The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) is getting into the Christmas spirit with the launch of its annual ‘Santa Express’ trains this weekend.

Public services start this weekend, Saturday, 26th and Sunday, 27th November, but this year’s first Santa Express ran last Sunday, 20th November, in aid of local charities the James Hopkins Trust, which provide nursing respite care to life-limited and life-threatened young children in Gloucestershire, and Heart Heroes, which works with children and their families who are living with heart conditions.

The railway’s station at Winchcombe was transformed into the North Pole. Father Christmas met all the children after their journey to Winchcombe and gave them a gift. To help disabled people, the railway has adapted some of its 60-year-old coaches so that they are wheelchair accessible.

Charity trains have been run by the railway’s volunteers for some years. They were the brainchild of Chris Blake, a member of the railway’s steam locomotive department, who said: “While we bring such a lot of delight to children and families throughout December, many miss out on the opportunity to enjoy something like this because of illness or a disability. The day brought such joy to the children and their families. It makes a real difference not just to their lives but ours too.”

Ria Heap from James Hopkins Trust said: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway volunteers for making magic memories for the James Hopkins Trust families on Sunday at our GWSR Santa Steam Train Experience. It was perfect in every way! Everyone had the most wonderful time and many magical memories were made.
Christmas Carols by Steam!

Although the special Santa Express trains are fully sold out, a special train will leave Toddington at 7pm on Saturday, 10th December for a concert of Christmas Carols at Winchcombe station by the Cheltenham Silver Training Band in support of the James Hopkins Trust.

The Carol Service will include mulled wine and mince pies. After the concert the train will continue to Cheltenham Racecourse before returning to Toddington, and during the journey drinks and refreshments will be available from the train’s bar.

Tickets for the Christmas Carols special are available from the James Hopkins Trust by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 01452 612216.

Catherine Johnson, the railway’s marketing manager said: “This will truly be a magical occasion.  Winchcombe station has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland and is the perfect setting to enjoy Christmas Carols and support the vital respite work done by the James Hopkins Trust for children with complex and life-threatening medical needs.”

Ria Heap commented “Trains and Christmas are the perfect partnership. Our Carol Steam Train is the perfect way to enter into the Christmas spirit. It’s going to be a fabulous evening full of festivities.  We are very grateful for having this fundraising opportunity to raise money for our children’s hospice”.