From
Devon LivePolar Express Train Ride through South Devon cancelled because of COVID
Customers who travel from all over the country for one of Devon's biggest Christmas attractions have been told today that it has been cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions.
South Devon Railway announced that it was the biggest blow yet in its most difficult year ever.
A statement from SDR said: "It is with considerable regret and great disappointment that this year?s planned Polar Express trains for the Christmas season at the Buckfastleigh-based South Devon Railway (SDR) have had to be cancelled.
[snip]
Over 16,800 people had flocked to book to travel on the the Polar Express for the first time this year.
Over 17 days, there were 85 scheduled trains in late November and through December on the picturesque riverside line from Buckfastleigh to Totnes.
1,000 people per day ... nearly 200 per train.
Commenting about the disappointing news today (October 22), SDR Board Chairman Jon Morton said: ?It gives me no pleasure to have to announce this sad news today that our Polar Express trains won?t be running this year after all in what has been a very difficult, challenging and bizarre season for us so far.
?The planned Polar Express services were providing us some hope of running trains and welcoming passengers again this year, but they too have now been dashed on the rocks by this dreadful pandemic.
?Unfortunately, this cancellation for the SDR follows a now nationwide trend.
and
?As a result of all this, the SDR is no longer planning to operate any regular passenger trains until the start of the 2021 season."
Sad, but understandable. Wishing them and other heritage rail operations all the best through these hard times. 90%
including the SDR have been mature and co-ordinated in handling the extraordinary circumstances, with any disagreements as to what to do sorted out internally, and are to be congratulated on that.
