Christmas 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 tickets sold annually.
Services are a volunteer lead project, headed by Dianne Malyon.
Contents
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 SVR 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 SVR'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 SVR 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 SVR 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 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.
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 SVR 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
References
- ↑ South Devon Railway website
- ↑ SVR News 29,32
- ↑ SVR News 67
- ↑ SVR News 98