gauge)

• Dates: February 11-20
• Description: Children get unlimited travel for £1 with every fare-paying adult throughout the half-term week at the RH&DR - whose trains convey a luggage van specially for bikes and buggies, as well as a wheelchair accessible coach. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome, although not in the Bar Car. All carriages are fully enclosed and weather-proofed against whatever February brings.
• Nearest mainline station: Sandling, Kent.
• Find out more: www.rhdr.org.uk

Colouring Competition

Location: Severn Valley Railway

• Dates: February 11-19
• Description: Every child travelling can pick up a pack of crayons and a picture to colour and take part in a half-term colouring competition with a chance to win a prize. Trains operate daily over the full length of the line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.
• Nearest mainline station: Kidderminster.
• Find out more: www.svr.co.uk