Autumn storm weather affects several lines

STORM Arwen over November 27/28 caused problems for a number of lines. High winds blew down marquees being prepared for Christmas operations and trees/branches onto lines.

Fortunately, comparatively few narrow gauge railways seem to have had to cancel services. Examples which did include:

■ Ravenglass & Eskdale

Railway cancelled November 27 trains after overnight weather left roads north and south of Ravenglass blocked by fallen trees. The line ran as planned on November 28.

■ South Tynedale Railway cancelled November 27/28 services due to widespread power cuts around Alston including the railway.

■ Scarborough North Bay Railway cancelled November 27 trains following a track inspection and abandoned the following day’s services due to ongoing extreme weather.

■ Falling snow led Whistlestop Valley (Kirklees Light Railway) to cancel its 16.40 and 18.00hrs trains on November 28, feeling it was no longer safe to continue operations.

■ Hayling Light Railway, which runs along the seafront, did not operate on November 27 due to the bad weather.