Quorn revels as Great Central reopens
A MINI-carnival atmosphere greeted passengers who turned up for the first Great Central Railway trains following the Government’s easing of the pandemic lockdown.
A late addition to the proceedings was an invitation to the Great Central Railway Vintage Vehicle Club to stage a display at Quorn & Woodhouse station, from where, on July 25, passengers had to board and disembark.
The club staged a display of traction engines big and small, along with a row of classic cars. Also adding to the vibrant atmosphere at the station were, on static display, LMS‘ Black Five’ 4- 6- 0
No. 45305 Alderman AE Draper in light steam and Class 37 No. 37714 Cardiff Canton.
The station car park was full, while the Butler Henderson cafe with its outdoor tables was busy and the nearby Tin Shed Bar was also open.
The first day back saw all four return passenger trains hauled by BR Standard 9F No. 92214 Leicester
City. Although the six- coach trains ran the entire length of the line, they operated as empty coaching stock north of Quorn & Woodhouse.
This permitted staff to carry out thorough cleaning of the interior to boost safety for the next passengers, who had to book online for a specific timed train with, at that early stage, no tickets available from the booking office on the day.
Operations
Heading south, the trains ran nonstop through Rothley to Leicester North, where passengers were not allowed to board or alight, following the Government’s imposition of a local lockdown on the city following a spike in cases in July.
Indeed, visitors living within the lockdown area were not permitted to travel on the trains over the weekend. Residents of the lockdown area who had already purchased tickets were offered the chance to transfer the affected bookings to another equivalent service on a future date to be agreed.
As with all other heritage lines which have restarted their services, the primary consideration was given to the health of passengers, with social distancing imposed via a queueing system to board the trains. While there was free admission to the display at the station, the platform was closed to all apart from passengers with valid tickets.
Stock
The trains comprised compartment coaches, with each booking for a group of one- six-people allocated a single compartment.
All passengers in each compartment had to be from the same family group or support ‘ bubble’ and face coverings had to be worn on the station platforms and when boarding the train. However, the face coverings could be removed when passengers were seated within their private compartment.
During the first weekend, 449 passengers were carried, and 72% of available compartments were used.
The following weekend, the railway planned to sell tickets on the day – there was a cut- off point fromonline sales before remaining tickets could be offered at the booking office.