Vintage Trains cancels 2020 railtour programme after coronavirus strikes
TYSELEY-BASED train operating company Vintage Trains has made the decision to cancel its advertised 2020 railtour and charter programme.
The move follows an in-depth review of the Government's recovery strategy for the potential easing of lockdown rules for the hospitality and engineering sectors.
"The Government is actively discouraging travel by train, and it is now clear social distancing will be maintained in some form for an extended period, and its enforcement with regard to staffing, managing passenger movements and driving locomotives would present insurmountable problems;' said VT spokesman Denis Chick.
"By carrying significantly fewer passengers, it would be also impossible to run an economically viable service.
Apology
"For those who have booked on the trains we have advertised, we apologise we will not be able to offer these journeys now - we have no choice legally, morally or commercially.
"We are not offering to postpone or rebook any trains at the moment:'
Instead VT is offering pre-booked passengers the opportunity to have a full refund, or credit note valid for one year, or the opportunity to donate the train fare to Vintage Trains Charitable Trust.
Any donations made in this way will only be spent on returning 'Castle' No. 5043 Earl ofMount Edgcumbe to the main line and upgrading VT's Mk2 stock. It will not be spent on general revenue support or overheads.
However, consideration is being given to the potential of a phased return to work forTyseley Locomotive Works staff, although this is wholly dependent on the establishment of satisfactory measures required to maintain staff safety.