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Open or Closed during Emergency?

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwilialan, Mar 13, 2020.

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  1. MattA

    MattA Member

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    The Churnet Valley have suspended all services from next week until at least 8th May.

    The following was hidden away as a footnote in the same social media post that announced that they'd been awarded £1,427,906.83 for the project to ‘Re-connect Leek’ to the rail network;

    "The announcement comes just as the Churnet Valley Railway should be gearing up for the main operating season of 2020. Unfortunately given the current COVID 19 Crisis we are suspending all services as of the 23rd March 2020. We are scheduled to reopen on the 8th May 2020 however this is subject to review. Please check the website and social media for the latest updates."
     
  2. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    if only this virus was more selective :-(
     
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  3. MattA

    MattA Member

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    SVR have suspended all services.

    "Due to the changing situation regarding COVID-19 and Government advice surrounding gatherings, it is with regret we feel it is both necessary and sensible to postpone our train services for the rest of this month. Customers who have purchased tickets or experience packages for March 21, 22, 28 or 29 are being contacted individually by phone today.

    An announcement regarding our train services, experience packages and special events in April will be made in the next couple of days.

    This is going to be a challenging time for all heritage railways as we rely on footfall to keep us running. Your understanding, patience and co-operation is appreciated and we thank you all in advance for your ongoing support."
     
  4. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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  5. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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  6. MattA

    MattA Member

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    They're dropping like flies, now...
     
  7. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    That's better than having people dropping like flies.
     
  8. MattA

    MattA Member

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    True, undoubtedly so. I merely wished to convey my observations that more and more railways are taking that option even if, in hindsight, my initial wording seemed less than kind.
     
  9. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    I am well aware of the seriousness of the situation. It was meant to be lighthearted comment in amongst all the doom and gloom. Obviously not enough similes attached.
     
  10. toplight

    toplight Well-Known Member

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    The SCR I am sure like lots of railways is stopping services as much as anything due to the potential loss of money. No point paying to run trains that are then empty running at a loss. I am sure we can expect pretty much all events at steam railways to stop for a month or two. At the moment they are still allowing volunteers to work there but that is their call if they want to do so.

    Railways should treat it as a further period to catch up with maintenance.

    It feels really surreal times, nothing looks different but everyone worried about an unseen enemy. I am lucky I can work from home 2 days a week even in normal times so I think it won't be long before we are told to do so full time.
     
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  11. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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  12. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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  13. jmh59

    jmh59 New Member

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    I do find it a concern that there are a number of heritage railway websites that make no mention at all of the virus, how to be careful, and whether or not they are running (or even a 'watch this space'). Equally, some (I've not checked many) have news items for past events and others are still emailing out future events as if nothing is going on.
     
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  14. Wenlock

    Wenlock Well-Known Member Friend

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  15. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway have postponed The Cotswold Festival of Steam originally scheduled for 23rd to 25th May.
     
  16. Roger Thompson

    Roger Thompson Member

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    GWSR have also cancelled all trains "until further notice".

    Sent from my SM-T590 using Tapatalk
     
  17. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    That's what I though. But my wife thinks my time would be better spent clearing out the spare room. Or the shed. Or the garage. Or the loft...
     
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  18. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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  19. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

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    Llangollen - all services suspended until end of April.

    Bob.
     
  20. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    F&WHR still intending to run trains this week. From their website:

    March 17th - 12.10pm

    We intend to run our trains this Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - with Mother's Day Cream Teas / Afternoon Teas also taking place - as publicised.

    Plans beyond this point will be discussed at the start of next week. Any changes required in the light of developments will be posted as soon as possible after the meeting.

    Our cafés and shops currently remain open for business as usual. We will update our website / social media promptly should the situation change.

    Our staff have been briefed about taking necessary precautions. We have extra soap and hand cleanser in place, and are taking extra care with our train cleaning as per guidance to mitigate risk as much as possible, and are following government advice as published.

    Our trains are expected to be lightly loaded and we will limit the numbers on each train for your comfort.
     
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