Members worked hard in advance of the event to ensure that we could manage the expected large numbers of visitors. We were not disappointed as the number of visitors exceeded our expectations helped by the fact that many were eager to get out of their houses and luckily the weather was dry but cool and didnt deter families from coming to ride on the trains and traction engines and of course meeting Santa.

The supply of hot drinks and cakes were supplemented this year with hot soup and rolls and this avoided too much queueing and enabling manageable social distancing.

The first families arrived around 10:30 and a steady flow continued all day until around 3:30. The queues for the trains were from Wortley Central station up to the Iron Works building and the queue never seemed to get smaller until late afternoon. We started by running 3 trains but had to bring a 4th train into action to try to keep the queues moving and to avoid disappointing anyone.

The miniature traction engines were also very busy taking passengers around the site and across to see the many exhibits on display.

The atmosphere was jolly with many smiling faces and plenty of smoke and steam in the air to add to the occasion.

As the light faded and the air became colder so the visitor numbers declined and the tidying up began and the locos and traction engines had their fires dropped and the boilers blown down ready for the next steaming in 2022.

We all enjoyed the day and many thanks to all members who made it a success and special thanks to the wives who kept us all watered and fed. Overall a great day and probably the most visitors we have ever had on one day.

Below a selection of photos taken on the day :