The Swanage Railway is going to operate two extra Steam and Lights trains on Thursday 31st December 2020 due to unprecedented demand.
The train will depart at 5:15 pm and 7:15 pm for a one hour round trip to Corfe Castle and Norden.
Festive picnic boxes are available to book to make the trip even more memorable.
The Swanage Railway's volunteer Commercial Director Steve Williams said: “The demand from the public for tickets for our new colourful, evocative and dramatic ‘Steam and Lights' train service continues to be unprecedented which is very gratifying.”
“The special trains are very important to the Swanage Railway because the profits from their operation go towards helping the heritage railway survive the potentially devastating economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“We are delighted to be able to run an extra day of two ‘Steam and Lights' trains because the feedback from passengers has been very encouraging and a lovely thank you to our volunteers who put in such a lot of hard work into making the magic happen.”
“One passenger loved their trip so much that he emailed me to say well done, adding that it had been ‘a magical experience' and that ‘the production was absolutely amazing'.”
“He went on to say that ‘the warm welcome everyone received from your staff made it a night to remember' which makes all the hours of preparation, and all the hard work on the evening, worthwhile.
“Because of the need to keep people safe, the number of people on a ‘Steam and Lights' train booking cannot exceed six from the same household, or care bubble, and we cannot take bookings from people who live in a Tier Three area because of Government regulations.
“The Swanage Railway uses a long-life anti-bacterial spray on its trains and stations, to keep passengers and staff safe, while the trains are cleaned, and the tables wiped, after every round trip.”
“Detailed Covid-19 passenger information is available from the Swanage Railway website at www.swanagerailway.co.uk under the Visit category on the Home Page,” added Mr Williams who is a volunteer ticket office clerk on the Swanage Railway.
Before the decision was made to operate extra trains, the Swanage Railway was already operating Steam and Lights trains on 17 days in December.
Steve Williams explained: “Before passengers board the ‘Steam and Lights' train at Swanage station for their magical journey, there is also a dramatic switch-on of the train lights at the platform by a lucky child who is chosen to press the switch.”
“Swanage station is only open to ‘Steam and Lights' passengers while Herston Halt, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden stations are closed to the public,” he added.
Tickets for the ‘Steam and Lights' are £20 each for adults, £15 for children aged three to 15 and free for children aged under three if they sit on an adult lap and do not occupy a seat.
Visit the Swanage Railway website to book a ticket.
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I showed my long suffering wife the video, for once she was watched the whole film. Well done to all involved in this. It looks so magical, I wish I was close enough to see this spectacular, just what is needed in these strange times.
Well I’ll Be… Looks as Though that Special Event the Swanage Railway must be so Proud to Hold… is so Surprisingly Popular,
High Demand appears to Want More, This is still A Really Truly Colourful & Well Brightly-Lit Event that’s proving Quite Popular than it looks to Be.