Swanage Railway volunteers have been industrious in the refreshing of lineside and station lighting displays ready for the popular Christmas Steam and Light trains which will run for ten days this year.

The festive period will also see the railway’s Christmas Luncheon steam trains operating and its well-loved Christmas Belle which will be hauling its opulent 1940s Pullman Observation Carriage which provides incredible views via large glass windows on three sides.

The Christmas Steam and Lights trains are operating over ten selected days from the 3rd of December through to the 23rd of December on the following dates:

• Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of December
• Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th of December
• Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th of December
• Wednesday the 21st of December
• Thursday the 22nd of December
• Friday the 23rd of December

The festive ‘Steam and Lights’ trains will see both the steam locomotive and carriages festooned with beautifully coloured lights creating a stunning glow as it runs through the Isle of Purbeck. The events will see two evening trains operating on each day and will depart from Swanage at 5.15pm and 7.15pm.

Steam and Lights trains must be pre-booked and start and end at Swanage station – please note that these trains do not feature Father Christmas.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the ‘Steam and Lights’ trains due to the flashing lights and music.

Refreshed lighting displays will also be at stations and also at other locations on the five-and-a-half mile line, visible to all onboard to train as she makes her way from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Norden during the one-hour return journey.

Onboard, carriages will be cosy and warm thanks to steam-heating and will also be glittering with festive decorations alongside synchronised music coordinating with the lineside lighting displays.

Ahead of boarding the ‘Steam and Lights’ train at Swanage station, passengers can enjoy a dramatic switch on of the train lights on the platform.

‘Steam and Lights’ train passengers will only be allowed at Swanage station and Herston Halt, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden station will be closed to members of the public.

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.

During the ‘Steam and Lights’ trains, the Swanage station shop will be open alongside a kiosk at the station which will be serving hot drinks and snacks (subject to volunteer availability).

New volunteers are always welcome at the Swanage Railway and anyone who is interested can find out more by contacting the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention office at 01929 408466 or by emailing: [email protected].

To book for the ‘Steam and Lights’ trains or one of the heritage railway’s festive Christmas lunch and Christmas Belle Pullman observation carriage services please visit: swanagerailway.co.uk/events/christmas