Pictures have given a sneak peek inside Scotrail’s Santa Express which makes its way from Edinburgh Waverley to the Highlands today with hundreds of happy families onboard.
Santa will be onboard as well as a number of cheeky elves hiding through the Christmas themed carriages.
The Festive train will travel from the capital to the Boat of Garten where the passengers will be greeted by Santa’s reindeers.
The train set off at about 9am and will travel up through the picturesque Scottish scenery to the Highlands before heading back to Edinburgh for around 5pm.
It’s the first of five Christmas specials in the lead up to the big day in a festive partnership between ScotRail, the Railway Children charity and Father Christmas.
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On 11 and 18 December, another two Santa Express specials will leave Waverley each day and travel around the Fife Circle line, one in the morning and the second in the afternoon.
Tickets sold out in hours, raising £33,000 for the Railway Children charity which fights for vulnerable children who live alone and at risk on the streets, where they suffer abuse and exploitation.
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The Santa Express trains will be decked out in a festive theme and Father Christmas will be walking up and down the train in person to hand out gifts that have been donated by staff and partner organisations to keep costs down.
Inside the beautiful festive carriages on the Santa Express.
The special journeys have raised over £30,000 for charity.
There are cheeky elves hidden throughout the train.
Elves were on hand to help at the Edinburgh departure point this morning.
The train left just before 9am this morning and will come back to Edinburgh for 5pm.
