The GWR's Santa Specials have a special place in the hearts of literally thousands of families and they have been happening for 20 years now. The trains start from Toddington and travel to Winchcombe where Santa is waiting.  There are traditional, and very good, refreshments waiting for everyone in the main room at Winchcombe station, too.

A huge amount of work goes into organising the event and we decided to catch Colin Fewell, who is 'chief Elf', about this year's nine-day series of Santa Specials before the next train came in from Toddington. 

How is this year comparing with previous years?  It's looking busy!  

"It just gets better every year and the feedback we get from customers is very positive.  This year, Santa has organised what we think are the best presents he has given children.

"Pleasingly, the trains are as busy as ever and the online booking system has been a real Godsend.  Over half of our tickets have been bought using the system.  It's so simple to use and you can instantly see where there is availability - and more important, which trains are full. 

Not everyone realises that the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is entirely volunteer-run - and that obviously applies to the Santa Special programme too.  How many people are involved this year? 

"You're right - many people are amazed that the whole exciting programme is run by people who give up ther time during the busy run-up to Christmas. 

"This year there are about 24 volunteers involved on each of the nine Santa days - and that doesn't include the train crews, on-train catering staff, signalmen and all those others who work hard behind the scenes to make our railway tick.  Multiply that by the nine days of Santa Specials and you get a clue to what a huge undertaking it has become.

"We couldn't manage without such a dedicated band of enthusiastic volunteers and this year we have managed to attract a few more!

But I imagine it's really hard work?

"Yes, it certainly is but at the same time, it's incredibly rewarding. Not only are we giving a lot of people a really special and memorable day - the similes and laughter from the children tell us that - but the profits all go into developing the railway.  It also helps to finance and improve the following year's Santa specials, too!"

They say Christmas is for children but there seem to be a lot of adults too - mums, dads, grandparents … there's a really happy atmosphere.  Do you think many of them are reliving their own childhood?

"I'm sure that's true and there's no doubt that the children's excitement is infectious and rubs off on the grown-ups as well. 

"Sometimes we get just parties of adults coming.  Last year for instance, we had a party of 74 pensioners, mostly ladies, all behaving as if they were six or seven years old once again.  They all insisted on sitting on Santa's lap - fortunately one at a time!  He needed to have a good lie down after that and I suspect there might even have been a reviving glass of Scotch involved somewhere at the end of the day…

"We get a regular hen parties: young ladies who just enjoy the fun of travelling by steam train to see Santa and I'm certain he looks forward to that!

"On a couple of days this year love really was in the air.  Two chaps, on separate days, took the opportunity to ask their girlfriends to marry them and Santa handed over a couple of teething rings to one of the young ladies - perhaps a clue to the future!  Santa handed the engagement ring over to the other lucky couple as he got down on bended knee to pop the question.  You can imagine the tears of joy for them and their families.  That's the magic of steam trains and Santa!

"May be we'll create real headline news one day and have someone married by Santa!!"

I guess this is an opportunity too, for parents to get a clue to what their youngsters would like for Christmas when Santa asks them?

"That's certainly true.  Of course you get the usual things, like an X-box, a TV for their bedroom, the latest computer games, along with  traditional things too, like roller-blades or bikes or a train set. 

"Sometimes the requests are really touching - one young lad this year said his best present would be 'for Granny to get better' and our hearts really go out to youngsters who want such things.  It made us all wish that as well, so just maybe his Granny did feel a little bit better.

What sort of feedback to you get from visitors?

"Well, we try to ask everyone what they think and without exception, they all say it's the best they have been to.  Several who have been to other railways say they will always come to us in future, which tells us that we've got this pretty much right.  What's most important is that we offer really good value for money and this day and age people really appreciate that.  Because we are volunteers it means we can offer something really special because we don't have lots of salaries to pay.  But the whole season is, nevertheless, very profitable and as I said before, that all gets ploughed back into the railway which ultimately improves the experience for all our visitors.  It's win-win all round." 

I must say, the mince pies are excellent that you're giving away here at Winchcombe to Santa ticket holders - thanks!  The fire in the grate too, it all gives a wonderful seasonal feeling.  All we need is some snow instead of this drizzle…

"I'm glad you mention the pies.  Yes, they are brilliant, aren't they?  The mince pies are made locally especially for us and they have the most delightful crumbly pastry.  They're big as well!  We have a big oven in the kitchen that we installed especially to warm them us. 

"In fact, the pies are so popular that this year, because people keep asking for them, we have been selling them over the counter in the buffet bars on the trains.  They have been going like, well, hot mince pies!

Unfortunately, we can't do much about the weather but we can give everyone a warm welcome.  And that we certainly do!

After you have recovered over the Christmas period you'll enjoy having a rest!  But what are your plans for the future?

"Yes - we'll all enjoy the break, but not for long!  Planning the Santa Specials takes months - thinking about the presents we can give for example.  They must be different every year because of all the repeat business we get and the orders have to be in before the summer. 

"We think about how the whole event can be improved and we need to make sure that Santa's carriage and grotto are maintained and freshened up ready for next year. 

"We may for just a fleeting moment think 'never again!' but in fact, we soon start looking forward to next year. 

"We know this is the best way to meet Father Christmas for miles around, people tell us so.  They come from miles around as well - in fact, we even had bookings from as far away as Singapore and Costa Rica - as well as several from elsewhere in Europe.

"And as for the future, well, we plan to do much the same again next year.  We have considered expanding the programme, for example running a Santa train from Cheltenham.  Extending to Broadway gives other opportunities.  But why fix something that isn't broke?

"Of course we will consider future opportunities as the railway expands but this is an efficient and enjoyable event that's appreciated by our guests - and of course, by Santa.  So we won't take any risks that might spoil what we have already. 

"But one thing I can promise.  Next year will be better than ever and may be it will snow!"