A very British summer!
DURING the past four months, it seems that we have relived every inch of the pioneering days of the heritage railway movement, if not the whole 70 years, at lightning speed. At the start of the year, who in the sector would have heard of Covid- 19, furlough, social distancing and so on? Yet here we are into the height of the summer season, and battling ina near- World War Three scenario, our heritage lines have yet again shown the very best that our country has to proudly offer.
Past defining peaks saw the completion of the Ffestiniog Railway’s Llyn Ystradau deviation, the opening of a double- track heritage trunk railway and the main line debut of a new Peppercorn Pacific which would later hit 101 mph. Now we have seen heritage lines big and small not only get to grips with the Government requirements for making public venues as safe as possible against the Covid- 19 virus, but also excelling in doing so.
In so many ways, in their determination to guarantee high summer steam, our railways and main line tour operators have led the home tourist market.
However, so much of it is down not only to the sector’s army of volunteers but also the general public, including many Heritage Railway readers, who have generously responded to emergency appeals for cash to helpmeet the day- to- day running costs of our income- starved lines.
Each day right up to until we closed for press, more and more lines announced that they are now‘ good to go’, and by the time this issue hits the shelves, many will have relaunched their August services. Yes, it’s a massive cause for celebration, but ( to coin a phrase) maybe this is more like the endof the beginning, rather than the beginning of the end.
Those lines running again are likely to record lower in come receipts, if only because essential social distancing measures will have limited available seats. Extra sources of in come will be desperately needed in the coming months.
If indeed you feel safe to do so, visit a heritage railway or three or four this summer. Gareth Evans travelled on the Bala Lake Railway when it became the first to run again following the Welsh Government’ s lock down easing, and as reported in News, pages 18- 19, could not fail to have been overwhelmed by the atmosphere and ( socially distanced) camaraderie there.
Where you can, use your chosen railway’s catering facilities and souvenir shop, or buy all your gifts online fromit. And don’t forget – keep those donations coming!
Despite lockdown, thereare still landmarks aplenty to look for, not least of all the Ffestiniog’s George England No. 5Welsh Pony hauling its first trains in 80 years.
Hereat Heritage Railway, which offers the widest coverage of the sector, wewill continue to bring you the latest news from venues big and small. Turn to page 31 and take out a subscription. Let us keep you up to speed with the complete picture as events unfold.