STAFF and volunteers at the Severn Valley Railway are pulling out all the stops to ensure its Christmas events can go ahead this year.

As many other venues and attractions are forced to cancel their festive events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the SVR says visitors will still be able to enjoy a spectacular adventure on the heritage railway.

The SVR is planning a busy programme of Santa trains and Steam in Lights services, starting in late November, and demand for tickets has already been strong since they went on sale earlier this month.

Helen Smith, general manager at the SVR, said tickets are expected to sell out across all Christmas services.

She said: "We’re delighted that we’re able to offer our Christmas visitors a safe and enjoyable experience using the SVR’s extensive fleet of compartment carriages.

"This has more than proved its worth on the services we’ve been running since we reopened for business in August.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The Steam in Lights services are back for Christmas 2020The Steam in Lights services are back for Christmas 2020

"People love the fact that they’re travelling in their own private compartment, where they don’t need to wear face coverings, so they can simply sit back and enjoy the magic.

“It’s wonderful to be able to offer so much to visitors this year, especially after all the uncertainty and strangeness that’s resulted from the pandemic.

"So many venues sadly haven’t been able to run Christmas events this year, so at the Severn Valley Railway we’re absolutely determined to make sure our visitors don’t miss out.”

The Steam in Lights services are back by popular demand and this year they’re promised to be bigger and better than ever.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The Steam in Lights Christmas service is back for 2020The Steam in Lights Christmas service is back for 2020

Starting from a fairy light-covered Bridgnorth Station, the steam-hauled journey will reveal mysterious creatures, sparkling lights, snow flurries and thrills from the warmth and comfort of a private compartment.

There will be plenty of sparkle, glow and shimmer on a vintage train covered with thousands of colourful lights. Visitors will travel through a winter wonderland, past glittering displays and trackside landscapes - plus, this year, there’s a guarantee that - thanks to some clever behind-the-scenes magic - there will be snow at the Severn Valley Railway.

Departures from Bridgnorth are on selected dates between November 27 and December 23.

Prices are between £120 and £130 for up to six people in a compartment, and £80 to £90 for four people in a compartment.

This year’s Santa Trains will once again whisk families on an enchanting steam train trip to Arley, where they will be entertained at a professionally-produced Christmas show.

Starting from the decorated Kidderminster Station, visitors will settle into their private compartment with a festive drink and snack for their Christmas adventure.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The Severn Valley Railway is promising to steam ahead with its calendar of Christmas eventsThe Severn Valley Railway is promising to steam ahead with its calendar of Christmas events

At Arley, visitors will attend a special performance in the Christmas marquee of Jingle, Jangle and the Christmas Cookbook, featuring two elves who get up to all sorts of mischief in Mrs Christmas’s kitchen, where there will also be an appearance by Father Christmas himself.

Back on the train, children will find that early Christmas presents have been left in the private compartment, as they begin their journey back to Kidderminster, with the whole excursion lasting around two hours.

Departures are from Kidderminster on selected dates between November 28 and December 24. A compartment for up to six people is priced at between £170 and £195, and a compartment for four is £110 to £135.

Tickets for the Santa Trains and Steam in Lights are bookable at svr.co.uk or by phoning 01562 757900.