December 2013
Santa Specials at Yeovil Railway Centre




Sunday 8 December 2013
Getting steam up for the first day's action.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




A test run down the branch was undertaken before public running began.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Awaiting the first visitors.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




On the platform
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Nativity scene can be viewed from the train.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Close up detail.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




The welcoming party at the gate!
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




A temporary shop has been set up in the Transfer Shed.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Waiting to see Santa.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Photos of some of our volunteers who help make the event so popular.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




More than one way to keep your hands warm!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Sunday 15 December 2013
Various photos follow
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




'Spike'
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Peckett 'Pectin' as seen from the GWR 'Toad' brakevan. Note the vacuum gauge on the left which also includes a setter for use of the guard to stop the train during propelling moves.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




17 December 2013 - after each event the steam locos have to be disposed of (fires cleaned, ashpan emptied, motion oiled, engine cleaned and examined for faults. Any repairs found necessary then have to be carried out. Both steam engines and two of our diesels are seen en-route to the pit for servicing.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Saturday 21 December 2013
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




22 December 2013
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Elf Kevin was presented with his very own Santa surprise. We hope that he enjoyed it!
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Monday 23 December 2013 proved to be a challenge! For much of the day it rained and the wind blew (although it blew harder later that night!). Still, the team perservered (some seen here) and the vast majority of booked visitors (and a few who hadn't) turned up to enjoy themselves!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Husband and wife engine crew.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




It was already raining when the engines were being prepared in the morning.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




'Pectin' pulls the 'Toad' brakevan and coach away from the engine shed, 'Lord Fisher' waits to be coupled on and Roger does an impression of walking on water!.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




A Jolly Santa!.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




It continued to rain!.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Model Railway in operation.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Inside the Transfer Shed (Visitor Centre) our guests enjoyed themselves - this young lady is making a snow angel?
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Whilst outside it continued to rain (harder). After our visitors had departed part of the car park had been turned into a marina! Over the years the volunteers (and visitors) have experienced snow, ice and some glorious days but this was by far the wettest! Thanks to everyone who helped and came to make Santa Specials 2013 another great event!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)


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