LEGOLAND-themed train unveiled to mark Windsor resort’s 30th anniversary

A brightly coloured LEGO-themed train has been unveiled at London Waterloo to celebrate the 30th anniversary of LEGOLAND Windsor Resort.

South Western Railway (SWR) surprised passengers on Tuesday morning by revealing the specially named ‘LEGOLAND Locomotive’, featuring a vibrant LEGO-inspired design.

The Arterio train was launched alongside LEGO character ‘Brick Suit Girl’ before departing for Windsor & Eton Riverside railway station, the main gateway for visitors travelling to the theme park.

The unveiling marks exactly 30 years since the Windsor attraction first opened its doors on March 17, 1996, with thousands of families continuing to travel by train to visit the resort each year.

SWR said the themed train celebrates the role rail travel plays in family days out, with journeys forming part of the overall experience.

Parenting expert Rachel Kelly said train travel can also be particularly beneficial for children.

“There’s plenty of research about the importance of creativity in children for their psychological health and wellbeing, and train journeys provide the ideal time and opportunity for imaginative play,” she said.

“Being absorbed in things like drawing, doodling, building with LEGO or simply looking out the window to watch the world go by, induces a ‘flow state’, similar to mindfulness, where worries and stress hormones reduce and positive hormones like dopamine increase.

“Train journeys can provide precious, uninterrupted time away from screens and everyday distractions, allowing children – and parents - to slow down, setting up families for a fun-filled day out.”

The celebration also marked a significant milestone for SWR’s £1 billion Arterio fleet, which now operates more than 500 services every day across the suburban network.

The Arterio fleet – including the LEGOLAND Locomotive – connects travellers to a range of major attractions operated by Merlin Entertainments, including the Windsor resort.

Fiona Eastwood, Chief Executive Officer of Merlin Entertainments – the parent company of LEGOLAND Windsor Resort – said the LEGOLAND Locomotive was a fitting way to mark the milestone anniversary.

“This route brings families to Merlin destinations, from LEGOLAND at one end to our South Bank attractions – including the London Eye – at the other, and Thorpe Park along the way,” she added.

“Thanks to South Western Railway, guests can leave the car at home and enjoy memorable visits to a number of Merlin locations both on this route and beyond.

"And what better way to reach one of our seven attractions than on the LEGOLAND Locomotive!”

Ramesh Ganeson, Merlin’s Vice President of the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, said this is a 'fantastic' addition to the 30th birthday celebrations. 

"Not only can families look forward to travelling on our Hill Train at the Resort, but they can now begin their LEGOLAND adventure earlier in the day by boarding the eclectic LEGOLAND locomotive to experience an awesome journey of play and creativity, making memories to last a lifetime," he added.

SWR fleet director James Wale also said the initiative highlights how rail travel connects people with ‘the places they love’.

“Naming one of our trains the LEGOLAND Locomotive celebrates the idea that train travel is more than simply getting A to B,” he said. The journey is all part of the adventure," he said.

“The LEGOLAND Locomotive and our partnership with Merlin attractions is a fantastic way to mark a major milestone for one of the network’s most popular attractions and highlight the vital role rail plays in connecting communities with great destinations across our region.”

Passengers travelling by train can also access discounted entry to the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, with SWR offering one-third off one-day entry tickets.