BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR THE SWANAGE RAILWAY FESTIVE FUND-RAISING 'SANTA SPECIAL' STEAM TRAINS

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - updated 2nd October 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright as noted
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A previous Swanage Railway Santa Special Service hauled by ex-SR 4-6-2 "Battle of Britain" Class No. 34070 Manston with the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle in the background. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are taking bookings for their popular 'Santa Special' and 'Wessex Belle' Christmas lunch steam trains which will be bringing festive cheer to the relaid Purbeck Line throughout December.

By the end of Christmas Eve, the atmospheric fund-raising steam trains will have run more than 430 miles - the equivalent distance from Purbeck to Bordeaux in southern France - and early booking is advised as last Christmas, the 'Santa Special' trains sold out.

A previous Swanage Railway Santa Special Service at Corfe castle station. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Enjoyed by excited children and adults alike, profits from the trains are going towards extending and developing the award-winning six mile relaid Purbeck Line - between Norden 'park and ride', Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston and Swanage - which has been rebuilt from nothing since 1976.

Starting from Swanage station - and offering an evocative journey through the beautiful Purbeck countryside with Father Christmas - the 'Santa Special' steam train trips last an hour and run on Saturdays and Sundays until 18 December, 2011, (inclusive) and also on 22, 23 and 24 December, 2011.

With festive entertainment on the 'Santa Special' steam trains, each child receives an age and gender related wrapped present from Father Christmas himself - as well as a complimentary soft drink and biscuit - while adults receive a festive mince pie and seasonal drink.

The Swanage Railway heritage diesel train from Norden to Swanage. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

And if passengers book in advance - at the same time as their 'Santa Special' ticket booking - to take a heritage diesel train from Norden to Swanage to join their 'Santa Special' train, that diesel journey is half price and includes free parking at the attended Norden station 'park and ride' car park.

Swanage Railway volunteers are also operating their popular 'Wessex Belle' Christmas lunch trains on Saturdays and Sundays until 18 December, 2011, (inclusive) and also on 22 December, 2011 - each three-course lunch train making two return trips between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden.

The Swanage Railway's 'Wessex Belle' Christmas lunch train hauled by ex-SR 4-6-2 "Battle of Britain" Class No. 34070 Manston Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "For many children and adults, meeting Santa on the steam train as it runs through the beautiful Purbeck countryside has become an important part of Christmas while our festive dining services are ideal for groups such as workplace Christmas lunches."

There are four 'Santa Special' steam trains on each operating day - departing a festively decorated Swanage station at 10.30am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 3pm for the one-hour round trip during which children receive their wrapped present from Father Christmas accompanied by elves and his other helpers.

A previous Swanage Railway Santa Special Service passing through Corfe Castle. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

'Santa Special' passengers can leave their vehicles in the attended car park next to Norden station - off the main A351 road from Wareham just north of Corfe Castle - and take a heritage diesel rail bus to Swanage before boarding a 'Santa Special' or enjoying a festive three-course 'Wessex Belle' lunch.

Martin Payne added: "There is a lovely magical atmosphere on the 'Santa Specials' where the excitement, novelty and atmosphere of travelling on a steam train through the beautiful Purbeck countryside is matched with the unforgettable experience of meeting Father Christmas during the journey.

Young visitors meet Santa on board the Swanage Railway's Special Service. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

"Our volunteers love working on the 'Santa Specials' because it is so rewarding to see the children's faces light up as they see a real steam train, often for the first time, before meeting Father Christmas and receiving their present," he explained.

'Santa Special' tickets are £13 per person - adult or child - or £47 for group tickets covering any combination of four people. Reduced fares apply for Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December, 2011 - £11.50 per person - adult or child - or £40 for group tickets covering any combination of four people.

Full 'Santa Special' service details are available from the Swanage Railway on 01929 425800 - or by visiting our dedicated page here.

To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph to view a full size version, and then click on CLOSE or 'x' on your keyboard to close it and return to this page.

The photos on this page can also be viewed as a slideshow - just click on any image and then click on the enlarged to continue scrolling through the photos - Next and Previous links on the right and left of the photos - or use the CLOSE link or 'x' on your keyboard to exit