Christmas services

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The below is an incomplete page.

Christmas services are a huge part of the SVRSevern Valley Railway’s services, accounting for approximately 35,000 of the 200,000 tickets sold annually.

Services are a volunteer lead project, headed by Dianne Malyon.

Early years

The South Devon Railway relates that Kitson & Co 5474 'Carnarvon' carried Santa in 1969. [1] There is no record of the event in either SVRSevern Valley Railway News or Chris Magner's book. Since the Light Railway Order was only granted in 1970, it could presumably only have been a static event at Bridgnorth, and so it would not have been classed as a 'Santa service'.

In 1973 two days of 'Santa Claus' specials ran between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, hauled by 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST WD 193. The weekend marked the SVRSevern Valley Railway's first Santa services.[2]

On 20 December 1982 Santa arrived at Bewdley by helicopter, before travelling to his grotto at Arley by train.[3]

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.[4]

The 2007 Storm Damage resulted in services being restricted to Kidderminster to Bewdley, where Santa was ensconced.

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 locomotives

The SVRSevern Valley Railway normally operates services using a working fleet drawn from its own steam locomotives. On several occasions it has been necessary to hire in locomotives from other railways to alleviate pressure on the fleet over the busy Christmas period.

Recent operation to 2018

The mainstay operation is 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 hauled, with a sixth locomotive providing train pre-heating and acting as standby. The trains operate between Kidderminster and Santa's Grotto at Arley, with trains picking up and setting down at Bewdley on the return leg only. In addition the Class 108 DMU runs staff trains, and a late afternoon service for late-returning passengers.

On 23 November 2018 the SVRSevern Valley Railway made a 'Black Friday' discount offer of unsold Santa Special tickets.

A secondary operation are ‘Santa Heralds’, with Santa travelling on the train to distribute presents. These are typically steam-operated midweek services.

Carol Trains are an evening DMUDiesel Multiple Unit service, running from Kidderminster to The Engine House. Christmas Carvery DMUDiesel Multiple Unit services also run to The Engine House where a meal is provided. Dining Trains also operate. Schools steam services run in midweek.

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 also an important part of activities for other groups. SVR Apprentices dress in animal character costumes to entertain the waiting youngsters at Arley. Several preservation groups roast and sell chestnuts.

2019 operations

In June 2019 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced there will be a refresh of Santa Specials, including the addition of departures from Bridgnorth for the first time in many years and operations from Bridgnorth during the evenings. These will make use of the new facilities afforded by the Bridgnorth development project.

Passenger numbers

Year Number of passengers Reference Notes
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982 Services saw more than 20,000 passengers for the first time
1983 Services saw more than 30,000 passengers for the first time
1984 34,628 The first Santa services from Kidderminster
1985
1986
1987
1988 Services saw more than 30,000 passengers
1989 42,692
1990 42,602
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018

See also

Santa's Grotto

References

  1. South Devon Railway website
  2. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 29,32
  3. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 67
  4. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 98

Links