Heritage lines reopen in time for summer peak

THE wait is over!

After five worrying months of inactivity, a number of Britain’s preserved railways and railway museums have reopened following the gradual easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

The first crop of lines welcomed passengers during early July (see p56), with more following later in the month, and the majority of others expected to open up during this month.

Several railways, however, have made the decision not to reopen during the summer, with some electing to remain closed for the rest of the year.

For those lines that are running trains, it is not quite ‘business as usual’. The need for social distancing, staff/volunteer availability and other governing factors have resulted in lines offering a somewhat pared back service to what would normally be expected at this time of year.

Requirements for pre-booking, shop/cafe closures, and in many cases a reliance on compartment stock to retain social ‘bubbles’, has meant passenger capacity is down and the overall visitor experience is somewhat reduced.

However, that does not seem to have kept people away, and those railways that had reopened by the time this issue of The RM went to press were greatly encouraged by the turnout so far.

Many narrow-gauge lines have also reopened, although some will remain closed for the rest of 2020.

The lifting of travel restrictions in Wales on July 6, has allowed a number of lines to reopen for tourists.

With the situation remaining fluid, the table below shows which railways are currently open, which are to reopen during August, and which lines are not planning to reopen this season.

Please check before visiting.

LEFT: The return to operation of some railways has also allowed the first photographic charters to take place since the beginning of the year. Martin Creese’s 30742 Charters quickly took advantage of steam’s re-emergence, holding events at the Statfold Barn Railway on July 13, and again at the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway a few days later on July 19. Here, the South Devon Railway’s Collett ‘64XX’ 0-6-0PT No. 6412 heads a short branch line ballast train towards West Lane in Bledlow, Buckinghamshire, during the Chinnor line charter.