Santa Special Steam Trains

Best Santa Special steam trains run at the Watercress Line, Hampshire, England: Father Christmas, Criscringle, Father Frost, Joulupukki, Kris Kringle, Père Noël

Santa Specials run weekends: 6 & 7; 13 & 14; 20 & 21; & 24th December 2008

Advance booking is normally ESSENTIAL because most of these trains get fully booked,
but if you do decide to try for seats at short notice, please ring us and we'll check availability:

01962 733810

EVENTS CALENDAR 2008

Enjoy the magic of a steam train ride with Father Christmas on the Watercress Line

Choose between departures from Alton, where the train runs to Ropley and returns to Alton; or Alresford where the train runs to Medstead & Four Marks and back to Alresford.

In either case the round trip takes just over an hour to complete.

Photo (2005) © Henry O'Dwyer

During the journey, Santa and his helpers will visit everyone at their seat and each child and baby will receive a present. No queueing out in the cold!

All the grown-ups receive wine and a mince pie (soft drink option is available.)

All Santa Special trains are steam hauled.

Photo © Henry O'Dwyer

Graphic (2005) by Henry O'Dwyer

Matt Allen caught these shots of Santa Specials on 23rd December 2007:


	Photos (23rd December 2007): Matt Allen

... and David Warwick was out on the same day. He caught Wadebridge reflecting the setting sun ...
and ...


	Photos (23rd December 2007): David Warwick

From: Cathryn Bennett
Sent: 26 December 2007 13:25
Subject: Santa Special! VERY Impressed!
Just wanted to write a few lines re our trip to MHR on the 23rd...
Travelling through the fog was very worthwhile. I found a space right by the station and the girls were fascinated by the Organ in the grounds. Dropped into Information first, very helpful, cheerful gentleman doing sterling service in there. Next stop was The West Country Buffet for a bite to eat; first rate service - we had barely settled down to our table when our meals arrived, wonderfully friendly service from the folks on duty, the meals were very tasty indeed and great value for money I felt.
We watched the Std.5 come in and run round the train (we were on the 3:35.) Lots of excited kids and parents (in some cases I think the Dads were more excited than the kids!) boarded and off they went; we had a look round the shop and explored the Station a bit morel. Apparently some folk had been stuck in traffic on the M3 following an accident and preparations were being made to accommodate them on the last trip of the day, which I thought most commendable!
We got on our train which left a little late whilst we gave the delayed folk chance to arrive. Finally we were off; refreshments were served by yet more jolly volunteers; then the man himself arrived and handed out the presents which the girls were delighted with! A wonderful time was had by all of us; this was indeed a wonderful start to our Christmas. I would like to commend MHR on their wonderful service, and also to thank all the volunteers who gave their time so freely and helped make this a day out to remember for my daughters; they are still talking about it now (Boxing Day.) We will certainly be back next year, you simply cannot beat a family day out at MHR. We are planning our next trip already: the incredible "Day out with Thomas" in March!
Anyway have a Very Happy & Prosperous New Year!
Cathryn Bennett
(Staffordshire)

Santa's junior helpers (21st December 2007)

Movies:

Santa Special departing Ropley today on frosty rails (6.8MB, 20th December 2007): Tony Wood

Wadebridge hauls a Santa Special (1MB, 20th December 2007): Roger Stronell

Std 5 #73096 with a Santa Special (1.3MB, 20th December 2007): Roger Stronell

Santa Specials, December 2007: Photos (16th December 2007): David Warwick

	Santa Specials, December 2007:
Photos (2nd December 2007): Matt Allen

Photo (December 2006): Henry O'Dwyer	Santa Specials, December 2006: Here also are four movies by Roger Stronell of our Santa Special trains: One (1.4MB) Two (1.4MB) hauled by #73096 on 16th December 2006 and, on 17th December 2006: #92212 (1.3MB) storming up the gradient from Alton to Medstead & Four Marks and: #73096 (1.8MB) climbing at dusk from Ropley to Medstead & Four Marks
From: Santa Sent: 23 December 2006 20:07 Subject: Message Hello Tony Please tell all the lovely children, their Mummys and Daddys, Grandmas and Grandads, etc that I have seen on your Santa Specials that, as they were all so good, I will try to get them all they want for Christmas but can't promise EVERYTHING. Don't forget children, if you are still awake Rudolph knows, and will not stop to let me deliver your presents. Be good - and have a Very Happy Christmas. Love from Santa (in Lapland)
From: DOUGLAS ADAMS Sent: 21 December 2006 19:40 Subject: THANK YOU Heartfelt thanks to everyone at The Watercress Line who played any part in providing and running this year's Santa Specials. Together with son, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters, we were on today's (21/12) 3pm train and were very impressed with the whole event, which we all enjoyed thoroughly. All the more so when we realise all of this is done by skilled and dedicated volunteers. The Park and Ride was an extremely helpful extra touch. Hats off to all concerned. Happy Christmas Doug and Sue Adams (Windsor)	Photo (9th December 2006): Matt Allen
	On behalf of my grandson and his other grandmother I would be grateful if you could pass on our thanks to all those involved in the 12.00 train from Alton on Thursday 21 December including the crew on the free park and ride bus (especially the gentleman who accepted not one cuddle but two!!) All three of us had the most fantastic time. The trip was so well organised, such great value and the gift for Elliott was absolutely wonderful. In the shop I even met up with Jenny Lewis whose son and the mother of my grandson went to school together and Jenny was involved with guiding in Epsom & Ewell. Father Christmas and his helpers and the singers - great. Thank you again to one and all who have given their time most generously to make such days special for young people. I took my two children on such a special many years ago but it is so well done now. Cannot thank the Watercress Line enough. Will spread the word as well. Thanks again Mrs Sheila Leech 23 December 2006

	Photos (2nd December 2006): Matt Allen

10th December 2005: Visiting the Santa Special loco footplate fascinates youngsters and parents Two photos (10th December 2005): David Charlesworth
Photo (19th December 2004): Matt Allen
Stationmaster Keith Brown gives the last through train a wave Photo (M4M, 24th December 2004): Steve Walters
Santa Special has the road Photo (Ropley, 12th December 2004): Ian Banham
Aboard a Santa Special Photo (11th December 2004): Brian Simmons
	Ready for the 3 o'clock Santa Special departure Photo (Alton, 11th December 2004): David Charlesworth

From: Lee and Nessa
Sent: 22 December 2005 22:19
Subject: The wonderful Santa Special
Dear Sir
Yesterday, Wednesday 21^st December, my son aged 5 and I were treated to a ride on your Santa Special.
I am writing to thank you for a wonderful experience. The effort put in by the Watercress Line volunteers made the experience truly special. I do believe it was the best ‘Santa experience’ my son has visited and I will be recommending it to all my friends.
Thank you for your work in making the events special and keeping those most majestic steam engines running.

Vanessa Stanley (Mrs)
Silverstone
Northants

7th December 2003: Robin Hughes was working in our Alresford Information Office yesterday, and saw the arrival of the first Santa Special train of the season
Two photos (Alresford, 6th December 2003): Robin Hughes

Families joining the Santa Special trains at Alton at weekends can avoid car parking fees if they follow the yellow signs

  The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire, England, SO24 9JG
Tel No: 01962 733810 Fax No: 01962 735448
e-mail:    reservations@watercressline.co.uk

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How to get to the Watercress Line