At two and a half it's difficult to know how much a child understands and how much they don't, but I've read her The Night Before Christmas a few times recently, and the big man in red has visited both playgroup and toddler group, so she definitely had at least an idea of what was happening.

But as we sat in the tearoom at Llanfair Caereinion Station, waiting for the Santa Special with a hot chocolate to warm us up, it was difficult to know who was the most excited about going on a steam train journey, me or Amelie.

It's amazing how much Harry Potter has done for the kudos of the steam engine, and there seemed to be as many children excited about going on the 'Hogwarts Express' as there was the Santa Special.

In the carriages the atmosphere was wonderful, and a cheer went up as the train set off.

Outside the frost made the journey almost magical, turning the landscape almost into a picture postcard scene, which made the journey to Toyland seem all the more spectacular.

As my own father remarked when they met us back at the station, 'if you'd gone yesterday in the pouring rain you wouldn't have seen much'.

As it happened we'd been to Gresty Road, Crewe, driving through the pouring rain to join the massed ranks of Doncaster Rovers fans, many in their own Santa outfits getting in the festive spirit.

Back to the train... it pulled in to the first stop, greeted by Santa's helpers, all waving at the children, who were by now getting excited.

Then another train pulled in, and to an enormous roar Santa leapt off and leapt aboard our train.

Amelie's still quite young, so when a complete stranger appears – Santa or no Santa – she can be a little nervous or shy on occasion.

But as soon as the presents come out she's there. And Santa was absolutely terrific at putting even the more shy children at complete ease.

And just how did Santa know that our daughter is such a fan of the Andy Pandy books?

Soon it was time to drop Santa and his helpers off and return to the station, where there was mulled wine and mince pies waiting, as well as grandparents who were only too happy to hear the excited gabbling of a delighted small child.

It was a Santa Special on Saturday as the Afro Goal Machine inspired the Rovers to three points, and it was definitely a Santa Special on Sunday.

All in all, happy days. Top marks to the team at the Welshpool to Llanfair Light Railway for providing something the children will really treasure.

For more information on the railway, visit www.wllr.org.uk or call 01938 810441.