European heritage lines bounce back from Covid

THE easing of coronavirus restrictions across Europe has varied from one country to another, although one common feature has been that heritage rail lines have been able to reopen, in some cases for the first time since 2019. Rules concerning masks, vaccinations and social distancing vary between countries, and sometimes within them as well.

In some countries, heritage railways have been operating this summer as normal whilst in others, notably Germany and Austria, only passengers who can prove they have been vaccinated are allowed to travel – and must wear face coverings while doing so.

The reopening of travel from the UK was too late for most people to attend events held overseas in the first half of the year, notably a steam festival at the Baie de Somme railway in northern France in early July which featured locos visiting from Germany.

In Germany, the annual Dresden Dampflok Festival took place from October 8-10, enabling visitors from all over Europe to attend, having been completely cancelled in 2020, although only people who were fully vaccinated or who had a very recent negative test were allowed in.

PAUL GRIFFIN Left: The 600mm narrow gauge heritage railway on the Hel Peninsula formerly served coastal batteries although part of the network remains in use by the Polish Navy. One of the resident type WLs40 diesel locomotives is seen in the sand dunes at Hel Cezar on August 13. Poland, unlike neighbouring Germany, did not require evidence of vaccination from prospective heritage railway passengers this summer.

WALLACE SHAUN Above: On the 700mm gauge Hedelands Railway near Roskilde in Denmark, 0-8-0T loco No. Da.7 (Henschel 18449/1921) celebrated its centenary in 2021 and was in use this summer, seen at Hedehusene on August 29. By October, Denmark, like much of the UK, had removed almost all Covid-19 restrictions.