Excitement is mounting at the Yorkshire Wolds Railway as, for the first time ever, Father Christmas will be paying a visit to Fimber Halt.

Father Christmas will be taking time out from his busy schedule to visit Fimber Halt on Saturdays 2 and 9 December between 10 am and 3 pm each day.

The Yorkshire Wolds Railway is run entirely by volunteers, and they are now busy preparing Santa’s grotto just off platform 1 at Fimber Halt.

With volunteers being the lifeblood of the railway, anyone interested in becoming a member or volunteering are always welcome. Also, if anyone would like to make a donation or find out more about the railway can do so on its website here

Visitors to the railway should note that all trains run subject to availability, and the platform is currently accessed by a set of steps.

Celia Wilkinson, a volunteer on the YWR said “As its such a busy time for Father Christmas, we have been working hard since September to ensure that everything is just right from decorations to the mince pies! Everyone has come together to make his visit special, and children under 10 will be able to visit him for only £5.”

Membership and Media director Matthew Brown explained, “in addition to being able to visit Father Christmas, we will also have our beautiful, locally grown Nordmann Fir trees available ranging in size from 5-8ft for only £30. We will also have a full operational crew, so families of 4 can enjoy a brake van ride along the almost ¼ mile of track for £12.50, or can have a tree AND a ride for only £40. We are aware that money can be tight at this time of the year, so have worked hard to offer something that we feel is really good value.”

Phil Robson, Finance Director said “As always, we are really grateful to the volunteers who have worked very hard to prepare the site. It’s a new event for us and we are excited to see how it turns out. These will be the last operating days of 2023 for the YWR. We will then close the site for the essential maintenance to start over the winter period before we reopen to the public on Easter Sunday in 2024.

“We have had an excellent operational year and would like to take this opportunity to thank all members, visitors, and businesses for their continued support – and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”