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  • Santa Trip - Melksham: December 09, 2018
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Author Topic: 9th December 2018 - Santa, Melksham to Swindon and back  (Read 3952 times)
grahame
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« on: October 22, 2018, 11:33:37 »

The Melksham Rail User Group is pleased to confirm that Santa Claus will once again be travelling by train from Melksham to Swindon and back - leaving Melksham Station at 14:50 on Sunday 9th December 2018, and arriving back there at 15:53.

This is a popular trip and places will be limited - full details in the Melksham News in early November, with tickets on sale there from the date of publication.

This year, Santa's planning to make a further trip too on that date - probably Westbury to Swindon and back, and as and when I hear details I'll add them here.
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« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2018, 16:15:21 »

The Melksham Rail User Group is pleased to confirm that Santa Claus will once again be travelling by train from Melksham to Swindon and back - leaving Melksham Station at 14:50 on Sunday 9th December 2018, and arriving back there at 15:53.

This is a popular trip and places will be limited - full details in the Melksham News in early November, with tickets on sale there from the date of publication.

This year, Santa's planning to make a further trip too on that date - probably Westbury to Swindon and back, and as and when I hear details I'll add them here.

Santa is not welcome unless he brings better performance and reliability around the Swindon area  Cheesy. In all seriousness, a good idea to keep passengers entertained.
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grahame
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« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2018, 16:58:01 »

The Melksham Rail User Group is pleased to confirm that Santa Claus will once again be travelling by train from Melksham to Swindon and back - leaving Melksham Station at 14:50 on Sunday 9th December 2018, and arriving back there at 15:53.

This is a popular trip and places will be limited - full details in the Melksham News in early November, with tickets on sale there from the date of publication.

This year, Santa's planning to make a further trip too on that date - probably Westbury to Swindon and back, and as and when I hear details I'll add them here.

Santa is not welcome unless he brings better performance and reliability around the Swindon area  Cheesy. In all seriousness, a good idea to keep passengers entertained.

In all seriousness we have a massive amount to thank our Santa for (yes, I did see your smiley face).   Rumour has it that Santa spends much of the year away from Christmas in Lapland, benignly supervising a flock of elves as they manufacture toys, and playing with his databases of names, addresses and naughty or nice flags.   Rumour, though, has it wrong.

Without our Santa, TransWilts services would most likely remain at two per day - with an earlier morning departure from London still getting you to Mallaig (17:43) before Melksham (19:13), and with Melksham being the only station south of the arctic circle with its entire weekday service calling in the dark in winter.   We have a lot to thank our Santa for.

He ... continues ... away from his Christmas duties to pilot the strategic development of the line and services ... and that was recognised nationally by him being shortlisted for the ACoRP (Association of Community Rail Partnerships) individual award this year; perhaps he only failed to be placed because yours truly didn't polish his brasses as much as others had their brasses polished ... or perhaps because he does so much work behind the scenes that he's not that well known on the platform, train and national stage.

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« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2018, 15:30:51 »

Text to press:

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Now in it’s 21st year!

Santa Claus will be travelling on the train from MELKSHAM Station at 14:45 on Sunday 9th December, arriving back about an hour later. Tickets will include a present from Santa for each child, train travel, and a minced pie and a drink for everyone. Adults - £10.00, Children £5.00 . Santa supports Melksham, with all supplies purchased locally and tickets on sale at the Melksham TIC (Tourist Information Centre) from 8th November 2018.

The annual "Santa Trip" is organised by the Melksham Rail User Group (MRUG» (Melksham Rail User Group - site)) formerly the Melksham Rail Development Group from the days before we had many users! Co-ordinator / Santa's local rep - Graham Ellis on 01225 708225 (also vice chair of MRUG).
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« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2018, 11:01:41 »

SOLD OUT  Grin Grin
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« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2018, 13:34:57 »

All ready to go ... after a heart-stopping cancellation of the first round trip this morning, subsequent services have run and usually excellent sources tell me that all is in order.
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« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2018, 14:40:11 »

All ready to go ... after a heart-stopping cancellation of the first round trip this morning, subsequent services have run and usually excellent sources tell me that all is in order.

Where is it?, Can only see 2M11 on line. Or is this the train.
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« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2018, 16:24:11 »

The santa special was half of 2M11 and 2M12 complete with headboard on the outward direction.  Everyone enjoyed themselves including the girl who was scared of trains.  No doubt Grahame will add his bit later and I expect Bobm will post his photograph of it arriving at the north pole Swindon
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« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2018, 17:54:44 »

The santa special was half of 2M11 and 2M12 complete with headboard on the outward direction.  Everyone enjoyed themselves including the girl who was scared of trains.  No doubt Grahame will add his bit later and I expect Bobm will post his photograph of it arriving at the north pole Swindon

Went well - Thank you for your help Roger.   Pictures to follow.   Will email everyone (and post pictures here) when I finish my evening's train journey.  Draft below that will give you the flavour.

Quote
Dear Paul, and Roger, Peter, Marianne, John, Horace, Sophie, Eddy, Lisa and Peter,

Many many thanks for you all your help today running the "Santa Trip".  Good time had by all; everyone left happy.  Also a big "Thank You" to the elf's wrapping party and those otherwise involve in the setup.  And - help with the job no-one wants - clearing up the train and Melksham station once everyone else has gone. You all know who you are.

I understand from the elves that the present labelling and sorting changes this year worked well.  The other change was that this was the first appearance of our Santa on a turbo.   Lesson to ensure we empty our festive food boxes quickly and then use them as a table.

Financially, we should have covered our costs and made a modest profit to go back into MRUG» (Melksham Rail User Group - site) funds - the purpose of the trip is to promote the station and its use so I'm more than happy with that.   We actually trimmed back on the promotion this year (as we sold out quickly) so perhaps next year we should consider ... ah but that is 12 months away and a lot of water will flow under the bridge. By next December we may have a fully functioning volunteer hub and that will bring us new metrics.

The add on price of printing leaflets is small ... and I have a good supply of the Melksham Specific one, which is styled "winter and spring" - please do call me / pop by (from next Saturday - I am working in Canbridge this week) if you would like supplies. I also attach a draft diary for MRUG for 2019  (also at http://www.mrug.org.uk/mrug2019_b.pdf ) so you can put the dates of meetings, etc, in your diary.

Anyway - thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU.
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« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2018, 20:50:50 »







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« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2018, 20:57:03 »

Sad I could not be there, but watched train on Opentraintimes go over points at Thingley.
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grahame
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« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2018, 23:37:33 »

A different Santa trip.   Geeze ....

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/sobbing-children-left-traumatised-horror-15528809
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« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2018, 09:19:27 »

The santa special was half of 2M11 and 2M12 complete with headboard on the outward direction.  Everyone enjoyed themselves including the girl who was scared of trains.  No doubt Grahame will add his bit later and I expect Bobm will post his photograph of it arriving at the north pole Swindon

As requested.....


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« Reply #13 on: December 12, 2018, 11:50:44 »

From the TransWilts page - a further report

https://transwilts.org/events/225-santa-train-9-december-2018

Quote
Santa Train Success - 9 December 2018

A wonderful time was had by all on Sunday 9 December as Santa came to visit Melksham station. He even had time for a quick trip to Swindon and back and got to meet some wonderful people.

There was a fabulous turnout and everyone left very happy and full of Christmas spirit.
 
Thank you to the Melksham Rail Users Group for organising the event. It was a great success!
 
TransWilts is looking forward to holding future trips in 2019. Lots of fun ahead and exciting times to come connecting with our local communities. Watch this space Smiley
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« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2018, 12:36:41 »

Have just noticed in one of the pictures, that the waiting shelter should ave been painted green by now, should,nt it.
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