Interesting Santas

I put up a thread on the WNXX forum the other day asking about any interesting diesel workings on Santa Specials this year and I've been really impressed with what's on offer.

I think my December plans are sorted, but in case it might be useful for anyone else not fully aware of what's around (I know as an enthusiast in the past I haven't always paid too much attention to what's on Santas compared to galas etc), I thought I'd start a Santa thread here too to find out more about unusual steam workings on offer too.

So for anyone fancying winter photography (don't want to kick off a headboard argument) or enthusiast families wanting something particularly interesting for their Santa trip, which railways have particularly intensive or unusual services on their Santas? Or visiting locos etc?

 

The SVR is running its usual Santa schedule of a half-hourly service Kidderminster-Arley and return. If the weather's bright it's well worth a visit. The Bluebell's Victorian train Horsted Keynes-Kingscote is also good value for the photographer.

Regards

 

The WSR run Santa Specials from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield on 5, 12, 19, 22, 24 December and also from Minehead to Blue Anchor on 12, 19, 24 December.

Then there are the Santa Expresses from Bishops Lydeard to Williton and back on 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24 December.

Whilst not strictly "Santa", the Carol Trains stop for carol singing at all stations - one train between Minehead and Williton and another train from Bishops Lydeard to Williton on the evenings of 13, 14, 15 December. Trains meet at Williton and engines are swopped over.

And finally there are the Dunster by Candlelight trains running on the evenings of 3, 4 December from Bishops Lydeard non-stop to Dunster and Minehead and back. These trains leave Bishops Lydeard at 4.30pm and 5.30pm (with an extra at 3.45pm on the 4 Dec). Lots of slick working of steam trains after dark!

Quite a bit to interest the photographer who wants to do something other than 3/4 views of locos/trains

Steve

 

Tanfield's Santas are worth a trip - frequent shuttle service between East Tanfield and Andrews House, with the heaviest trains of the year - good on the bank! - and usually 2 locos in action.

 

West Somerset Wizard, are tickets still available for the Dunster By Candelight trains, on either evening?

 

Last I heard was "There are a small number of seats available for the 4.30 Dunster by Candlelight train from Bishops Lydeard on Friday 3 December with all other Dunster by Candlelight trains sold out."

Steve

 

East Lancashire Railway are advertising 44871 and D1501 on the Santa train. The 122 and it's newly painted trailer car and the 101 on the shuttles!

 

Painted into blue to match?

 

Yep, been painted into BR blue to match 'Bubble'

 

Gwili will now almost certainly have a visiting loco for the second weekend of Santas (11th/12th Dec) onwards, more details to follow......

 

If anyone is still thinking about travelling on Swanage Railway Santa Specials I suspect you'd better act fast. I've heard more than 95% of all seats had been sold already and no bays of four seats were left. Further details: http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/n-santa.htm
Looking elsewhere on the Swanage website I notice some stunning steam effects from last weekend. http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news720.htm Very cold, but hardly any wind, so ideal for fantastic steam effects.