Polar Express back on track at South Devon Railway with West End expertise

The Polar Express Train Ride will return to the South Devon Railway this winter, marking the fifth year the popular Christmas experience has run at the Buckfastleigh heritage line.

The immersive event, based on the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and the Warner Bros. film adaptation, has become a fixture of the festive season in South Devon. Performers bring the story to life on board vintage carriages with characters including the Conductor, dancing chefs and Santa himself.

This year’s production is being staged with input from West End director Pip Minnithorpe, whose credits include Wicked and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. New lighting and enhanced music are also being introduced to heighten the experience.

The Polar Express experience now operates at more than 50 locations worldwide and welcomed over 1.5 million passengers last year. Its success has provided a significant boost to heritage railways such as the South Devon Railway, combining live theatre with family tradition.

The event runs from early November until 23 December, with audiences encouraged to take part in the tradition of wearing pyjamas on board.

Further information is available at southdevonrailwaythepolarexpressride.com .