Covid comeback - how are passenger numbers

First day of steam today at Llangollen. The three return trips were full, and tomorrow is the same. What a relief !

Bob.

 

Positive noises from the NVR after their first weekend of Thomas shuttles. Hopefully more of the same when full line services resume on the 15th.

 

We travelled on the Ffestiniog on Saturday, our train (14:10) off Porthmadog was pretty much full, the booking office lady said loadings had been good all week. As members we are currently only accommodated where there is capacity, we were offered a choice of either the first or last trains on Saturday.

We also called by the Welsh Highland Heritage railway where the cafe was doing good business and 'getting busier each day we are open'. The shop (the best train shop in around in my opinion!) was also open. There didn't appear to be any plans to run trains here just yet.

We then travelled on the SVR on Tuesday. As a rough estimate the first departure off Kidderminster looked full, ours (10:45) looked about 85% full, the Bridgnorth departure looked more lightly loaded, around 50%. Staff said overall bookings had been good.

Incidentally I can't commend either railway enough for going out of their way to ensure passengers felt safe and welcomed. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and acting responsibly, although mask wearing on platforms was patchy. Clearly a lot of thought and planning had taken place and was paying off.

It was just nice to be behind a steam train again, even if the experience was a little different. The Ffestiniog is excellent and well worth a visit just to experience the old kit, with a loco from 1863 and the carriage 1894! On both railways it was good to have your own 'private' compartment. The Severn Valley offering is a full day out with nearly 50 miles of haulage on the 'Explorer', pretty good value if you can get a group together, especially at member rate.

Please support your local Heritage Railway, they really need it.

 

Ravenglass has been fairly busy most days

 

EOR had 'enough passengers to cover costs with a small profit' from their first weekend using the DMU. About 70 passengers each day. Steam planned for later in August subject to training and completion of repairs to Isabel (Hall too costly to use at the moment.)

 

The Paignton - Dartmouth line is running extra trains for Mon-Thurs, less on Fri-Sun.
I expect, given how the South West seems to be bulging at the seams with tourists, they are very busy as it is the best way to reach Dartmouth from Torbay.
Me? Still staying home, where it is quieter. Late summer is a better time for locals.

 

That part of Devon was noticeably busier than normal during July, especially on the beaches. At Dartmouth there were certainly plenty coming across from Kingswear on the Ferry so the railway company must have been doing relatively good business. They'll be losing out on the river Dart cruises though, as most were not operating, certainly not up to Totnes.

 

There is a one hour river cruise from Dartmouth to Greenway and back, presumably the Totnes boats are needed for those trips to maintain social distancing. Two vessels are operating the Western Lady Ferry Service Torquay - Brixham.