GLOUCESTERSHIRE to Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) chiefs have cancelled the steam train service planned to operate every day from today (Sunday) December to 3 January. The last trains to operate were the final ‘Santa Experience’ services on Christmas Eve.
Richard Johnson, the GWSR’s volunteer Chairman said: “We have suspended train services from 27 December thanks to the growing Covid-19 crisis which has seen Gloucestershire’s status moved from Tier 2 to Tier 3. Our priority is of course to protect our visitors as well as our volunteers, many of whom travel some distance to give their time to our railway.
“I’m glad to say, that our Santa Experience trains, which ended on Christmas Eve, have been an outstanding success and everyone involved has gone above and beyond to make sure families visiting us have enjoyed a wonderful visit.
“All those who have pre-booked tickets for the post-Christmas trains, which would have rounded off what has been an extremely difficult year for our railway, will receive automatic refunds.”
The Tier 3 restrictions also means that volunteers cannot attend the railway to work on their locomotives or other projects unless that work is essential to maintain the railway and its business. Similarly, volunteers who now find themselves living in a Tier 4 area must not visit the railway.
Added Richard Johnson: “Despite the challenges presented to us, the railway is in good order to resume services once the crisis eases.”
The railway is planning to operate a diesel railcar service between Toddington and Broadway during the February half-term and to resume full operation, subject to Covid restrictions, in March. Full information is available on www.gwsr.com
