SVR General Discussion

Services for the rest of March suspended due to the ongoing COVID19 situation
https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=920

 

Spring Diesel Festival in May cancelled (SVR Diesels Facebook)

Patrick

 

Just received an email from the SVR advising that the spring steam gala has been cancelled.

 

"Due to the changing situation and Government advice surrounding gatherings, it is with regret we feel it is both necessary and sensible to postpone our train services and close The Engine House and our Refreshment Rooms for the rest of March and throughout April.

We have also taken the difficult decision to cancel the following events: Easter Holidays, Spring Steam Gala, Open House Weekend, Spring Diesel Festival and our 50th Anniversary Event. A decision on our daily services in May will be made in the coming weeks."

Patrick

 

The SVR has launched an emergency donation fund

https://svrtrust.org.uk/emergency

Please give generously

 

One of my favourite railways so I have made a donation

 

"Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to our emergency appeal. So far, we have raised a massive £50,000, but every additional £ helps secure our future.
Please continue to dig deep and help save your Railway. Thank you."

 

The appeal has been updated, see https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=921

"..we need to find £250,000 to keep the Railway ticking over for the next three months."

Note the donation url https://svr.digitickets.co.uk/category/27224

"Hundreds of people have already donated, and if you are one of these, please accept [my] deepest thanks."

Patrick

 

The April 2020 editions of the SVR's Express Points and Branch Lines newsletters are available to read online https://www.svrlive.com/newsletters.

Lots of news and reminders of how people can support the railway, plus the total funds raised for the appeal (as it today).

Hope you enjoy them, and do support the SVR if you can.

Thanks

Patrick

 

With your help, we have raised £100,000 so far, but we still need more. Over 1,800 people have already donated, and if you are one of these, please accept our deepest thanks. Details of how to donate and buy shares are below, and every pound will count towards saving the SVR.

The full item is at https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=921

As it says, there are several options for supporting the railway in this matter - donations, and purchase of shares and of Loyalty Passes. So please see if you can help!

Thank

Patrick

 

With your help, we have raised £120,000 towards the £250,000 target. Details of how to donate and buy shares are on the previous link.

Thank you

Patrick

 

Good luck to the SVR and I think they are in a good position to raise the funds they require to cover the lack of income. They have shown over the years they have the profile to raise substantial funds as have other "big names" of the heritage railways.

The ones I feel really sorry for, I fell sympathy for the whole industry, are those who have a lower profile and whilst they may require a much lower level of funds they are probably in a far worse position to attract.

 

There's a YouTube premiere tomorrow (4th April) at 1230 of SVR Driver's Eye View on GWR 4566 at .

It will be streamed 'live' at the same time on the Official Facebook page as a 'Watch Party' hosted by the SVR marketing team, during which anyone can add comments.

Any donations to the SVR appeal please

Patrick

 

The SVR website has been changed to say no trains in April or May.

Patrick

 

I can't say that I'm surprised, unfortunately - I don't think that any heritage railway is going to be able to run trains in May at this rate.

 

I would have thought any business would be anticipating minimum to zero income this year

 

I'd be surprised if any were in position to operate this summer.

 

Now announced that there will be no service in June and the 40s weekends are fully cancelled (as the second weekend is in July).
Sadly predictable.

 

Emergency Appeal now stands at £416,193
https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=921

 

I have read that the sum off over 4 million mentioned is a huge amount off money this includes all the capital works the railway was going to carry out next winter.