The newly arrived "King George V" and "City of Truro" will be the focus of a weekend wonderland of Christmas festivities at STEAM when Christmas arrives at the museum of the Great Western Railway.
 
Live choir music will echo throughout the halls of STEAM over the course of the weekend for the museum's Christmas event, which will be staged between 10:00 and 17:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.
 
Visitors will be able to see the newly arrived "King George V" and "City of Truro" as they enjoy live choir performances in STEAM's spacious Great Western Hall as well as browsing more than 40 luxury Christmas market stalls.
 
Among the mostly hand-crafted fine gifts on sale will be jewellery, art, toys, skincare, home furnishings, preserves, and confectionery.
 
The two legendary locomotives are on loan from the National Railway Museum in York, in preparation for the town's Swindon 175 celebration in 2016, marking 175 years since Swindon became a railway town.
 
Santa will be making an appearance too.
 
In a cosy fireside setting inside Hawksworth Hall, children will hear delightful festive tales at Santa's story time sessions, before receiving a quality wrapped gift.
 
Musical performances will include Pegasus Brass, Swindon School of Brass, Kentwood Male Voice, Kentwood, and Thamesdown Ladies Choirs.
 
Carolyn Lovett, events manager at STEAM, said, "We're very pleased to be offering so many Christmas experiences all in one day for our visitors. To have these superb live performances, plus access to STEAM's permanent story telling displays and famous locomotives, included in the discounted ticket price is simply amazing value for money. Visitors of all ages will be able to take a seat in our Great Western Hall as they relax and listen to our wonderful selection of choir and traditional performers. Santa's story time will be running throughout both days and these sessions need to be booked at STEAM reception for an extra charge of £5. We're limiting the places to ensure children receive a quality Santa experience."
 
The museum is offering cheerful entry prices to Christmas at STEAM and this includes access to the main exhibition area.
 
Tickets cost £3 for one adult or two adults for £5, while children's tickets for those aged between three and 15 can visit for £1.
 
Under threes go free.
 
Tickets can be purchased on the day.
 
Santa's story time sessions run throughout the weekend between 10:15 and 16:00, the first two sessions for both days can be booked in advance.
 
They will be held from 10:15 until 10:45 and 11:00 until 11:30.
 
To book a place call STEAM at 01793 466637.
 
Live Entertainment Programme
 
Saturday
 
11:30 until 12:30 - Kentwood Show Choir.
 
13:00 until 14:00 - Swindon Male Voice Choir.
 
14:30 until 15:30 - Swindon School of Brass.
 
Sunday
 
11:00 until 12:15 - Thamesdown Ladies Choir.
 
12:30 until 14:30 - Swindon Pegasus Brass.
 
Author unknown.