Open or Closed during Emergency?

Ken - it was sent in a email to all operational staff. Cancellation of the gala is posted on facebook.

Regards,
Stephen

 

Operational volunteers just been informed. I wouldn't have said anything until an official announcement, but it's all over FaceBook so there seemed little point in waiting.

 

Thanks. I was looking for a Volunteer announcement. If it only effects 'Operational Staff' then the Spanner Monkeys, Wood butchers, etc, can turn up as usual.

Along with their various 'Mobility Aids'

Only joking.

 

The University Boat Race has been cancelled. Is this the end of civilisation as we know it?

 

A lot of people will take some getting used to the "wartime" like requirements. If the government advice is not adhered to in practice, they will enforce it - as happened at the weekend when the Irish government had to mandate the closure of the pubs. Social distancing means our lives will not be social.

 

With the latest announcements/advice even if railways choose to operate & have the volunteers they may not have many paying customers.

Coronavirus is not going to go away in a hurry and if any railway is not planning for a reduction in income of at least 40% (exceeding Santa/Christmas specials) in my opinion they are foolish as I doubt this will be covered by insurance. If I was running a heritage attraction I would be planning on very little income, if any, until July at best since Boris Johnson has said that those over 70 will soon need to be “largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks. In reality it is probably going to be longer than that and even when we start getting back to normality a lack of public confidence may see numbers slow to pick up.

It is going to be very hard for some/many railways without outside financial support. Not good at all.

 

DFR now closed until end April, according to Facebook. I suspect by this time tomorrow there will be few if any railways operating.

regards

Matt

 

There's one thread on NP that should keep everyone entertained - open or closed.

 

For the spectators - the amount of alcohol they consume should kill off almost anything...
For the rowers - They are paddling in the dirty old Thames in London and they are only worried about catching a flu like virus?

 

Dresden cancelled this morning:-
Due to the current development in relation to the corona virus "SARS-CoV-2", the 12th Dresden steam locomotive meeting had to be canceled completely. This also applies to the special events "Night Photo Parade" and "Dampf & Dixie" as well as all planned special trips as part of the steam locomotive meeting. We regret this very much, but we also have no other choice in the interests of your health.

All public events are currently prohibited by official order at least until April 19, 2020. That is why our railway museum is closed until further notice.

Information on the reimbursement of tickets and tickets purchased in advance:

• For all tickets that have been booked through a travel agency or tour operator, the travel agency or tour operator with whom you booked is responsible . Please contact there.
  
• All tickets that were purchased in advance at the ticket office of the Dresden Transport Museum can only be refunded there. Please inquire beforehand when the traffic museum will be open again.
• All users of the web shops on our website, are we informed in the coming days about the details of the refund. If you still have any questions, please write to <<< order (at) igbwdresdenaltstadt.de >>> .

We hope that you stay healthy and that we can welcome you to the Dresden Railway Museum again next year for the 13th Dresden Steam Locomotive Meeting (from April 9th to April 11th, 2021) .

 

Hopefully railways will appeal for funds to survive this. Maybe the money we cant spend as we are on lock down we can donate :/

 

It would be nice perhaps if those who had bought advance tickets felt able to not have to ask for a refund for example, if they can afford it.

 

Or at least not be rude and abusive to the railway ‘s office staff when they’ve been called to be advised of the updated situation. Yes it has happened.

 

Although for many the risk is low, the chance of carriers and tourists passing on the corona virus to vunerable people is high.
Also events need trained medical staff in attendance, for spectators as well as participants, which potentially takes away trained medical staff from front line work.

 

Gwili closed for the time being

https://m.facebook.com/TheGwiliSteamRailway/
Regards

Matt

 

I full agree with this statement.
The next 3-6 months in my estimation is likely to show us the best and sadly, the worst in people. I'm seeing online today how some of our most embarrassing citizens are behaving whilst in Spain on holiday, ignoring the calls for restraint and containment. I somehow guess these are some of the same citizens that desperately wanted out of Europe which I find somewhat ironic.
There will be many out there like myself who don't have mortgages or employment and pulling in the drawbridge to save every penny spent on bookings is certainly not my priority like it might need to be for some. Businesses will go to the wall and people will face hardship so those who relish the British bulldog spirit will need to support and underpin in whatever ways they can. That means not taking all the toilet rolls for themselves btw!

 

From The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust:


"Coved-19 Corona Virus - Update

Following the guidance issued by the government yesterday evening restricting non essential travel, we are taking the responsible decision to postpone ‘The Fen and Fells Flyer’ that was due to run on 4th April. All passengers are being contacted directly.
We understand that this will be a disappointment to many, but it is the only decision available to us at this time and we will seek to reschedule the train to the second half of the year.
No other trains are currently affected but we are keeping matters under review and will advise of any changes beyond April in due course. Should you have a query, please send an email in the first instance as our phone lines are likely to be busy.
As a small charity we hope that you can continue to support us during this time and travel with us when the restrictions are lifted."

 

I've seen a post on another forum that volunteers answering the phones at Chinnor have received threats of violence following the postponement of their diesel gala.

 

Today's update sees a whole host of further cancellations & postponements:
Gift shop & Emporium closed UFN.
21/22 March Mountsorrel running cancelled *
28/29 March Goods Galore postponed *
10-13 April Easter Vintage Festival cancelled *
14-16 April Easter Animal Fun cancelled *
25 April Bus Rally postponed *
8 May VE Day postponed
19-21 June Model Event cancelled *

* are noted as having 'main line' or 'normal' train service still running, but you have to wonder how long that will survive in the current climate.

There are a couple of events still nominally happening:
26 April Mountsorrel running
2-3 May Diesel Gala
5-7 June Wartime Weekend
4-5 July Steam Punk

I guess we'll see about these too.

http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/coronavirus/