The full route for a much loved festive train that travels across the North East spreading Christmas cheer has been revealed - here's everything you need to know. 

Thousands of people step out every year to see South Hetton's very own Puffing Billy train which travels across the North East for the festive season each year.

The train was lovingly built back in 2012 - after an attempt to buy and repurpose a train from Butlins fell through.

Jolene Brumby, 44, told The Northern Echo: "My dad built Puffing Billy in 2012 - he tried to buy a Puffing Billy from Butlin's and couldn't. So, he stripped back an airport trolley and built it up.

"We decided we wanted it to travel and started off doing random routes. But, as Billy has gotten bigger we decided to go down a more structured route."

Every year since, the team including elves, Santa and Mrs Claus have travelled near and far across the North East "spreading Christmas cheer" - and this year is of course, no exception.

Whilst Jolene says the festive season is a "stressful" time of year for her, the support she gets from people across the region is wholly positive.

For those who come out to see Billy, they won't have to pay for the privilege. As for timings, bosses have confirmed that they will be revealed soon. 

Here's the full schedule - is Puffing Billy coming to your town?

The Puffing Billy schedule 2024.The Puffing Billy schedule 2024. (Image: PUFFING BILLY)

December 8

  • Haswell
  • Haswell Plough
  • Ludworth
  • Wheatley Hill
  • Trimdon Colliery
  • Trimdon Village
  • Trimdon Grange
  • Thornley

December 9

  • South Hetton
  • Easington
  • Easington Colliery
  • Grants Houses
  • Horden
  • Peterlee

December 10

  • Easington Lane
  • Hetton
  • Houghton
  • Hall Lane Estate
  • Burnside
  • Newbottle
  • Herrington Burn
  • Penshaw
  • Shiney Row
  • Elba Park
  • Bournmoor
  • Fence Houses

December 11

  • Hawthorn
  • Dalton le Dale
  • Seaham Parkside
  • Dawdon
  • Sea front
  • East Shore Village
  • Deneside
  • Westlea
  • Dalton Park
  • Murton

December 12

  • Great Lumley
  • Chester-Le-Street
  • Waldridge
  • Newton Hall
  • Durham (Pity Me)
  • Durham
  • Gilesgate/Durham
  • Sherburn
  • Pittington

December 16

  • Hartlepool
  • Blackhall Colliery/Rocks
  • Haselden
  • Wingate
  • Shotton Colliery

December 17

  • Wessington Way
  • Town End Farm
  • Hylton Castle
  • Redhouse
  • Southwick
  • Millfield
  • Barnes
  • Ashbrooke
  • Hendon

December 18

  • Ford Estate
  • South Hylton
  • Pennywell
  • Grindon
  • Farringdon
  • Doxford Park
  • Ryhope
  • Tunstall

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December 19

  • Fatfield
  • Biddick
  • Washington Village
  • Albany
  • Concord
  • Donwell
  • Blackfell
  • Oxclose
  • Lambton
  • Ayton
  • Rickleton
  • Harraton