Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Christmas services

7,598 bytes added, 13:26, 29 August 2020
2020 services
The below is an incomplete page'''Christmas services''' are a huge part of the SVR's services, accounting for approximately 35,000 of the 200,000 [[SVR Passenger numbers|tickets sold annually]]. By tradition, the SVR's services close at the end of the services after New Year's Day and therefore includes the immediate post-Christmas trains.
Christmas services Services are a huge part of the SVR’s servicesvolunteer lead project under a Santa committee, accounting for approximately 35headed by Dianne Malyon. It is almost a twelve-month project: presents are ordered in March,000 of the 200and bands and choirs by May.<ref>SVR News 171,000 [[SVR Passenger numbers|tickets sold annually]].203</ref>
Services are ==Early years==The first visit by Santa was in 1968. Tony Bending recalls it was a volunteer lead projectstaged affair organised by Dillons store in Bridgnorth High Street who wanted a novel way for Santa to arrive. [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|46443]] drew a single coach out to [[Cleobury Road Bridge]] before the event and later on, at the appropriate time, rolled it back in. Having arrived at [[Bridgnorth]] by train Santa then travelled by horse and cart, before spending the day seeing children in the High Street shop.<ref>[https://www.svr.co.uk/svr50years.aspx '50 Years of Steam at the Severn Valley Railway', SVR website] (Retrieved 22 May 2020)</ref> The exhibition '50 Years of Steam at the Severn Valley Railway' records the event on 24 November 1968, [[David Williams]] records 46443 operating on 21 December 1968.<ref>Tony Bending, headed David Williams by email</ref> The South Devon Railway relates that [[Kitson & Co 5474 'Carnarvon']] carried Santa in 1969.<ref>[http://www.southdevonrailwayassociation.org/Caernarfon.html South Devon Railway website]</ref> This was a similar event held on 20 December 1969; a photograph by Dianne MalyonC.R. Jenkins of Carnarvon shunting at Bridgnorth on that morning appears in David Williams' book ''Severn Valley Railway Album''.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Williams (1974)]] p. 23.</ref>  There is no record of either event in SVR News or ''Severn Valley Railway Memories''.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Magner (1997)]].</ref> As the public did not use the Railway to meet Santa at his grotto at one of the SVR stations, neither event can be considered as a 'Santa service'. ==SVR Santa services==
==Early years==The South Devon Railway relates that On 23 and 24 December 1973 'Santa Claus' specials ran with three coaches between Bridgnorth and [[Hampton Loade]], hauled by [[Kitson & Co 5474 WD 193 Shropshire|'CarnarvonAusterity'0-6-0ST WD 193]] carried Santa in 1969. <ref>[http://www.southdevonrailwayassociation.org/Caernarfon.html South Devon Railway website]</ref> There is no record of The weekend marked the event in either SVR News or Chris Magner's book. Since the first [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#1970Christmas services |Light Railway OrderSanta services]] was only granted in 1970.<ref>SVR News 29, it could presumably only have been a static event at [[Bridgnorth]], and so it would not have been classed as a 'Santa service'. 32</ref>
In 1973 two days of 'Although the SVR extended to Bewdley during 1974, there was no run round loop at Arley at the time. Accordingly the 1974 Santa Claus' specials ran services were again held between Bridgnorth and [[Hampton Loade]], hauled by . The loop at Arley was commissioned in May 1975 and from that year on it became the norm for Santa services to run between the southern terminus (Bewdley and later Kidderminster) and a [[WD 193 ShropshireSanta's Grotto|'Austerity' 0-6-0ST WD 193grotto at Arley]]. The weekend marked In 1979 services reverted to the north end of the line due to the SVR's first winter closure of [[Christmas services | Santa servicesVictoria Bridge]]for repairs.<ref>SVR News 29,32</ref>
On 20 December 1982 Santa arrived at Bewdley by helicopter, before travelling to [[Santa's Grotto|his grotto at Arley]] by train.<ref>SVR News 67</ref>
On 8 December 1990 the worst snowstorm for a decade affected the weekend's Santa services; only a small proportion of the 9,000 ticket holders were able to attend.<ref>SVR News 98</ref>
On 10 December 2017 all Santa Special services were cancelled in light of heavy snow overnight and complete loss of power at Arley Station.
==Hired in locomotivesRecent operation to 2018==The SVR normally operates services using mainstay operation was the Santa Special operation. This operated half hourly all day, typically weekends from late November/early December until Christmas Eve. This necessitated a five-train operation, all steam hauled, with a sixth locomotive providing train pre-heating and acting as standby. The trains operated between [[Kidderminster]] and [[Santa's Grotto]] at [[Steam Locomotives | working fleetArley]] drawn from its own steam locomotives. On several occasions it has been necessary to , with trains picking up and setting down at [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR|hire in locomotives from other railwaysBewdley]] to alleviate pressure on the fleet over return leg only. In addition the busy Christmas period[[Class 108 DMU]] ran staff trains, and a late afternoon service for late-returning passengers.
==Recent operation to 2018==The mainstay operation is Setting up took place at the Santa Special operation. This operates half hourly all day, typically weekends from late November/early December until Christmas Day. This necessitates a five-train operation, all steam hauledbeginning of October, with a sixth locomotive providing train pre-heating and acting as standbyclearing away taking place before year end. The trains operate between [[Kidderminster]] and [[SantaA typical day's Grotto]] at [[Arley]]operation needed around 100 volunteers, with trains picking up excluding crew and setting down at [[Bewdley]] on the return leg onlysignalmen. In addition There were 96 Santa turns for the [[Class 108 DMU]] runs staff trains, and a late afternoon service for late-returning passengersSanta Specials.
On 23 November 2018 the SVR made a 'Black Friday' discount offer of unsold Santa Special tickets.
A secondary operation are was ‘Santa Heralds’, with Santa travelling on the train to distribute presents. These are typically steam-operated midweek services.
Carol Trains are an evening DMU service, running from Kidderminster to [[The Engine House]]. Christmas Carvery DMU services also run to The Engine House where a meal is provided. Dining Trains also operate. Schools steam services run in midweek.
 
Post-Christmas services normally begin on Boxing Day and run daily until at least New Years Day.
Stations and platforms at Kidderminster, Bewdley and Arley are decorated. At both Kidderminster and Arley live seasonal music is provided by local groups. Carriages are not usually decorated, locomotives may carry headboards, wreaths or other decoration.
It is was also an important part of activities for other groups. [[SVR Apprentices]] dress in animal character costumes to entertain the waiting youngsters at [[Arley]]. Several [[List of preservation groups|preservation groups]] roast and sell chestnuts.
==2019 operations==
In June 2019 the SVR announced there will be a refresh of Santa Specials, no longer featuring a Grotto but instead including the addition of departures :  *Santa Specials from Kidderminster *Premium Santa Specials from both Kidderminster and [[Bridgnorth]] . These services operated to Highley on a decorated steam train with Santa meeting every family on the train handing out gifts and posing for photographs. Operationally both were top and tailed, the Bridgnorth-originating services with steam and the Kidderminster services steam and diesel.  A 'Steam in Lights' evening illuminated steam service operates from Bridgnorth. This did not feature Santa. Carol Trains, Christmas Carvery, Dining Trains, Schools steam services and post-Christmas services continued.  The Bridgnorth services were the first time in many years and operations from Bridgnorth during the evenings. These will make , making use of the new facilities afforded by the [[Bridgnorth#Bridgnorth_Development_Project|Bridgnorth development project]].  The objective was to provide customers with a new experience and reduce the workload for volunteers. The result was a planned reduction inSanta Services numbers of 4,178, but with revenue increased by £121,324<ref name=SVR2019>SVR(H) annual report and financial statements for the period ended 5 January 2020</ref>. ==2020 and [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic]]==The pandemic meant pre-booking Christmas events, using compartment stock for all services. Two sets were used for the Santa services and one for Steam in Lights. Santa trains were planned as steam-hauled departures from Kidderminster to Arley for a Santa Pantomime and presents distributed on the train to minimise face-to-face contact. For Steam in Lights evening return trips were planned from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade, with a steam loco on the north end and diesel on the south end<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blsep20 Branch Lines newsletter, September 2020] (Retrieved 29 August 2020)</ref>.
==Passenger numbers==
Reported total passenger numbers for Christmas services are given below. In some cases these are approximations. Where totals only include Santa trains and exclude post-Christmas services, numbers are in ''italics''.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !! Number No of passengers!! Location !! Reference !! Notes
|-
| 1973 || style="text-align:right;" | || Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade. || || 1 weekend of Santa trains
|-
| 1974 || style="text-align:right;" | || Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade. || ||
|-
| 1975 || style="text-align:right;" | || Bewdley to Arley |||| 2 weekends of Santa trains.
|-
| 1976 || style="text-align:right;" | || Bewdley to Arley |||| 3 weekends of Santa trains.
|-
| 1977 || style="text-align:right;" | || Bewdley to Arley |||| 4 weekends of Santa trains.
|-
| 1978 || style="text-align:right;" | ''10,882'' || Bewdley to Arley || SVR News 50 ||Total for Santa trains only, a 46% increase on 1977.
|-
| 1979 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade || || Repairs to [[Victoria Bridge]].
|-
| 1980 ||style="text-align:right;" | 19,515 || Bewdley to Arley ||SVR News 59/63 || Santa trains 17,872
|-
| 1981 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''16,378'' || Bewdley to Arley ||SVR News 63 || All Santa services ran but numbers were affected by snow.
|-
| 1982 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''22,005'' || Bewdley to Arley || SVR News 67 || Services saw more than 20,000 passengers for the first time
|-
| 1983 ||style="text-align:right;" | 33,634 || Bewdley to Arley || SVR News 71 || Santa trains 31,450, Mince pie specials 2,184 |-|1984 | Services saw more than 30|style="text-align:right;" | 34,628 || Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 75 || Santa trains 33,326,000 passengers for the first timeMince pie specials 1,302
|-
| 1984 1985 ||style="text-align:right;" |3430,628 975 || Kidderminster to Arley|| SVR News 79 || The first Santa services from Kidderminstertrains 28,978, Mince pie specials 1,997
|-
| 1985 1986 ||style="text-align:right;" | 37,369 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 83 || Santa trains 34,753, Mince pie specials 2,616.
|-
| 1986 1987 ||style="text-align:right;" | 31,889 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 87 || Santa trains 29,634, Mince pie specials 2,255.
|-
| 1987 1988 ||style="text-align:right;" | 41,496 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 91 || Santa trains 38,039, Mince pie specials 3,457.
|-
| 1988 1989 ||style="text-align:right;" | 47,259 || Kidderminster to Arley || Services saw more than 30SVR News 95 || Santa trains 42,602, Mince pie specials 4,000 passengers657.
|-
| 1989 1990 ||style="text-align:right;" |4240,692 935 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 98 || Adverse weather in early December.
|-
| 1990 1991 || style="text-align:right;" |42,602 535 || Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 102 ||
|-
| 1991 1992 ||style="text-align:right;" | 48,004 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 106/109|| Santa trains 42,660, Mince pie specials 5,344.<ref>Originally reported as 37,316 + 4,021. 1993 comparatives used.</ref>
|-
| 1992 1993 ||style="text-align:right;" | 48,485 || Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 109 ||Santa trains 41,501, Mince pie specials 6,984.
|-
| 1993 1994 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley || ||Not reported in SVR News.
|-
| 1994 1995 || style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 117||Predicted Santa trains 32,000; final number not reported.
|-
| 1995 1996 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley || ||Not reported in SVR News.
|-
| 1996 1997 ||style="text-align:right;" | >33,000 || Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 125 ||
|-
| 1997 1998 ||style="text-align:right;" | >39,258 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 129 || December 38,258, plus >1k on New Years Day
|-
| 1998 1999 ||style="text-align:right;" | 37,876|| Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 132 ||
|-
| 1999 2000 || style="text-align:right;" | >33,000|| Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 135 ||33,000 weekend Santas, other midweek services not reported.
|-
| 2000 2001 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 139 ||Santa trains not reported; 5,100 after Christmas.
|-
| 2001 2002 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley || ||Not reported in SVR News.
|-
| 2002 2003 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley || ||Not reported in SVR News.
|-
| 2003 2004 ||style="text-align:right;" | ~43,500 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 149 ||Santas 35.5k, Diners 1k, Other 7k (approx)
|-
| 2004 2005 ||style="text-align:right;" | ~43,200 || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 152 ||Santas and other 42k, Diners 1.2k (approx)
|-
| 2005 2006 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 156 ||Not reported (Santas were 5k more than budget)
|-
| 2006 2007 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Bewdley|| ||[[2007 Storm Damage]]. Numbers not reported.
|-
| 2007 2008 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''~29,000'' || Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 164 ||
|-
| 2008 2009 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley || ||Not reported in SVR News.
|-
| 2009 2010 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Kidderminster to Arley ||SVR News 172 ||26,529 advance tickets sold, final number not reported
|-
| 2010 2011 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''30,369'' || Kidderminster to Arley ||Pete Cherry ||Not reported in SVR News. Number of advance tickets sold for Santa Special, Herald and Sleigh services. Final number not reported
|-
| 2011 2012 ||style="text-align:right;" | 47,038 || Kidderminster to Arley || SVR News 181 ||
|-
| 2012 2013 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''33,205'' || Kidderminster to Arley ||Pete Cherry ||Not reported in SVR News. Number of advance tickets sold for Santa Special, Herald and Sleigh services. Final number not reported
|-
| 2013 2014 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''32,213'' || Kidderminster to Arley || Pete Cherry ||Not reported in SVR News. Number of advance tickets sold for Santa Special, Herald and Sleigh services. Final number not reported
|-
| 2014 2015 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''33,319''|| Kidderminster to Arley ||<ref name=SVRH>SVR(H) AGM presentation</ref> ||
|-
| 2015 2016 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''33,364''|| Kidderminster to Arley ||<ref name=SVRH/> ||
|-
| 2016 2017 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''31,962'' || Kidderminster to Arley ||<ref name=SVRH/> || One day lost due to weather.
|-
| 2017 2018 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''36,104'' || Kidderminster to Arley || <ref name=SVRH/> ||
|-
| 2018 2019 ||style="text-align:right;" | ''~32,000'' || Bridgnorth and Kidderminster to Highley ||<ref name=SVR2019/> || |A planned reduction in Santa Services numbers of 4,178.|
|}
 ==Hired in locomotives==The SVR normally operates services using a [[Steam Locomotives | working fleet]] drawn from its own steam locomotives. On several occasions it has been necessary to [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR|hire in locomotives from other railways]] to alleviate pressure on the fleet over the busy Christmas period. 
==See also==
[[Santa's Grotto]]
Patrick Hearn
Trustworthy, administrator
6,655
edits
Retrieved from ‘https://www.svrwiki.com/Special:MobileDiff/19648...23030’

Navigation menu