Exotic Express

at Telford Steam Railway
Telford Available from Mon 4 May to Sun 5 Jul

Inc. unlimited, all-day travel

Book Telford Steam Railway tickets & see exotic animals up-close, meet zoo keepers & ride on a historic steam train in Telford

Get ready for an unforgettable wildlife adventure as Telford Steam Railway teams up with Telford’s Exotic Zoo to bring you the Exotic Express! See incredible animals up close, meet friendly zoo keepers, and enjoy a magical journey along a historic steam railway.

  • Experience Britain’s *wildest* train ride, featuring animals brought onboard by expert zoo keepers
  • Meet fascinating creatures up close - you may even get the chance to hold them!
  • Enjoy a full round‑trip (approx. 50 minutes) packed with animal talks, fun facts & hands‑on encounters
  • Your ticket includes unlimited rides on the standard gauge railway for the whole day

All aboard the Exotic Express at Telford Steam Railway - tickets include unlimited all-day rides on the standard gauge railway

  • Dates: May 4th & July 5th
  • Age Suitability: Suitable for families, animal lovers & children (dogs not permitted on the Exotic Express)
  • Location: Departing from Spring Village Station, Telford Steam Railway
  • Tickets include: One Exotic Express train ride (12pm or 1:30pm), all‑day travel on the standard gauge railway, plus access to the Telford Town Tramway & Model Railway Exhibition
  • Please Note: The journey lasts the full 50‑minute round trip (Spring Village - Lawley Halt - Horsehay & Dawley - return). Passengers are advised to remain onboard to avoid missing the experience.

Come face‑to‑face with amazing zoo animals on Britain's wildest train ride in Telford!

As your train departs Spring Village Station, zookeepers will begin a fascinating talk about the animals-where they come from, how they survive in the wild, and what makes them so special.

The animals will then be brought directly to your seat for an extraordinary up‑close encounter. Friendly zoo keepers will answer questions, offer guidance, and-if safe-allow guests the opportunity to gently hold certain animals. (Holding animals is at the keepers’ discretion.)

  • Meet the Animals: Meet exotic animals from Exotic Zoo Wildlife Park, including Woody the Armadillo, Millie the Millipede, Sally the Skunk & Greg the Grass Snake!
  • Friendly Zoo Keepers: The friendly Zoo Keepers will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have about the animals.
  • 50-minute Train Journey: This experience will last for the full round trip (around 50 minutes), so please don't leave the train when it stops at Horsehay & Dawley station.

Your adventure continues after your Exotic Express ride with all‑day access to:

  • Standard Gauge Railway: Ride all day across three historic stations on this heritage line.
  • Telford Town Tramway: Travel on the UK’s only operational steam tramway (note: may be closed for May 4th service).
  • Model Railway Exhibition: Explore three stunning layouts, including a recreation of Stafford Station.

Book Exotic Express tickets today and embark on a truly wild day out filled with nature, steam trains and close‑up animal encounters at Telford Steam Railway! 

Location

Spring Village Station

Telford Steam Railway,
52 Bridge Rd,
Spring Village,
Horsehay,
Telford,
TF4 2NF
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How to find us

Departure Point: Spring Village Station, Telford Steam Railway, 52 Bridge Rd, Spring Village, Horsehay, Telford TF4 2NF

  • Free parking is available at Spring Village Station (The Old Loco Shed, Bridge Rd, Horsehay, Telford, TF4 2NF)
  • You'll board the Exotic Express at Spring Village Station at either 12:00 or 1:30 depending on which slot you book.
Facilities
  • Food and drink at Horshay Cafe
  • Free parking at Spring Village Station
More Info
Exotic Express: Terms and Conditions:

Your Exotic Express experience will only be on the 12pm or 1:30pm departures from Spring Village station. Your ticket allows you to travel on all other departures, but they will not have the animals on them.

  • No dogs are allowed on the Exotic Express
  • Every passenger on the Exotic Express must remain seated around their table during the experience and not make sudden loud noises or movements that might scare the animals.
  • The Zoo Keepers will bring the animals to each of the tables but it will be their decision whether the animals can be held by the passengers and for how long. Being able to hold the animals is not guaranteed.
  • The experience will last for a full round trip starting and finishing at Spring Village. There is no need to leave the train at Horsehay & Dawley station.
  • What type of animals, and how many are shown during the experience, will be at the descretion on Exotic Zoo Wildlife Park.
  • The same animals will be shown on both departures 
Is Telford Steam Railway wheelchair accessible?

Due to the nature of the coaches, Telford Steam Railway is not currently wheelchair accessible. 

Are there any age restrictions for Telford Steam Railway?

Telford Steam Railway is suitable for all ages!

How long do steam tram rides at Telford Steam Railway run for?

A full round trip lasts for approx. 50 minutes

Is there food and drink at Telford Steam Railway?

The Horsehay Cafe will also be available next door, for a lovely meal or drink.

What's included in Telford Steam Railway tickets?

Included in your tickets:

  • Pay Once and Ride All Day: Ride on all the standard gauge services throughout the day 
  • Three Historic Stations: Climb aboard your heritage train and journey to three historic stations, to uncover the history of each site
  • Telford Town Tramway: Ride on the UK's only Steam Tramway at Horsehay Pool. The unique 2ft Gauge steam tram will let you relive the lost age of steam trams. 
  • Journey to Old Loco Shed Station: Have a peek into our engineering workshops, and see future restoration projects. 
  • Model Railway Exhibition: Discover the miniature world at the Top Link Model Railway. Situated in Railway House, this expansive layout lets you marvel at the railways from above. There are three wonderful layouts for you to view, including a recreation of Stafford Station before redevelopment.
  • The Horsehay Cafe will also be available next door, for a lovely meal or drink.

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