Light rail! Steam locomotive decked out with 13,000 bulbs starts taking passengers on festive journeys down Hampshire line
A heritage LED locomotive decked with fully controllable colour mixing lights has begun to welcome passengers on board for a 'world first' Christmas spectacle.
Steam Illuminations will offer passengers the chance to marvel at a festive light show as they travel between the market towns of Alresford to Alton in Hampshire on the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line.
It comes after the S-15 freight locomotive, which is one of two steam trains on the Mid Hants Railway's Watercress Line, was left unable to run for four months and lost more than £1million in revenue amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Created in partnership with Purple Lighting Ltd, the light show will feature different colours and flashing patterns as passengers sit inside the steam locomotive, which is fitted with 13,174 fully controllable LED lights.
Steam Illuminations is fitted with 13,174 fully controllable LED lights and wristbands and will offer passengers the chance to enjoy a festive light show as they travel between Alresford to Alton in Hampshire on the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line
Passengers will have a chance to see the outside of the train at the start before they enjoy a festive light show from inside
During their journey, passengers will be given an LED wristband, which is included in the price of their ticket, to wear on the steam train and take home after the event.
Visitors will also be entertained with popular and traditional music during their festive journey.
The show will run between December 11 and 23, 27 and 31 and from January 1 to January 3, with tickets ranging from £45.00 for a table of up to two adults to £85.00 for a table that seats four.
Speaking before the train's launch, general manager Simon Baggott said: 'We are delighted to be bringing this unique event to the Watercress Line.
'It's a wonderful experience the whole family can enjoy together and is sure to be an event to remember.'
Meanwhile a spokesperson for the Watercress Line added: 'We are so excited to offer such a new experience to our visitors and hope we can provide some Christmas cheer for all the family especially during these unprecedented times.'
On its website, the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line explained that it had lost more than £1million in revenue this year and seen several events cancelled amid the pandemic.
A statement read: 'The railway has been unable to run trains for four months already, and sadly several events have had to be cancelled.
'Over £1m in revenue has been lost so far this year. For more details on our Appeal please visit our donation page at Virgin Money Giving. Or you can donate £10 by texting WATERCRESS to 70085.'
Beginning life in October 1965, the Mid Hants Railway was created in order to connect existing lines at Alton and Winchester and provide an alternative route between London and Southampton.
Passengers will be given an LED wristband, which is included in the price of their ticket, to wear on the steam train
The show will run between December 11 and 23, 27 and 31 and from January 1 to January 3 and will also offer passengers the chance to listen to popular and traditional music
The S-15 freight locomotive, which was left unable to run for four months amid the coronavirus pandemic, will travel between Alresford to Alton in Hampshire
During the First and Second World War, the 17-mile long locomotive, which was initially used to transport locally produced watercress, was used to transport military cargo between the army town of Aldershot and Southampton.
In 1880, London and South West Railways took a 999-year lease on the line and acquired all the assets of the Alton, Alresford & Winchester Railway.
However in 1923, the line joined the Southern Railway and later British Railways in 1948.
After the Mid Hants line was electrified in 1937, its steam services began to slow down and passenger numbers declined but in 1957, following the arrival of diesel engines, the line saw its services improve once more.
Despite a campaign by John Taylor, deputy clerk of Winchester Rural District Council, to protect the line, it was closed in February 1973.
But the line from Alresford to Alton was later purchased from British Rail in 1975 and a team of volunteers helped restore the railway to its former glory.
It now runs as a preserved heritage railway under the control of the Mid Hants Railway Ltd.