ALMOST 8,000 PEOPLE RIDE ON THE CHRISTMAS 'SANTA SPECIAL' STEAM TRAINS DURING DECEMBER 2011 - WITH PASSENGERS BEING HIGHLY SATISFIED

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 29th December 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Swanage Railway volunteers cheer the success of the Swanage Railway's Santa Specials in December 2011. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright

More people than the populations of Wareham town and Corfe Castle village have travelled on the Swanage Railway's 'Santa Special' steam trains this year - with passengers being highly satisfied with the festive services and the friendliness of their staff.

A total of 7,904 passengers boarded the seasonal trains to meet Father Christmas and all but one of the seven 'Wessex Belle' Christmas lunch steam trains - which also ran during December - were sold out.

Swanage Railway Santa Specials December 2011. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright

According to surveys carried out on all 36 of the 'Santa Special' steam trains, passengers gave a satisfaction rating of 94 per cent for the festive service and a 97 per cent rating for the friendliness of the volunteers who make the special trains happen.

Previous passenger satisfaction ratings for the 'Santa Special's have been 93 per cent for 2010 and 88 per cent for 2009.

Swanage Railway Santa Specials December 2011. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright

By the end of Christmas Eve, the 36 atmospheric fund-raising steam trains ran more than 430 miles which is the equivalent distance from Purbeck to Bordeaux in southern France.

Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are running steam trains daily until Monday, 2 January, 2012, (inclusive) and since Boxing Day, 2011, the trains have included a Pullman observation car offering stunning views of the Purbeck countryside and the iconic ruins of Corfe Castle during the journey.

Swanage Railway Santa Specials December 2011. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "We're very proud of the experience we offer on the Santa Specials and it's no wonder that so many of our passengers come back year after year.

"We sold out early again this year and attracted passengers not just from Dorset and Hampshire but from across south-east and south-west England.

"Our Santa Special staff do an excellent job in giving everyone a great time and our passengers recognise this as our satisfaction surveys show.

Fireman Andy Dunster (left) with driver Roger Stewart-Hindley (right) on board the Swanage Railway Santa Specials December 2011. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright

"It's also very hard work for Father Christmas, especially with his global sleigh trip to follow immediately after the Santa Specials," explained Mr Payne.

The year 2011 has also been a very good year for the Swanage Railway's 'Wessex Belle' luxury dining train and virtually all the Christmas lunch trains sold out.

Martin Payne explained: "Enjoying your Christmas lunch while travelling through the beautiful Purbeck countryside is very enjoyable. We are planning to run more lunch trains in 2012 as they have been so popular this year."

Swanage Railway Santa Specials December 2011. 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 & Ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston and Swanage - which has been rebuilt from nothing since 1976.

Starting from Swanage station, the 'Santa Special' steam trains offered an evocative hour-long journey through the beautiful Purbeck countryside with Father Christmas.

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

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

Swanage Railway service details are available from the Swanage Railway on 01929 425800 - or by following the links in the index on the left of this page.

Please note that the Swanage Railway is running BLUE Timetable steam services until 2nd January 2012. Then, after the last services on 2nd January 2012, the section of the Swanage Railway between Corfe Castle and Swanage will be closed for the winter maintenance period.

This period with no trains in operation on that section of the line will allow our team of dedicated volunteers the opportunity to carry out major engineering work including vital drainage work in the Swanage station area.

The Swanage Railway is set to reopen on Saturday 3rd March 2012. However, the Swanage Railway is running a SPECIAL DIESEL SERVICE FOR WEEKENDS IN JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2012 with a Norden to Corfe Castle shuttle on special timetable. Please see below for a downloadable poster and timetable, and please help publicise this service to your friends and contacts.

Downloadable poster for the Winter Shuttle Service which will operate on a special timetable during weekends in January and February 2012, starting 7th January.

Downloadable special timetable for the Winter Shuttle Service which will operate during weekends in January and February 2012, starting 7th January.