SUNDAY'S Santa Special excursions on the Newton Abbot-Heathfield line – the last time it was in regular passenger use was more than half-a-century-ago – were a huge success.

First Great Western's Rebekah Hartley organised the special trains with Network Rail and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership (Citizens' Rail), while local firms sponsored all the superb goodie bags for the children and tea, coffee and mulled wine for mums and dads.