Coronavirus, galas and your attendance

I think galas will be significantly affected; to a greater extent than normal operating days might be, as my feeling is that galas are likely to attract a higher proportion of older folk; the very ones most at risk, and even if those enthusiasts are prepared to take a risk with their own health, they may be concerned about passing it on to vulnerable partners.

I fear for the future because if galas go ahead they may well lose money, and if they cancel they will not make much needed money. Either scenario could tip the balance for some lines, as it seems several are on a knife edge.

And what happens to planned loco moves? Owners will lose much needed money, or possibly, depending on individual contracts, railways will have to pay for locos they can't use?

Hard to see any good outcomes, and all this assumes events won't be banned soon anyway.

 

They just have been: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/uk-to-ban-mass-gatherings-in-coronavirus-u-turn

 

The virus is bound to have a huge impact on preserved railways and main line charters. Let's hope that the impact of the virus is not too prolonged and normal service returns as soon as possible. <BJ>

 

O no they haven't. According to the BBC the government is working with scientists and medical advisers to draw up plans to stop various types of public events so until an official announcement is made, we won't know if steam galas are included or not. Heritage railways may decide to act unilaterally of course.

 

The problem is that if an event such as a steam gala is allowed to proceed, will the public question if the visit is sensible.

With a gala costing the organisers a small fortune will the railway question if the event is likely to be viable? With a small drop in attendances, it could turn a small profit into a loss. <BJ>

 

I think it is fair to say given decisions already made in sport and elsewhere that in the perceived absence of concise and timely official announcement from government, companies and charities will get there first and make those difficult decisions for themselves given what they see happening elsewhere across the world.

 

I think it's a game of chicken. Hopefully a lot of Gala organisers will have insurance for unforeseen events. If the Government bans gatherings, they can claim. If they decide to cancel themselves, I doubt thy can claim. Hence I image a lot don't want to run, but are hoping the Government will pull the plug centrally. Individual events will wait as long as possible, and decide at the last minute.

Being cynical, maybe this is why the advice has been slow coming from Government!

 

The suggestion is that large gatherings are banned to reduce demand on The Police, not primarily stop virus transmission.

I gather that Heritage Railway events are not as demanding as a Millwall Away Match

 

Scotland meant to be putting a limit on 500+ events? If that is put in England/UK wide, bigger railways who attract more than that for galas days surely wouldn't hold them.

 

Depends how you define a 500+ event - 500 people strewn across 10 miles or so of railway is a totally different kettle of fish compared to 500 people all crammed into a concert hall for example. Also worth pointing out that many of the bigger railways attract over 500 visitors day in day out, just with normal services.

 

Not many railways, if any, get 500 a day in March or April.

Yes it's not a confined space, but also stations become busy, hubs of activity. Toilet facilities are bursting to the brim. Trains, people touching the same door handles.

And this is just now, if the situation gets worse, then only shops would be allowed to open. Any leisure places would close - such as Disneyland Paris now.

 

The NNR haven't really cancelled their event, they've just removed the guest locos, to ensure they don't make a loss no doubt.

 

A friend who works for Network Rail has received instructions that, if an employee falls ill with Covid-19 symptoms, they are to go home without using public transport. I have also read of multiple examples of railway facilities (cabs, mess rooms, etc) requiring deep cleaning following reported potential exposure.

The call, in current circumstances, to remain open will become progressively braver, normally or at galas, as operators consider the implications of making their facilities “safe” following contact with a carrier.

That is irrespective of whether government imposes restrictions.


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GWSR was just under 500 per day in April last year on average, the year before it was 560 per day (with Broadway opening). So I presume lines which attract higher annual figures than us (125,000 last year) will be over that 500 figure. I agree, if we get to the point that everything but essentials shut down, then clearly heritage railways are not essential, but there is a span of things you close first, and I don't think heritage railways are quite in the same bracket as the sort of mass gatherings folk have in mind, although probably only the next rung down.

 

I posed myself the question as to whether a packed train from London to Edinburgh of Glasgow would constitute a breach given that ticket checking and refreshment trollies will visit all those on board as well as the potential effects of airborne disease transmission via the onboard AC?

 

Judging by what I observed yesterday, getting a packed train is something the operators might like to achieve!


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I quite imagine. People make their own minds up means that more formal decisions aren't necessary.
I have return advanced tickets for a week in Edinburgh at the end of the month but can't see myself travelling given every likelihood that even if the trains are still running, everywhere else will be understandably and rightly imo, shut.