Great Western Coffee Shop

The Santa trip that the Melksham Railway Development Group is running on Saturday 1st December is sold out, as Santa has only 25 minutes to see all the children on the 15:19 from Swindon to Melksham.   However - the train should be a 2 car unit both ways, so that leaves capacity for extra adults to join us.

We're leaving Melksham at 09:22 for Swindon, have the morning and lunch there, and we're back in Melksham for 15:48.   The train starts from / continues to Westbury, with connections onwards from / to Salisbury, Warminster,  Frome, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath and Bristol.

Go on then, if I'm free will join the train, as I'm getting used to my regular Santa rides on Melksham now, just glad the day there and back can still be done on a Saturday at resonable times.

Will be nice to meet some other members from here/STT as well

Cheers

Jim

Santa Claus is travelling from Swindon to Melksham on the afternoon of Saturday, 1st December .... and the Melksham Railway Development Group is arranging a trip for the children to meet him.  A number of the more active folks on this board (and on "Save the Train" too) will be coming along too, and it's been suggested that I put a notice up to encourage anyone who wishes to join us.  Here are the travel plans:

Saturday, 1st December 2007.

09:07 from Westbury
09:12 from Trowbridge
09:22 from Melksham
09:32 from Chippenham
09:50 into Swindon

15:19 from Swindon
15:35 from Chippenham
15:45 into Melksham
15:58 at Trowbridge
16:03 at Westbury

Connection from Salisbury at 08:27, getting back there at 17:09 (change at Westbury in both directions)

"Connection" from Frome at 08:13, getting back there at 18:06, change and wait at Westbury in both directions.

Connection from Bristol Temple Meads at 08:22, getting back there at 16:51, change at Trowbridge in both directions.  From Bath Spa at 08:35 getting back there at 16:37.

From Dilton Marsh at 07:27 according to National Rail (but 08:09 change at Warminster possible at higher price !) getting back there at 17:09.

Father Christmas can ONLY see a limited number of children on the 15:19 train - he's not able to travel both ways this year due to the current timetable - and all children's tickets are already booked.  However, the train will be scheduled as a 2 car unit (143 up, 158 back) so that there is plenty of space for others.

Santa Special Adult Return fare from Melksham to Swindon - 6 pounds to include a mince pie and a drink (profit to Melksham Railway Development Group); let me know by email (graham@wellho.net) if you want one. OR just come along / buy a regular ticket if you like.

The "Elves" (Santa's Helpers) are planning to ride out to Kemble on the 14:11 from Swindon, returning on the 14:33 so that they have a few minutes to prepare the train / have it arrive in Swindon in Style.

Glad to see it will be a 158 back this year, it was a bit hard doing a 143 last year, it was even harder for Santa to sort everyone out!

It's with much regret that I won't be able to make this years Santa special, as I now have to go to this family party in Torquay. :( I *could* have got the train back to there from Melksham, but according to the NR site, replacement bus services are in operation from Exeter St Davids meaning I'd get back from Melksham to Torquay far too late...sorry about that! If there's any other Melksham- Swindon trips happening at a weekend in the future that people will be attending, please let me know and I'd love to go.

If I was able to choose between the party and train ride, it's pretty clear which one I'd go for... ;)

Enjoy your bus along the Newton Road to Newton Abbot. I counted all the leaves on one tree once  ;)

Santa Special!   1st December

09:22 Melksham - 09:50 Swindon
15:19 Swindon - 15:44 Melksham

Santa will be joining the train at Kemble. His elves (a.k.a. Sion and Graham) travelling up from Swindon at 14:11, Kemble from 14:25 to 14:33, back in to Swindon on the same train that carries on to Melksham at 14:48.


33 children booked ... and looks like (no final numbers yet) there will be 40 to 50 adults in the group - not all on "Santa tickets" and many of the extras will be old friends.  I'm going to suggest that we might all meet up for an early lunch somewhere near the station in Swindon - anoyone have any venue ideas?   Final decision can be made on the train on the way up.

Graham

Have a good day Grahame and co., you will be pleased to know that I can't make it along today, however please do have a good day, and hope that all the kids manage to get served by Santa onboard, unlike last year when Santa had to bail at Melksham because he ran out of time, I personally blame the 143 for that! :P :P :D

Thanks, Jim .... pictures to follow. Off to the station now!