Carol concert trains bring festive joy to Corfe Castle station

Photo: Andrew P.M. Wright

Two popular evening Christmas carol concert trains have brought festive joy and cheer to Corfe Castle’s Victorian station which has played host to a choir, a band and a talented teenager playing the evocative Scottish bagpipes.

Special steam evening trains ran on Thursdays 11 and 18 December, 2025, from Swanage station to Corfe Castle where the concerts of songs and carols took place with singers and musicians performing in the station’s restored Victorian goods shed which houses the Swanage Railway museum.

Featured in the concerts were the Carol Train Singers – conducted by musical director Angus Murray-Brown from Swanage – the Tuxedo Brass Quartet and teenager Freddie Sills who played the Scottish bagpipes in classic Highland dress including a tartan kilt.

The Carol Train Singers choir was specially formed for the festive concerts with its members being drawn from the Harmony Rocks choir based at Harman’s Cross village hall between Corfe Castle and Swanage.

The Tuxedo Brass Quartet is based in Swanage with Angus Murray-Brown’s wife Jacqui being a member of the group.

Living near Wareham, 18 year-old Freddie Sills is a former member of the Swanage Railway’s Sygnets youth group who has been playing the bagpipes for eight years.

Freddie played seven classic Scottish marches and ballads during the Christmas carol concert – the three welcoming the steam train as it ran into Corfe Castle station and passengers disembarked, three during the concert and the last as the steam train departed Corfe Castle for Swanage.

On arrival at Corfe Castle station, the train passengers also had the opportunity to enjoy tasty mince pies and mulled wine to add to the festive atmosphere.

The Christmas carol concerts were organised by Bob Bunyar and his wife Sue who live in Swanage. A dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer for almost 40 years, Bob is part of the team that maintains the heritage line’s station at Harman’s Cross.

Swanage Railway Chief Executive Officer Abbie King said: “Seeing the carol trains return has been truly special. Bringing this much-loved tradition back to the railway

has reminded us what the Swanage Railway is really about — bringing people together.

“From Swanage to Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle, the sound of carols travelling along the line has connected our communities, created shared moments of joy and shown the railway at its very best: warm, welcoming and at the heart of the places we serve,” added Abbie.

Event organiser Bob Bunyar explained: “Both Christmas carol trains soon sold out and there was a wonderful atmosphere at Corfe Castle station as the passengers joined in with the carol singing.

“The carol trains were great festive fun and a chance for people to enjoy carol singing - a great mix of steam, a train ride, community singing, tasty mince pies and mulled wine plus the evocative Scottish bagpipes.

“As passengers got off the steam train back at Swanage, there were many gratifying comments of thanks and praising what a lovely evening it was so I think the Christmas concerts really went down well.

“A lot of detailed work has gone on behind the scenes to plan, prepare and stage the two festive concerts at Corfe Castle station and I would like to thank everyone for all their hard work – and for the public supporting the event so wonderfully.

“I would also like to thank Celia Harding, who volunteers at the Corfe Castle station museum in the Victorian goods shed, for her help and for being able to use the museum which was an ideal setting for the carol concerts.

“Planning for the Christmas carol trains started on a very hot day in June when musical director Angus Murray Brown, and his wife Jacqui, met my wife Sue and I in our garden in Swanage to formulate plans for the two festive events.

“The sight, and sound, of Freddie Sills playing his Scottish bagpipes as the steam train departed Corfe Castle station after the carol concert was pretty awesome. He’s an excellent piper and certainly added to the atmosphere and poignancy of the evening,” added Bob.

The Swanage Railway welcomes new volunteers and anyone interested in finding out more should email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk while details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.

Story and photograph by Andrew P.M. Wright,

Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.