Recommissioning after Coronavirus

The SVR have stated they're welcoming tier three passengers onto their Festive services, interesting !

 

I am sure they will have had some advice but in Tier 2 you should only travel to Tier 3 for work. Are they going to check peoples domicile on arrival or cancel bookings from those outside a Tier 3 area?
Tier 3 movement, or journeys from one Tier 3 area to another are less clear on the .gov website other than the usual avoid unnecessary journeys.

 

Find it rather odd that during this lockdown there are reports of some railways doing crew training , crew refreshing etc trains.

 

Why? There's nothing in the rules preventing it.

 

Funny how Cornwall is Tier 1 yet both the Bodmin and Helston lines remain closed. Maybe that cautious approach is what has kept Cornwall's infection rate low.

 

News from the Avon Valley Railway. <BJ>

''As you may be aware, as we approach the end of the second national lockdown, there are now further restrictions in place and we have been placed into Tier 3. But, the good news is that Santa will still be visiting the railway and you can come and meet him!
Unfortunately, if you’re booked for trains on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th & 13th you wont be able to ride on the train as these are classed as ‘indoor spaces’. This is a real shame as all our volunteers were so looking forward to welcoming you aboard. But, we did warn you that this might happen when you bought your tickets and said we wouldn’t be able to offer refunds in these circumstances. Trains on later dates may be able to run following the Government’s fortnightly review of restrictions and we’ll be in contact again once we know more''.
Santa Special - Avon Valley Railway

Update: Good news from the Mid-Hants Railway:

''FOLLOWING THE MOST RECENT GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO CONFIRM THAT OUR FATHER CHRISTMAS AND STEAM ILLUMINATIONS EVENTS CAN TAKE PLACE AS PLANNED. WE WILL START DISPATCHING TICKETS BY E-MAIL, IN BATCHES ACCORDING TO THE EVENT DATE, AS SOON AS WE CAN''.

 

Well the IOW similarly is in Tier 1 and, like Cornwall, had a brisk season once lockdown was lifted. However, whilst the two Cornish lines remained tight shut, the IOWSR was running services and with two train sets out on many days. Due social distancing measures taken of course.

 

Is that even legal, notwithstanding the mention of a pre-warning?

 

As I read it, it's not been cancelled, just heavily modified. The "event" is seeing Santa at the AVR, and the T+Cs say this may or may not be via a train ride I imagine.
It doesn't feel very morally right though. Certainly if I were a volunteer there I wouldn't be comfortable defending it.

 

Having checked that the AVR have used those actual words, all I can say is that their PR is on a par with, or even worse than, the WSR.

 

both lines have had culture fund grants so they may be taking the view of pressing on with projects/maintenance ahead of full opening next year?

 

Looking up something else, I happened to notice a news item on the HRA website that said, as of mid-October, 113 of their members were open, or 63%. I think that was just before the current lockdown was announced, but represents those that opened for at least some point over the summer / early autumn.

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=...7D!73492&parId=CCC5EFD7FA87BC7D!67902&o=OneUp

Tom

 

I just tried to upload a link to the KESR announcement on Facebook of the cancellation of all Santa services. But I couldn't load a 'clean' link.

 

From the K&ESR website:

''Following today’s announcement that Kent and Medway are being placed in COVID Tier 3, we have carefully considered our ability to operate Santa Specials and Wealden Pullman services this December.

Our overriding priority is always the safety of our customers and colleagues.

It is with great sadness that we confirm our entire Santa Special 2020 season and all Wealden Pullman services during December have now been cancelled – an extremely difficult and emotional decision.

All customers due to visit us during December are being contacted and we are making plans to help convey a positive message to children who were so looking forward to meeting Santa with us.

We will continue to monitor the government guidelines and will be reviewing what might be possible to offer post-Christmas.

We wish to thank everyone for the tremendous support they have shown. It has been an incredibly hard time adapting our beloved Santa Specials for these extraordinarily challenging times. Whilst ultimately it has proved impossible to continue, we remain proud of the efforts our dedicated volunteers have made to continue with, in our 46th season, the tradition of K&ESR Santa Specials.

Thank you to each and every person who is keeping our charity steaming on for the future''.

Quite a contrast to the message given by the Avon Valley Railway:
''But, we did warn you that this might happen when you bought your tickets and said we wouldn’t be able to offer refunds in these circumstances''. <BJ>

 

Amazed by the wording used by the AVR. If I had booked with them then reading that would put me off from going there in the future.

Sent from my SM-G770F using Tapatalk

 

That is the problem with a lot of the "rules" that have been brought out, some are advisory and some are compulsory and it is hard to know which are which. I believe it is only advisory not to travel from Tier 3 to Tier 2 or 1 so strictly the railways that say they are welcoming everybody may be strictly correct. Reputationally though I am not sure what it does for the heritage railway industry with the Government etc when they are trying to restrict travel to control the virus.

One of the other issues is that some railways, and I think the SVR may be one, where the rules have changed pre and post lockdown. Pre lockdown it was, I think the rule of 6 so you could have members of different families travelling together as long as it was a maximum of 6. Now there is no household mixing. It might be that a fair few have booked with a compartment etc with other friends or families but now they cannot visit as a group.

I understand the railways want the income but in the current circumstances I think it us reasonable, and good PR, that railways do allow cancellations. Whilst not doing might get a bit of cash but deter those passengers from visiting in the future.

 

Ditto. I too would be in two minds and be leaning towards a negative view. By all means say "We may have to cancel. But will offer an alternate date or refund......" Or suggest if you're unable to take up the offer of another date, would you be willing to donate your fare in lieu of a refund, in order to keep the railway afloat.

 

I didn't even think that was possible, but obviously and quite amazingly, it is.........!

 

Why is it I’ve a feeling this forum will be to blame when the backlash occurs? Still, they like to do things differently down there.

 

I'm not booking with anyone at present, but this is seriously offputting for any visit I might make in future. Railtour promoters tend to have wording disclaiming responsibility for changes between what's advertised and what eventuates, but with them one does have the option of cancelling and getting at least a partial refund unless the change is at the last minute. The AVR should offer the same.