The advertisement for the Santa Special on the website for the railway society. In reality no snow or trees which is a pity for much effort by the volunteers was put into the setting up of the tracks etc. 

The Santa Specials normally operated in Thorne Memorial Park were transferred to the town market place using a portable track set up by the members of the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society amidst some of the craft stalls and entertainment area.  Click here for more photographs

Sooty and Sweep, music of George Formby, Santa's, a Brass Band, many of the retailers put on decorated stalls in the main shopping arcade in Thorne, 

From 2000 the miniature railway put on Santa Specials in the park and were highly successful especially as a result of adverting in the local press, leaflets and posters. Personally I feel these were a better attraction than a short length of portable track next to a derelict building in the market area. We made available courtesy of Brammal Construction Santa bags with gifts for the children, free soft drinks and much much more. It was a fun day for all ages with real steam hauled trains too. Least said about the last couple of years.   

The local community radio station TMCR FM used to provide the music for us and even one of the members seen setting up his model train layout for the children to try their hand at driving. Sadly the 2013 event was nothing like those events when I was a member.

On Sunday 24th November 2013 on a journey back from Gloucester I called in for a very brief visit to Alan Keef Ltd. They are a family firm that has traded since 1968. The business is and always has been railways of all types from 10¼" to 3' 6" rail gauge with the occasional standard gauge item thrown in for good measure.

Above making an appearance outside their workshops was this 0-4-0 steam locomotive whilst below are several items of rolling stock that were seen in the yard. If you travel on many of our narrow guage railways the Alan Keef manufacturers plate be seen for example on some of the carriages on the Welsh Highland Railway.