• Special 'Santa' days on January 8^th and 9^th
• Reduced price pay-on-the-day tickets include two presents for youngsters!
• Hot mince pies to round off Christmas!

Over the weekend of 8^th and 9^th January, the Honeybourne Line is flinging open its carriage doors for a New Year Santa party.

The trains are being laid on for everyone who was disappointed when snow and ice brought Santa Special steam trains to a halt during what would have been one of the railway's busiest weeks, just before Christmas. Anyone who would like to experience this special weekend is also welcome! 

This special steam train service runs between Toddington and Winchcombe, with trains departing from Toddington every hour between 10.00 and 15.00 on both days.  Tickets are just £12.00 per person (£1 discount off usual Santa Special prices) and include visits to Santa in his grotto at Winchcombe station - and two gifts for all children! There are no advanced bookings: buy tickets on the day.

Rounding off the visit are hot mince pies and hot drinks at Winchcombe station, all included in the price for these special days.

Colin Fewell, commercial director and 'chief elf' at the Honeybourne Line says: "Although the snowy conditions were perfect for Santa's sleigh, that same weather led to frozen points, frozen water supply (vital for steam engines!) and nearly a foot of snow on platforms, bridges and roadways.  It also meant that many of our volunteers couldn't get to the railway to operate the service.   

"We were just as bitterly disappointed as the hundreds of families who couldn't see Santa.  That's why we have decided to put on this special weekend.

"It's Santa's way to say 'sorry' that so many youngsters were disappointed that he couldn't see them when the special trains were cancelled."

Colin pointed out that all those whose trains were cancelled are receiving a full refund and for the 8^th and 9^th January trains, there is no need to book. 

"Just turn up - tickets will be available at the Toddington station booking office," he explains.

"Some people have asked if their unused Santa tickets will be valid on these special trains.  But for our volunteer administrators, it is much more straightforward to provide full refunds for everyone, so they won't. 

"It's also a chance for people who hadn't booked for the pre-Christmas Santa trains to experience what has been described as one of the best Santa visits in the Midlands!" he added.

This is the first time in the railway's 29-year history that the Santa Specials have had to be cancelled because of the weather. 

Says Colin: "Snow has never fallen during the Santa Specials and sometimes we've thought that it would be the perfect finishing touch.  But I guess this is a case of 'being careful about what you wish for' - a foot of the stuff just caused chaos throughout the country - not just for the Honeybourne Line."

Meanwhile, trains are running on New Year's Day and on Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd January to the  revised Blue Timetable between Toddington and Gotherington. 

The line is closed from 10th January for winter maintenance and essential permanent way works until Saturday 26th March.  Click here for the 2011 timetables.