Open or Closed during Emergency?

NRM Closed:

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM TEMPORARY CLOSURE


To all our supporters,

Our mission is to inspire futures. But right now we need to focus on today and on the health and welfare of our visitors and colleagues as the nation comes together to deal with the threat of coronavirus.

Following discussions with the Government we have decided that from this evening (17 March) and until further notice, we will close all five of our museums in the Science Museum Group to the public.

While our doors will be closed for a while, our incredible collection - and the inspirational stories it contains - remains open to you online. We’ll also put our creativity to use in finding new ways to ignite your curiosity and lift your spirits during some difficult days ahead.

Given the uncertainty we are all facing, we don’t yet know when our museums will reopen. If you have tickets to upcoming events, we’ll be in contact soon.

You can keep in touch with us through our website and social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram).

We can’t wait to welcome back old friends, and ignite the curiosity of many more who haven’t yet had the chance to visit us, when we re-open our museums.

For the time being, stay safe and take care.

Science Museum Group

 

I assume that all the railways that close will be now be able to claim money back from the government event if this is only £25 k

 

I have just had an email informing me that the NRM is now shut until further notice.

 

As is Locomotion Shildon.
Ray.

 

All five NMSI sites have been shut.

 

The trouble is not everyone who's vulnerable can afford to self-isolate.

And yes of course, it would be impractical for everyone to totally self-isolate, but it's all about trade-offs with the risks, and limiting your potential exposure by not attending frivolous events is part of that. The less time you're in contact with other people, the less chance you have of spreading it, so if you do have to go out, make it count, do something useful.

 

Can this be merged with one of the other coronavirus threads please mods, I think we have quite enough already! (reported own post to draw attention)

 

Why would this be the case? Is this a business rates thing? Do heritage railways pay them? (Genuine question, I may have missed something but I don't understand how this would work).

Also, the GCR is currently showing as still running but to a reduced timetable this weekend, and I'm considering visiting if this stays the same on the grounds that there may be almost no-one else there (or on the trains to Loughborough) to potentially infect me (I'd class myself as 'slightly vulnerable', not over 70 but lungs not brilliant). However, I'm thinking there's a very good chance they will end up closing as that seems to be the way it's going. I know 'unnecessary travel is discouraged' but I'm retired and I've got no-one at home to infect and if the trains are empty it might be my last chance to travel for months, with no significant risks involved - or is this a bad idea? Anyhow, I expect by Friday everything will be shut so it's probably a moot point.

 

The HRA doesn't seem to be up to speed on what is happening with its members. They are issuing daily updates and yesterday (16th) said:
".........Thus, while asking people to stay away, there’s no call for businesses to close ... but the impact on business is clear as many people are likely to follow the advice.

However, while we’re aware that some railways are cancelling or postponing events to save upfront costs, virtually all are remaining open*, albeit with some amendments to operating days and timetables, as it is anticipated that there will still be people looking to take time out to relax and enjoy leisure activities."

Today's update (17th) concentrates on the Chancellors financial package given this afternoon but there is no change to yesterday's advice.

* My emphasis.

 

East Lancs Railway are running services this weekend:

http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/...st-lancashire-railway-covid-19-statement.aspx

 

West Somerset shut
https://www.facebook.com/1733535693...1928128/?sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=AyP9ETZFHJLojq3A

 

The NYMR is still planning to start services on the 6th April but this is subject to continued assessment of the situation.
The Middleton Railway has decided to not open in April and review the situation with regard to May at a later date. The 60th anniversary gala in June is to be postponed until later in the year.

 

DSR closing from tomorrow until further notice, except Thursday when they will curiously be running trains - is there anything specific happening that day in the area? Seems a bit odd otherwise. https://www.facebook.com/dartmouthr...906164620356/3008397572537854/?type=3&theater

 

maybe a booking that wants to come and they wish to honour it?

 

I suppose if it was big enough that makes sense.

 

The timetable might shed some light. Few Wednesdays in 2020 have had operating trains.

 

Dean Forest closed until the end of April https://www.facebook.com/deanforestrailway/photos/a.550881498287343/3649694321739363/?type=3&theater

Didcot closed until at least 3 April https://www.facebook.com/DidcotRail...517012308528/3454441551249375/?type=3&theater

Gwili closed until mid April https://www.facebook.com/TheGwiliSt...647525482847/2847061035374807/?type=3&theater

Spa Valley closed until 25 April https://www.facebook.com/SpaValleyRailway/photos/a.302222209920006/1726821384126741/?type=3&theater

South Devon closed until 16 May https://www.facebook.com/southdevon...512629922666/2573876096219646/?type=3&theater

 

I think, given much of the comments on BBC and other news, that May is more realistic than an April date. I appreciate that even those with few staff will, presumably, have to pay them so it is, as most realise here, a time of great uncertainty. Revenue is needed but empty trains are losses not gains.

 

Kirklees will operate this weekend on a reduced timetable and will then be closed for the foreseeable future https://twitter.com/KLRailway/status/1239987759516913665/photo/1

 

Hopefully railways having to pay staff whilst not running any trains might be able to extract some money from the government in due course. The plethora of dates is certainly interesting! Anything in April is extremely unrealistic, folk need to remember that once we've all gone into isolation and cases drop, we can't just then go back to normal, that is the new normal, for quite some time.