OVER 32,000 people, most of them dressed in pyjamas, decided they did believe and boarded the Polar Express for a journey to the new North Pole of Wensleydale.

The huge support which brought people from all over the North and beyond has helped put the heritage Wensleydale railway well and truly on the right track for 2020. The railway worked with a theme company to run the Yorkshire Polar Express for 19 days up to Christmas transporting thousands of children and accompanying adults, along the 18 mile line from Leeming Bar, through Bedale and Leyburn to Redmire. The steam locomotive which pulled it was built in the USA in 1945 and sent to Europe to help with the war effort before being restored by the Churnet Valley Railway.

Teresa Chapman for Wensleydale Railway said: "It was a huge success we have been absolutely thrilled with it there have been so many delighted children and adults. We had people coming from all over the place with volunteers and actors helping to run the Polar Express.

"It really has helped put us on the map and get the Wensleydale railway known, we are hoping many people will be coming back in the summer to see the railway in all it's glory."