Magical panto fun aboard a steam train in Derbyshire

The creative team at Ecclesbourne Valley Railway has teamed up with OnTrack Productions to design a ground-breaking show which mixes live theatre with a magical ride on a train.

This special event celebrates the tenth anniversary of the railway opening the Wirksworth to Duffield line. Expect to cheer popular legendary characters as the story unfolds with lots of fun and action for everyone to enjoy along the way!

Entitled The Train Through Legendary Countryside, the pantomime runs from August 21 to 30.

The journey will take families along the Ecclesbourne River which has been a source of magic throughout the area. Over time heroes would visit the river to sample its magic for themselves. As time went by the railway was built alongside the river and this angered a fairy known as Wyverness. She felt that the railway would destroy the magic forever so much so that one night, some 30 years ago, she placed a spell on the line. It quickly became overgrown and no trains were able to travel down the line. That is until ten years ago when, at last, the spell was broken and trains could return to the magical Ecclesbourne Valley.

Tom Tait, the commercial director at Ecclebourne Valley Railway, said: “We are delighted to welcome back the actors from OnTrack Productions who made last year’s Christmas trains so successful. With a unique story line and their particular brand of fun I’m sure everyone will have a magical time.

"Following months of lockdown their new production offers our visitors a fantastic, fun packed experience that will help bring back the feel good factor to summer."

Group tickets per compartment, which can accommodate up to six people, cost from £55 ; to book, go to www.e-v-r.com/legendary/

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