Three chairmen appeal to cover FF&WHR costs
A TRIPLE SOS has been sounded by the chairmen of three organisations involved in the running of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, in a bid to cover the deficit from not being able to run trains.
Late March saw the railways cease the limited early spring service and immediately close all cafes and bars in accordance with Government guidance. The closure led to 40 seasonal staff set to start work this week not being able to do so, while the majority of the permanent staff were sent home under furlough arrangements.
Furthermore, all volunteer work has been suspended until Government restrictions are lifted.
A limited number of engineering staff spent several days ensuring that railway worksites were made safe before being asked to stay at home. In particular, care is being taken not to leave scaffolding or open workings.
However, local residents were warned that key maintenance inspections could continue as required, and therefore tracks should not be used for exercise purposes as trains could still be present at any time.
An appeal letter was issued by John Prideaux chairman of the Festiniog Railway Company and the FF&WHR, Howard Wilson, chairman of the Ffestiniog Railway Society and Dafydd Thomas, chairman of Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Eryri (the Welsh Highland Railway Society).
It read: “The company has focused on just two key objectives in this crisis: the welfare of our people (staff, volunteers, supporters, customers) and survival.
“The virus has hit at a particularly difficult time for us. It has hit just as we were about to open the railways for daily service. In basic terms, the money we would take in the next six or seven months would normally be expected to pay our costs for the whole year.
“Although we cannot run trains, there are tasks that we reasonably and safely can work on – particularly where these are jobs like new carriages which have been funded separately by generous donations. We will carry on with those.
“The Government advice on limiting social contact has unfortunately placed severe limits on volunteering.
“We will earn money where we can. The shops are open for internet sales, so please do support them. And if you are planning a trip after all this is over, please do not forget Ffestiniog Travel. However hard we try, there is going to be a big gap.
“The railway has a £6.5 million turnover and a £2.5 million wage bill. The trust and both societies have agreed to make loans to the company to ensure that it remains solvent in the short term, but those are loans. Loans have to be repaid.
“There may be some help from
Government. We are working with them to see what might be possible. However, it seems pretty clear that we will need substantial donations to help make up for the loss of the revenue from our trains, cafes and normal retail activities. So, we are asking all of you to consider giving a donation to help your railway through this most challenging time. We all need our friends in such difficult times.”
Donations will allow work on locomotives, carriages, track and all other areas of the railway to continue as far as possible and allow the skilled staff to be retained. The strategy is to keep the railways in as near as operable position as possible so a swift return to running services is possible when appropriate.
An unnamed sponsor has offered to increase all donations by 5%.
➜ If you wish to donate to the FF&WHR, cheques can be sent to: The Treasurer Flat 1, 17 Chandos Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0SS. Payments by bank transfer can be made to account name: The Ffestiniog; acc number: 87330040 and sort code: 60-05-11. A gift aid form can be downloaded at www.festrail. co.uk/pdf/fwrt_gift_aid_form_2020_ March.pdf and a scan emailed to jscarisbrick@ffwhr.com
Alternatively, payments may be made through the Ffestiniog Railway Society at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ donation-web/charity?charityid =1003330 and via Paypal on the Welsh Highland Railway Society website at www.whrsoc.org.uk