Santa’s Train

In 2025, the event carries special significance, as steam traction returns after several years, symbolising the beginnings of rail transport and representing a rarity not only in Slovenia but also at the European level.

The technical heart of Santa’s Train

The central element of Santa’s Train is the heritage steam locomotive SŽ 25-026, one of the few steam locomotives in Slovenia that is still operational. The locomotive belongs to Class 25, with a wheel arrangement of 2-8-0 (UIC: 1′D h2), meaning one leading axle and four driving axles.

It was built in 1920 at the Lokomotivfabrik Floridsdorf in Vienna and was originally designed as a freight locomotive for medium-demand routes.

The locomotive operates at a boiler pressure of approximately 13 bar, has a working weight of around 78 tonnes, and a maximum permitted speed of about 60 km/h, which is more than sufficient for heritage and themed services. The diameter of the driving wheels (approximately 1,260 mm) ensures stable operation even on more curved sections of track, which is particularly important given today’s limited choice of suitable routes. Today, SŽ 25-026 is part of the collection of the Railway Museum Ljubljana, and its operation requires specially trained staff, regular technical inspections and substantial maintenance costs, making its appearances rare and carefully planned.

The history of Santa’s Train

Santa’s Train in this form is not a new initiative. In previous years, Slovenian Railways organised the service regularly until 2020, when a multi-year interruption followed due to epidemiological conditions and technical constraints. The year 2025 therefore marks the first return of steam traction to Santa’s Train after five years, carrying strong symbolic value for both railway enthusiasts and the wider public.

Santa train route this year

This year’s organisation has been adapted to current network conditions. Due to extensive infrastructure works on the railway network and the limitations associated with operating a heritage steam locomotive, Santa’s Train runs on shorter, regionally distributed routes. Services take place on 20 and 21 December 2025, with a total of 15 individual journeys scheduled. The routes include connections between Ljubljana, Kamnik, Grosuplje, Ivančna Gorica, Trebnje, Litija, Zidani Most and Sevnica, and are designed so that passengers can return using regular train services.

What makes Santa’s Train special is not only the locomotive, but also the onboard programme.

Children receive a gift, the carriages are festively decorated, and the journeys are timed so that they last between 45 minutes and 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on the route. 

One notable feature of this year’s edition is the exceptionally fast sell-out of tickets, which went on sale in early December and were snapped up very quickly due to the limited capacity of the heritage trainset. This confirms that interest in railway heritage and experiential train journeys in Slovenia is not declining, but rather growing.

More Than a Festive Ride

Santa’s Train is therefore not merely a festive attraction, but an example of successful integration of cultural heritage, sustainable mobility and family tourism. Each journey serves as a reminder of the technical expertise of the past and a demonstration that century-old technology can still inspire today, especially when accompanied by steam, the sound of the whistle and festive anticipation on the platform.