Doon Valley Railway: Christmas train trips open days

Doon Valley Railway (DVR), operated by Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group (ARPG), based at Dunaskin near Patna will once again put on Christmas locomotive trips.

The group is run by the volunteers of the preservation group, and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special event.

Set up to keep the steam train world alive in Ayrshire, the group has grand plans for expanding the site in the future, having faced a battle to find a home for the vehicles.

A special 50th anniversary celebration was held recently. (Image: Submitted) Last year, the group was priced out of purchasing the buildings they have rented from their landlord for a number of years, leading to fund-raising efforts to purchase a nearby building.

Plans for the future also include expanding the length of the railway line that the steam locomotive runs across at the moment.

Having had another successful year of open days, group members had hoped that they would be able to put on special Christmas open days.

Now it has been announced that festive-themed train trips will run in November and December.

The 'Santa Trains' will run on November 23, 24 and 30, as well as December 1, 7 and 8.

They will run at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm each day, and cost £15 for adults and £6 for children two and under who can sit on an adult's lap.

Booking will open at 10am on Sunday, October 13, and tickets can be bought online.