From
Birmingham LiveTwo hundred years after George Stephenson was powering the way ahead with his locomotives the steam engine has finally been brought to a crushing halt - by coronavirus.
Vintage Trains has cancelled its entire 2020 charter programme and planning for autumn and winter has been 'curtailed'.
People who have booked to travel are being offered three choices.
* To donate the train fare to Vintage Trains Charitable Trust. This money would only be spent on returning 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe to the main line and upgrading the train, not on general revenue support or overheads. This donation can also be made to the Vintage Trains Pullman Club
* A credit note valid for 12 months
* A full refund
The unprecedented move means the only chance that rail enthusiasts will have to let off steam this year will be a virtual open day.
I suspect this may be the first of many wipe-outs of 2020. Noting that the Community Rail Network Gala postponed from October to December only happens in December if it can - the date is provisional. And looking locally - Santa is still in my diary for
MRUG» , but I would add a footnote "subject to us being properly back on our feet.
The wipeouts are - a little - countered by online sessions. I have no less than 5 coming up this week, three next week at the moment and no doubt more to be added at shortish notice.
