More locos and longer line at Statfold
Several narrow-gauge lines enjoyed a busy Spring Bank holiday week between 29th May and 6th June, as school half-terms and restrictions on foreign holidays combined to spark a big rise in domestic tourism.
Speaking to NGW on 10th June, Andrew Barnes, manager of the Bure Valley Railway described the week as; “fantastic and surpassing all our expectations.”
The Norfolk 15-inch gauge line has suffered many difficulties during the pandemic, so the busy trains were all the more welcome.
“We had a good mix of locals and visitors and it was great to be able to welcome back coach parties as well,” Andrew said.
“The staycation effect was certainly felt in Norfolk with holiday cottages, hotels and B&Bs all seeing excellent booking levels for the half term.”
The line has also been encouraged by strong future bookings. “This week we were due to step down to a two-train service, when with groups and charters we have actually run a three-train service and seven days instead of the advertised five.
“What is even more comforting is that we were able to carry peak pre-Covid passenger numbers even with the social distancing measures in place. The feedback from customers was also really positive that they had a great time and felt safe.”
The Bala Lake Railway recorded its highest post-Covid passenger numbers on Sunday 30th May, with most trains running fully booked. “Saturday and Monday were almost as busy and our numbers over the weekend exceeded all expectations,” BLR general manager David Jones told NGW.
The railway operated its intensive two-train service utilising the passing loop at Llangower, and with three quarry Hunslet 0-4-0STs ‘Maid Marian’, ‘George B’ and ‘Winifred’ all in steam, the latter having passed its steam test on 27th May.
Similar full trains were reported 20 miles further west at Fairbourne. The Fairbourne Railway staged one of the first post-Covid Gala events over the Bank Holiday weekend and attracted plenty of visitors, but the 121/4-inch line was even busier by the middle of the half-term week.
The entry into traffic on 30th May of the Corris Railway’s latest new-build carriage, number 23 proved timely as services that day, and the following Bank Holiday Monday, ran virtually full.
With Covid precautions in place, and the need to deep-clean trains between workings, the mid-Wales line ran three round trips from Corris station to the current railhead on the Southern extension.
Trains returning to Corris were required to restart on the 1 in 30 gradient and passengers were able to enjoy the sound of Kerr-Stuart new-build 0-4-2ST number 7
tackling the gradient and the load.
Elsewhere the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway was among lines reporting a busy half-term week, spokesman Tony Nicholson telling NGW that Wednesday’s figures were believed to be a record. “Woody Bay was always busy whenever I dropped in during the week,” he said.