Christmas Steam and Lights trains are set to light up Swanage Railway this festive season.
Running on the first three weekends of December, as well as on 21, 22 and 23 December, two evening trains a day will run from Swanage station through the Isle of Purbeck.
The steam locomotives and carriages will be bedecked in brightly coloured festive lights to illuminate the dark winter evenings.
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The steam train will run along the five and a half mile heritage line from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Norden before returning to Swanage. The return trip takes one-hour.
Lighting displays at stations will also be refreshed, and interiors will be festively decorated.
Robert Patterson – the volunteer chairman of the Swanage Railway Company which runs the trains for the Swanage Railway Trust – said: “We are very excited to be running the third year of our popular festive ‘Steam and Lights’ trains in the run-up to Christmas.
“The service is very special and out of this world – it’s colourful, evocative and dramatic.
“Last year’s ‘Steam and Lights’ train services were very popular and we are looking forward to this year’s festive and colourful trains tremendously because they have a lovely atmosphere all of their own.
“With the help of an experienced and reputable company specialising in synchronised lighting and music, we have been working very hard to design a special festive train service that will make wonderful and magical memories for children and adults in the run-up to Christmas.
“It takes a lot of detailed planning and commitment to organise and run our popular steam and lights trains. I would like to thank the many dedicated volunteers whose work enables those trains to happen – bringing festive cheer to both children and adults alike at this special time of year,” added Robert who is also a volunteer station porter on the Swanage Railway.
Seats must be booked in advance.
As well as the Steam and Lights trains, Swanage will also be running Christmas luncheon steam trains and the popular Christmas Belle, using its luxurious 1940s Pullman observation carriage.
To book on the Swanage Railway’s steam and lights trains – as well as the heritage line’s festive Christmas lunch and Christmas Belle Pullman observation carriage services – visit swanagerailway.co.uk/events/christmas.
