BO’NESS AND DEAN FOREST RAILWAYS CANCEL MAJORITY OF 2020 EVENTS
The West Somerset Railway is not the only preserved line battening down the hatches in 2020, with both the Bo’ness & Kinneil and Dean Forest railways also cancelling their events for this year.
In a statement on June 9, the Scottish line said: “We will be extending the closure of the railway and museum to visitors until the end of September. This includes the station buffet, gift shop, model railway and visitor trail. We are disappointed but our primary concern must be the continued protection of our volunteers, staff and visitors.
“Additionally, we have made the decision to cancel all special events up to November 1. This includes Day Out With Thomas in July and September, Fish & Chips Trains in August and October, the 1940s & 50s Event in August and the steam gala in October/November.”
Striking a similar note, the Dean Forest Railway announced on June 5 that: “Our special events for the remainder of this year, with the exception of Santa Specials, have been postponed to 2021. This largely concerns our diesel and Royal Forest of Steam galas, which were shaping up to be great events.
“However, with the continuing uncertainty over Covid-19 and increased pressure on finances, we feel there is little alternative but to focus primarily on getting back to running services in a safe and sustainable way for this year.”
The line’s coronavirus survival appeal has raised over £40,000 towards its initial £50,000 target, but DFR society chairman Alistair Clarke estimated that, if the railway remained closed for the rest of 2020, it would need “in ballpark terms” around £100,000 to see it through the winter.
The Bodmin & Wenford Railway has also said that it will not reopen this summer and is making its pannier tanks available for hire (see separate story).
The East Somerset Railway has cancelled its 2020 events, bar its Santa Specials, because “we cannot adequately keep large numbers of people safely distanced,” said ESR chairman Dick Masters.
He added: “Santa Specials, which are for the ESR, like all railways, vital for income, will need to be completely rethought but we have every expectation that we will be running them again this year.”