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Add Enchanted Express 2021
On 23 and 24 December 1973 'Santa Claus' specials ran with three coaches between Bridgnorth and [[Hampton Loade]], hauled by [[WD 193 Shropshire|'Austerity' 0-6-0ST WD 193]]. The weekend marked the SVR's first [[Christmas services | Santa services]].<ref>SVR News 29,32</ref>
Although the SVR extended to Bewdley during 1974, there was no run round loop at Arley at the time. Accordingly the 1974 Santa services were again held between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade. 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 [[Santa's Grotto|grotto at Arley]]. In 1979 services reverted to the north end of the line due to the winter closure of [[Victoria Bridge]] for repairs. 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.
==Recent operation to 2018==
*Premium Santa Specials from both Kidderminster and [[Bridgnorth]].
These services operate 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 are 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 does did not feature Santa.
Carol Trains, Christmas Carvery, Dining Trains, Schools steam services and post-Christmas services continuecontinued.
The Bridgnorth services are were the first in many years, making use of the 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 onwards==The [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic]] lead to pre-booking Christmas events, using compartment stock for all services. The 2020 operation involved two sets for the Santa services and one for Steam in Lights. Santa trains were 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> The imposition of a second lockdown in November included dates for the early services, which where cancelled. Services restarted as planned on 3 December but were again suspended due to additional restrictions from 31 December. A similar experience was announced for 2021. Additionally, it will include the 'Enchanted Express' between Bridgnorth and Highley, based around the classic poem ''‘Twas the Night Before Christmas'', narrated by actress Dame Julie Walters<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug21 Branch Lines, August 2021]</ref>.
==Passenger numbers==
| 2018 ||style="text-align:right;" |''36,104'' || Kidderminster to Arley || <ref name=SVRH/> ||
|-
| 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.|-| 2020 ||style="text-align:right;" | || Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade (Steam in Lights) and Kidderminster to Arley (Santa's) || || Reduced capacity due to COVID-19 and last weekend in November cancelled due to lockdown restrictions. One day's festive services also lost due to weather.|-
|}
==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==
