I have rummaged through my files and found the following
paragraphs in 'Bluebell Railway House News', an insert into
'Bluebell News' dated December, 1962 (i.e. the end of the
third season of the Bluebell as a standard-gauge preserved line).
____________
BOXING DAY SPECIAL OPENING. It is hoped to make this a
great success. Already quite a number of advanced bookings
have been made. The staff will be in period costume - Father
Christmas in his specially decorated log cabin will arrive by train
at 2.30 pm. and for the next 45 minutes visitors will be invited to
come into the cabin where there will be a Christmas tree and bran
tub for children. At 3.15 pm. the special train will depart from
Sheffield Park with Father Christmas aboard. The trip will take about
50 minutes and stops will be made en route to enable Father
Christmas to distribute presents.
Please come along and help make the event a success. Tickets are
obtainable in advance at the usual fares - 3/6d. first class, 2/6d. second
class (Children half price). The usual members privilege rates will apply
should such privileges be required on this occassion. Refreshments will
be obtainable all the afternoon.
_____________
Photos in the following month's 'Bluebell News' indicate that the 'cabin'
was a decorated goods brake, which apparently comprised the entire
special train.
Matthew Searle.
> Just when you thought Christmas was over for another year....
>
> I am looking into the origins and proliferation of 'Santa trains', and
> would be delighted to hear from anyone who can provide information or
> point me towards sources of information.
>
> I suspect that the prehistory of Santa trains took place in North
> America before the concept was picked up and turned into an
> income-generating activity by preserved railways on both sides of the
> Atlantic. I'm aware that a Santa rode on streetcars in Milwaukee from
> 1928, advertising Schuster's department store. I'm also aware of the
> Clinchfield Railway's Santa trains which from 1943 have distributed
> gifts to people along the route on behalf of local businesses.
>
> Which railway(s) pioneered 'Santa Specials' in this country? I think
> the idea has been slow to catch on in Europe? I may have had something
> to do with the inauguration of 'Pere Noel' trains on the Baie de Somme
> railway a few years ago (having found myself explaining what the 'Santa
> Specials' operated by their partner railway, the Kent & East Sussex, are
> all about). Or are there instances in Europe which have escaped my
> attention?
>
> Philip Pacey
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