Moderator note - split from this thread:
(1) Post Lockdown re-opening dates for heritage railways | RailUK Forums (railforums.co.uk)
As discussed many times last year, there is a lot to do for many railways to prepare for opening and running a passenger service and if the volunteers cannot currently work on their "branch sets" (it is non essential) then being able to open on say 12th is problematic. There must be a lag between when they can start to prepare engines and stock, reassess staff who's safety competences may have lapsed and run shakedown services to ensure that everything is safe for running passenger services.
In Scotland where we are using data not dates, then we have no clear date for when we can reopen. We had hoped for the end of March but that is now put back - see latest news;
Before we reopen we need to ensure the track is okay (we are main line connected so use the track regularly and it is legitimate to maintain it) but we need to get the steam engines out of storage, and give them a good once over and test. The stock likewise must be fully tested as well as made Covid safe with screens. All staff must be competent in their roles, and this means they need to be reassessed to a degree as it is over a year ago since they were last on an operating service.
We are not alone, all railways will need some form of preparedness runs, which is why just because railways "could" open, they may not be in a position to do so on 12th.
I really welcome your approach of wanting to visit a number of railways this year - I think they all need support if they are to survive, and lots offer a good day out which you can extend by exploring the surrounding area and having your lunch their too. Breakfast at the Avon Valley Railway was one of the highlights of my trip there in 2019 and set me up for the day!
If everyone can visit even 3 or 4 railways this year then that would help enormously. I'm not looking forward to a series of threads about closures...
(1) Post Lockdown re-opening dates for heritage railways | RailUK Forums (railforums.co.uk)
As discussed many times last year, there is a lot to do for many railways to prepare for opening and running a passenger service and if the volunteers cannot currently work on their "branch sets" (it is non essential) then being able to open on say 12th is problematic. There must be a lag between when they can start to prepare engines and stock, reassess staff who's safety competences may have lapsed and run shakedown services to ensure that everything is safe for running passenger services.
In Scotland where we are using data not dates, then we have no clear date for when we can reopen. We had hoped for the end of March but that is now put back - see latest news;
Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
www.bkrailway.co.uk
Before we reopen we need to ensure the track is okay (we are main line connected so use the track regularly and it is legitimate to maintain it) but we need to get the steam engines out of storage, and give them a good once over and test. The stock likewise must be fully tested as well as made Covid safe with screens. All staff must be competent in their roles, and this means they need to be reassessed to a degree as it is over a year ago since they were last on an operating service.
We are not alone, all railways will need some form of preparedness runs, which is why just because railways "could" open, they may not be in a position to do so on 12th.
I really welcome your approach of wanting to visit a number of railways this year - I think they all need support if they are to survive, and lots offer a good day out which you can extend by exploring the surrounding area and having your lunch their too. Breakfast at the Avon Valley Railway was one of the highlights of my trip there in 2019 and set me up for the day!
If everyone can visit even 3 or 4 railways this year then that would help enormously. I'm not looking forward to a series of threads about closures...
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