'SANTA SPECIAL' & CHRISTMAS LUNCH STEAM TRAIN TICKETS SELL FAST WITH THE FIRST FESTIVE TRAINS JUST WEEKS AWAY

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 14th November 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Swanage Railway Santa Specials - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

Swanage Railway 'Santa Special' and 'Wessex Belle' Christmas lunch steam train tickets are selling fast - with the first of the festive trains run by dedicated Purbeck Line volunteers just a few weeks away.

And passengers booking to travel on the first weekend of the festive 'Santa Special' steam trains - Saturday, 3 and 4 December, 2011 - receive a 24 per cent discount on the cost of their tickets.

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.

Swanage Railway Santa Specials - Photograph 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.

Swanage Railway Santa Specials - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "Seats are selling very quickly and some dates for our 'Santa Special' and 'Wessex Belle' Christmas lunches are already sold out."

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.

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 Santa Specials - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

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.

Mr Payne explained: "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."

Swanage Railway Santa Specials - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

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.

'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.

Swanage Railway Santa Specials - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

'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 Santa Specials Information Page here.

SANTA SPECIAL BOOKINGS NOW OPEN HERE!

(Santa Specials Information Page here)