Mid-Norfolk Railway hosts Polar Express for Ukrainians

The first journey on this year's season of the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s Polar Express has been run just for Ukrainian refugees who have moved to the county since Russia's invasion in February last year. 

Run in partnership with the Dereham Ukraine Centre, 145 Ukrainians and their host families from Dereham and surrounding villages enjoyed the ride. 

The first journey for the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s Polar Express was for Ukrainian children living in Norfolk, organised with Dereham Ukraine Centre (Image: Mid-Norfolk Railway)Graham Watts, the chairman of the railway, said: “The war in Ukraine is in the news still on a regular basis and it is now two years since this conflict began.

"There is little we can do, however, what we can do is hopefully bring some fun and joy at this time of the year to these families that find themselves living here in Norfolk not through choice”.

The Polar Express is one of the heritage line's most popular attractions and features dancing chefs and waiters serving cookies and hot chocolate to passengers as the train rumbles through the mid-Norfolk countryside. 

Christmas carols are sung, and the story of the Polar Express is read out.

Most tickets for this year's season have now been sold with just a few pairs still available from the railway’s website.

The first journey for the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s Polar Express was for Ukrainian children living in Norfolk, organised with Dereham Ukraine Centre (Image: Mid-Norfolk Railway)