Bluebell Railway CHRISTMAS Services 1995

Details of the Santa Specials and Golden Arrow Pullman services running this December.

Santa Specials

The magical world of Santa will come to life for you and your children on board the train this Christmas, as he greets you all with seasonal cheer and a gift for your little ones. Our programme of Christmas Special trains is designed to provide a treat for all the family.

Our Santa Specials will leave Sheffield Park and head for Kingscote, some nine miles away. Meandering gently through the delightful Sussex countryside, the journey will take you through a very atmospheric 1/2 mile tunnel to Kingscote.

At Kingscote there will be time to see the locomotive move from one end of the train to the other for the return journey to Sheffield Park. Your return trip with us will last about 90 minutes.

To make your visit enjoyable and unhurried we reserve seats for your journey at the time of booking with the traditional layout of "facing" or "back" to the engine. For this reason we ask you to book in advance.

The procedure is quite easy. Telephone us with your credit card number for an immediate confirmation of your reservation - further details are included below.

After Christmas we will be operating our normal train service on the 26th to the 31st of December, departing from Sheffield Park Station at 11.00a.m., 12.30p.m., 2.00p.m. and 3.30p.m.

All our Santa trains start from Sheffield Park station where we have the Bessemer Arms bar restaurant. Festive and other luncheon menus will be available, and to reserve a table just telephone 01825 722008. Our self-service restaurant - Puffers - will also be open, where you can enjoy anything from a cup of tea to a full meal, and no reservations are necessary.

To complete your visit, or just to find those last minute stocking fillers, our well stocked souvenir shop at Sheffield Park features a huge range of transport books and videos, together with possibly the largest range of Thomas the Tank Engine products you will ever find under one roof! Welcome to our Christmas programme - we are sure you will enjoy your time with us.

How to get to the Bluebell (All Santa trains are from Sheffield Park Station. Vintage bus from East Grinstead does not run).

CHRISTMAS TIMETABLE 1995

All trains on the Bluebell line are hauled by a steam engine.

Train departures from SHEFFIELD PARK STATION on Saturday 2, Sunday 3, Saturday 9, Wednesday 20, Thursday 21 and Friday 22 December:

11.00 a.m.       1.00 p.m.        3.00 p.m.
All trains convey Observation Car, First and Third Class carriages.

Train departures from SHEFFIELD PARK STATION on Sunday 10, Saturday 16, Sunday 17, Saturday 23, Sunday 24 December:

10.45 a.m.*       11.30 a.m.       12.45 p.m.*
 1.30 p.m.         2.45 p.m.*       3.30 p.m.
All trains convey First and Third Class carriages, and those marked * convey an Observation Car.

OBSERVATION CAR:
A beautifully restored vehicle built in 1913 with panoramic side and end windows affording the best possible view of the line. A popular Christmas choice - so book early!

FIRST CLASS:
That extra touch for Christmas with generous seating, some in six-seat compartments, some in 4 and 2 seat bays adjoining a central aisle.

THIRD CLASS:
More comfortable than the name implies! The pleasantly upholstered seating is mainly in 4-seat bays either side of a central aisle. This saloon style enhances the feeling of anticipation as Father Christmas approaches.


How To Book Your Santa Special Seats

Bookings open Monday 2 October 1995

Telephone: 01825 724114 between 10.00a.m. and 4.00p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and 11.00a.m. to 3.30p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Quote your Mastercard or Visa Card number together with the date of expiry for an immediate confirmed reservation. Your tickets will be posted to you.

By Post: Complete the booking form (available from: Santa Specials, Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex TN22 3QL)

OBSERVATION CAR - Available only on the trains indicated Adult at 11 UKP each, Child (3 to 13) at 8 UKP each

FIRST CLASS CARRIAGE - Available on all trains Adult at 11 UKP each, Child (3 to 13) at 8 UKP each

THIRD CLASS CARRIAGE - Available on all trains Adult at 7 UKP each, Child (3 to 13) at 5 UKP each

TODDLERS 1-3 years old in any class of accommodation at 3 UKP each

PLEASE NOTE

Our well established series of Santa Special trains inevitably fills quite quickly, particularly the two weekends prior to Christmas Day, so we advise you to book as early as possible with, where possible, alternative times and/or dates.

We will consider refunds on their merits if cancellations are made at least 7 days before the date of travel. Unfortunately refunds cannot be considered after this time (except in emergencies). Requests for refunds must be notified by telephone and immediately confirmed in writing.

Obviously every effort will be made to run the trains according to this timetable but unforeseen circumstances may entail alterations of cancellations. Bluebell Railway Operating Limited reserves the right to vary any of the provisions contained within this leaflet without prior notice.


GOLDEN ARROW PULLMAN
Christmas Season 1995

The Bluebell Railway's Golden Arrow Pullman dining train is the perfect setting for a special Christmas evening with friends or an intimate evening for two. The train recreates the fabulous Golden Arrow which once linked London and Paris with the style and panache which made it one of the most glamorous and famous trains in the world. On board you will enjoy fine food and wine served to the standards of yesteryear.

Our Christmas Season trains really are special. There is a traditional Christmas menu served on the leisurely journey starting from Sheffield Park Station and travelling to our present terminus at Kingscote. Later in the evening the train calls at Horsted Keynes Station where there will be time to leave the festively decorated Cars and listen to the choir singing carols around the Christmas tree. Wallow in the nostalgia and elegance of Christmas past.

The Golden Arrow Christmas Specials will run on Saturdays December 2,9,16 and 23 leaving Sheffield Park at 8.00p.m. and returning by 11.00p.m.

To travel on these trains your ticket will be 18 UKP First Class or 16 UKP Third Class, payable on reservation. The Table d'hote menu is 23 UKP payable on the day.

Golden Arrow Christmas Specials also run on the following weekday evenings, departing Sheffield Park at 8.00p.m. and returning by 11.00p.m.; 1, 8, 15, 19-22 December.

To travel on these trains your ticket will be 16 UKP First Class or 14 UKP Third Class, payable on reservation. The Table d'hote menu is 23 UKP payable on the day.

THE NEW CENTURY LOUNGE
An ideal car for those office parties, the New Century Lounge is a 1960's Carriage which holds a banqueting table for 24 people. The cost of this car is 300 UKP payable on reservation. The menu price for Saturdays is 23 UKP and for weekdays 22 UKP, payable on the evening. It is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

HOW TO BOOK FOR THE GOLDEN ARROW
For reservations and further information please telephone 01825 722008 between 10.00a.m. and 4.00p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and 11.00a.m. to 3.30p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Please request GOLDEN ARROW Reservations.

Return to Bluebell Home Page, or to Mark's UK Railway Preservation Home Page

Copyright (c) 4 October 1995 Richard Salmon and the Bluebell Railway Operating Ltd.