Passenger figures continue to soar on the Honeybourne Line, with nearly 56,000 tickets sold year to date, an 11.4 per cent increase on the same period last year. Figures were boosted by a very successful Fireman Sam event which itself contributed just over 2,000 of the total. 

"We are enjoying a bonanza in terms of party visits this year," says Colin Dymock, head station master.  "Some of our trains have been packed and as a result, we have added an extra coach to some services*. 

"It looks as if we're heading for another record year." 

Colin points out that the increase is despite a lower number of operating days this year.  "We've operated normal passenger trains on 118 days this year, 10 fewer than last year," he says. "However, our 2010 timetable will see more operating days." 

To end of September the railway had issued 55,755 tickets, compared with 50,035 last year.  September 2009 itself saw 7,694 tickets sold compared with 6,301 in 2008, a 21 per cent increase.  With 14 operating days during the month, this works out to about 550 tickets sold per day.  Sales at Cheltenham Racecourse remain at about a quarter of the total.

*Some trains have been running with seven coaches - the first time trains of this length have been run on the railway's ordinary passenger services.