■ Vintage Trains cancels its 2020 main line tour programme

VINTAGE Trains( VT) has taken the decision to opt out of its main line tour programme for this year- including the UK's only main line 'Polar Express' trips in December.

The move follows VT's review of the Government's in structions to 'stay at home; while it assess the possibilities of further easing of lockdown restrictions regarding travel by bus and rail.

VT spokesman Denis Chick said:" The Government is actively discouraging travel by road and rail and it is now clear that social distancing will be maintained in one form or another over an extended period. Its enforcement regarding train staffing, managing passenger movements and the crewing of locomotive footplates will continue to present insurmountable problems.

"While there is social distancing, very few will want to travel by train until a vaccine is available. For those who have booked seats on trains we have advertised, we apologise that we will not now be able to offer these trips.

"We have no choice legally, morally or commercially. We are not offering to postpone or rebook any trains at this time. We are therefore writing to our customers and offering three choices: a full refund; a credit note valid for 12 months; or to donate the train fare to VintageTrains Charitable Trust towards the refurbishment of carriages'.'

Donations can also be made online at www.pullmanclub.co.uk

Denis said the company needs to fill 85% seating capacity to cover costs before hoping to make a viable profit. "Multi- millionairesm ight be ablet o run half empty trains, but not Vintage Trains. We would rather come back stronger when the time is right:'

As it is, work on GWR 4- 6- 0 No. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and the overhaul of the Pullman carriages is taking priority and is the reason for the need to raise money.

However, you can still enjoy the thrills of Vintage Trains main line action by logging on to the company's Facebook or Twitter pages for a virtual open day on June 27 ( see pages 14/ 15).

Other operators

Meanwhile, at least two railtour promoters favour August as an anticipated restarting date.

Pathfinder Tours has chosen August 15 for a possible resumption of activities with a multi- powered almost forgotten lines tour its 'Blue Boys Merrymixer' trip.

Using DRS locomotives - five different types - during a tour of the northern Midlands, the train is scheduled to depart Eastleigh, calling at most stations between Basingstoke, Reading West and Didcot then onwards via Banbury and Leamington Spa to final pick- ups at Birmingham's International and New Street.

A day later, on August 14, Steam Dreams ( SD) is scheduled to join in the celebrations for a Mayflower 400 event at Southampton.

Departing from London Victoria, the train calls at Egham and Woking, before heading for Southampton docks and a range of nautical attractions.

An afternoon tour of the Hampshire countryside is also on offer, rounded off with a champagne tea. Motive power is expected to be No. 61306 Mayflower.

Should the situation be favourable, the planned SD Windsor trains and evening diners will run on Tuesdays and Saturdays during August and the first week of September. SD chairman David Buck said:'' We shall continue to monitor developments as they arise and act accordingly. When social distancing eases, we will be ready to run'.'

While waiting for a relaxation of present restrictions, the King's Lynn- based Railway Touring Company( RTCis) offering a telephone enquiry service between 1O am and 2pm, Mondays to Fridays. Operations manager Rachel Jacksons said that RTC is now looking at its 2021 tours programme.

West Coast Railways' Carnforth base is essentially in lockdown, but it is hoped that~ Jacobite' trains , for which tickets are already on sale, will be able to run when permitted.

Scottish Railway Preservation Society chairman Stephen Humphreys said all events have been cancelled until the end of the season, including 'Forth Circle' trips taking advantage of visiting engines.

In August, the society's management committee will assests he possibility of operating services from Bo'ness in the final quarter of the year, and in September it will discuss the viability of running Santa trains.

Postponements

On May26, Saphos Trains posted notice of trip cancellations and postponements as follows:

Toe Fellsmari, booked for May 27, has been postponed until September 2; the ' Welsh Marches Express' has been moved from June 6 to November 21; June 13's Toe Lakelander' has been moved to August 15;' The Fellsman' of June2 4 is rescheduled for August2 6; the 'Great Western Envoy' of June 27 has been redated for December 12; and the June 21' Pennine Peaks & Valley Explorer' has been cancelled outright.

Followingt he death of John Farrow(, HR Issue2 67), operations at hisc ompany, U K Railtours( UKRTa), recurrently on hold. John's daughter Elizabeths aid UKRT will be back in business as soon as it is practical.

At the time of writing, The A 1 Steam Locomotive Trust is advertising its Darlington to Edinburgh and Stirling Toe Queen of Scots' for September 12 and its Edinburgh- Aberdeen

The Aberdonian for September 3 and 10. No. 60163 Tornado due to haul the trains.