Another Great Year for the Hayling Seaside Railway!

- Mon 16th Nov 2009

2009 has been a momentous year for Bob Haddock and the volunteers of the Hayling Seaside Railway, culminating as it did in glorious September sunshine, with Hayling’s first public passenger steam trains since the November 1963 closure of the sadly lamented ‘Hayling Billy’ branch line. Negotiations are already well in hand for a repeat visit or two for an extended period of 'Hayling Seaside Steam' in 2010.

December is in many ways always been among our busiest months on the Hayling Seaside Railway, and this year is likely to be no exception with an enhanced programme of ‘Santa Specials’, this year for the first time operating in conjunction with our neighbours at the Funland Amusement Park.

The much expanded all inclusive package includes entry to Funland’s ‘Kidz Kingdom’ play area and a variety of exciting funfair rides, in addition to the customary seasonal train ride to and from Eastoke Corner, with a magical visit to Father Christmas’ Grotto and a special gift for the children, plus and wine and mince pies for the adults on the return trip. While Santa himself moves from his usual railway carriage grotto, to more palatial accommodation within Funland itself. Full details including dates and times of operation, prices and how to book can be found at the Funland website http://www.funland.info/ Telephone 023 92 462820.

So as not to forget our regular loyal customers on Hayling and those of you who are perhaps getting a little long in the tooth for sitting opon Santa’s knee, subject as always to the availability of seats on the day a full range of single, return and family fares for the railway journey only, will remain available at the usual prices.

The 2010 season begins with the annual New Year’s Day visit to Hayling Island, of the massed Citroen 2CV’s of the ‘Pompey Puddleducks’ and the Guildford based ‘Fils de Vitesse’ (Daughters of Speed!) adding a welcome splash of colour to the Funland car park, while the regular service passenger trains to Eastoke provide the ideal way of blowing away the post Christmas cobwebs!

A full range of activities are already in the planning stage for the coming year, including our annual ‘Classic Transport Gathering’ organised jointly with Funland, and the Local Locomotion and Hayling Legends car clubs, and the return after a year’s absence of our popular ‘Model Railways in the Shed’ event, to be held in and around Beachlands station, workshops and depot. Both events will feature an intensive service of passenger and goods trains hauled by the railway’s growing collection of veteran diesel locomotives.

We will also be continuing with our popular and successful series of ‘Charity Days’ when all passenger ticket revenues for the day are donated to a selected good cause. Recipients for 2009 included the Hayling R.N.L.I. Hayling First Responders and the Hampshire Air Ambulance Service. Full details of all these events and more as they emerge, including the 2010 season of ‘Hayling Seaside Steam’, can be found on the Hayling Seaside Railway website http://www.haylingseasiderailway.com/ Email:
haylingrailwayevents@ntlworld.com or phone the railway’s genial owner Bob Haddock on 023 92 372427.

By forum user, Hayling Seaside Railway

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