Recommissioning after Coronavirus

Didcot started running steam services today with 2999 and a two coach set of Edwardian vehicles.

It was a lovely day out and was well run. Locomotives had been thoughtfully positioned around the site too.

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7202 looks, from that angle at least, a lot more complete than I thought it was! Any ideas what's still to be done on her?

 

Got to say it's a little sad that after such a well executed promotional video by a railway doing everything they can to open in a safe way that your above observation was the only one you felt able to post. But I'm sure the Bluebell will welcome your sponsorship to re-upholster that vehicle with open arms.

Mike

 

7202 I am not sure as the shed had the doors open but understandably there was a barrier. I presume that the volunteers were on their lunch as I didn't see anyone in that area. The heavy freight group used to have an unofficial website but it hasn't been updated for a few years. After so long without a 72xx I think 7200 at Quainton isn't too far away so they will probably be back in traffic together!

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well, I just thought that there are almost certainly much nicer carriage interiors to show off............

 

From The Mid Suffolk Light Railway

https://www.mslr.org.uk/news/middy-to-remain-closed-until-further-notice/

The Middy will still be here once the crisis has passed.

 

The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway will begin running trains this Saturday. The extensive preparations include running ghost trains for practice over the last two weekends; we invited "mystery shoppers" to test the product, and that went reasonably well. The booking office at Wirksworth is closed and all tickets must be booked on line in advance: that includes booking by smartphone from the car park at Wirksworth, where all journeys must start and end.

 

Those lines that have re-opened and are back in business with trains running, opposed to just on station facilities, will obviously benefit from much needed income - hopefully keeping the wolf from the door. I do expect more appeals, for survivals, in 2021 and I have the feeling that permanent closures might occur if a second wave occurs nationally. There has been a great public generosity for all types of heritage sites and hopefully that would continue. The main concern that I see is the coming winter.
Suggestions to be open by some lines to operate the usual lucrative period either side of Christmas will, hopefully, be possible but another lockdown - even if less restricting - could cause major financial problems for heritage.
Moreover much maintenance is done on heritage sites during their winter closures, though certain lines have appear to have a back log of maintenance on track which, if a resurgence and form of lockdown - if not as severe as the recent one - transpires could make things quite critical.
The caution, which I am sure some lines may be aware of is that Covid-19 thrives well, it seems, in colder weather. There is a worrying re-resurgences of Covid-19 in SE Australia, for instance, with a return to closures of some businesses. It is almost mid winter there as we all know.
A mild winter might be something to hope for.

 

I do wish the video were not so corny!

 

This has now changed and the below has been put onto the Facebook page.

"We are thrilled to announce that we are planning to open our doors at the Middy to the public once again over the August Bank Holiday weekend 30th and 31st August for our planned Modelmainia Event from 11am each day.
To keep to Covid guidlines it will be nessesary to book tickets online at MSLR.org.uk so if you would like to visit please look on the website for details. Tickets should be avalable later in this week but if not keep looking as one of the many jobs to do is get the ticketing system up and running.
Additionally we are in the planning stages to run Santa Specials in December and also our ever popular New Years Day steaming and full details will be available soon. Again keep an eye on the website for details.
Of course everything is dependent on the Government guidelines at the time and everything is subject to change.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Middy."

 

There is a good video on the Ffestiniog's YouTube channel about reopening things they want volunteers to do.

Maybe others might want to chip in with how other lines are managing it.

 

Having now been on KESR and SVR as a family + dog my observation is that there are a lot of excited people going on train rides desperate for something to do as a family, so there seems to be an opportunity to reach new customers as people have less choice where to go for a family outing. In both cases the staff and volunteers seemed really happy (almost excited) to be back. SVR seem to have a particularly good model with their compartment for a day, means you can leave stuff on the train if you wish. Their itinerary also brilliant to give time to get off and look around, (we went from Bridgnorth and stopped at Kiddiminster, Bewdley and Highly). It would seem if you can run then people want a day out just to get out maybe, and they seem prepared to spend money in the shop etc. Maybe there is a case for HLF and anyone providing support cash to encourage some sort of running with perhaps and incentive to help with costs such as PPE, COVID safety case etc ?

There is a definite benefit to those with compartment stock but KESR open carriage seemed pretty well booked up also.

 

I suspect the big test will come next week with some schools re-opening. Those lines that have been open for a couple of months will have made hay while the sun shone, the more recent opening less so.

 

You will no doubt pleased to learn that the HLF has been providing support in connection with start up and some other costs.

 

Given the upsurge in Covid-19 infections in the North West, North East, West and East Midlands plus South Wales, I wonder how many lines whose principal clientele live in those areas, are reflecting on their future planning. We have not yet arrived in Autumn so how this will all pan out as winter approaches must be of concern to lines with ambitious plans for next month and around Christmas and New Year.

 

There's talk of a national lockdown back end of October.

 

So, it seems pretty hard to see how any railway planning to do so can run trains in November. What about turning up for volunteering though? Any thoughts?

 

I certainly shan't be turning up for volunteering, Alex, but since I am Station Staff I won't be needed anyway.

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I'll turn up as long as I'm allowed to! Very glad I've got a TTI turn in tomorrow afternoon though, that could be it for some time now.

 

Last train for a while, I would guess. Must put the Santas in doubt too.

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