The VATexemption thing is a bit of a red herring, If heritage railways werent exempt as public transport a lot (most?) would qualify as cultural heritage museums for exemption. Even if you had to charge VAT on tickets the amount you could reclaim on costs would almost wipe out any tax advantage. Most railways make a loss on the actual train ride.
Yes but why didn't HRA press for heritage railways to be able to operate as per Network Rail - as they don't have rules. Surely there is no greater risk on one than the other? To be honest since all this started I have not been on an NR train but I gather they just put some seating areas out of use and let passengers board and alight. Though I know TfW decided to close some stations. There should have been more push back from the trade body in my opinion.
Just being pernickety - you mean National Rail.
because there is a massive overreaction by some people to something minor and seem unable to see beyond thier own interests. You are being asked to book a particular train and perhaps wear a mask. That isn't an imposition in my book. It might be in yours.
And it is worth saying that heritage lines were subject to scrutiny at the reopening stage from the relevant local authority (with some "postcode lottery" effects initially) AND random inspections thereafter. And the priority of the operators was and is to recover their lost income asap, and that may mean concentrating their activity.
Many people seem to have tolerated (if not welcomed!) minor impositions on their leisure activity during restrictions - including many months when heritage lines could not operate at all.
Yes, solo travellers are being asked to fork out £40 plus on some lines (e.g. a compartment is the same price whether for 1 or 6).
There are some limited single traveller tickets available for £25 (mainly on the Adventurer, but possibly on the other services). There are discussions ongoing about changes to the service.
That's fair. I too am waiting for things, in general, to settle down before visiting other lines.
Exactly, which is why this thread was set up: so people can find out what to expect.
Some of us don't have either unlimited time, or unlimited money, and therefore we wish to make an informed choice.
That's the category I fall into. Not going to go to one that requires pre booking, a little hitler barking ruless, no use of intermediate stations where there might be a good pub for example. I don't just want to sit on a train and go home, I want a flexible day out for the money I pay. Some lines are signing their own demise keeping the restrictions in place to be nothing else but touchy feely, when there is no longer any need to carry on the pantomime. Of course, people will disagree with me (but I am not asking for agreement). People will say, but its hard for these railways, and yes it has been. But carrying on the restrictions unnecessarily when they do not have to, do I have any sympathy if they struggle from now on, no. Not really. Because they do not have to carry on like this as of 19th July. I'm looking at you Ravenglass, RH&DR, and Crich.
They're also offering Rover tickets for those who like to station-hop with some coaches reserved for them and others for round-trippers.
I can understand why the RHDR are sticking with pre-booking. They are sold out even on days when the weather is not so good. With the recent hot weather the coast area is absolutely saturated with staycationers and dayttrippers from London. Last saturday there was a 3 mile queue to get in to the full car parks at Camber Sands and the now 4 car trains on the Marshlink line were having to leave passengers at Ashford who couldnt squeeze on. If the RHDR was operating a normal service theyd be in danger of being swamped.
Such wibble. If you want to travel on a puffer you follow the rules of the provider or don't go. These railways need your support. Go, even if you have to follow what in your view are silly rules. If you dont go now they wont be there for you when you do want to go.
We have been on two very different preserved railways recently: NYMR and Avon Valley.
Both ran very similar arrangements: You book specific seats on specific trains and travel the length of the line. You wear a face mask when moving around inside or on the train but not at your seat. I kept mine on whilst on the platform as it was easier. Catering was available on the trains, shops and cafes were open. The toilets on and off the train were open. Both railways offered a choice of compartments or tables. It was quite easy, relaxing and enjoyable. Both trains we went on were well loaded but the NYMR services were less busy than I would expect ( although it was a wet day)
The NYMR actually ran two trains. A Pickering > Whitby "express" that didn't obviously pick up at intermediate stations and a "local" Pickering > Grosmont that did
Were there some additional rules? Yes. Could you run around as if you own the place? No. It was slightly different to "normal" but not inconveniently so. It is a bit of PITA to book in advance but it is hardly hard. if you cant cope with that the modern world will be hard work. We had a nice day out and hardly noticed the covid rules. You could even stick your head out of the train!
BTW: I am an English Heritage member, I didn't know they ran trains
It isn't going to be though is it? I don't want them to go on long term like this. I am simply prepared to make the best of it and rationally accept the limitations imposed by COVID. Others on this thread clearly aren't.
NYMR, for 2 x adult returns from Pickering to Whitby, was just shy of £90. That isn't COVID related. Last time we went a couple of years ago it was c£80 for that journey. it is steep but the boss wanted to go so go we did! ( she wasn't best pleased when the 25 came on at Grosmont!)
Perfect post
I agree 100% This is not normal nor should it be.
In these circumstances that is a booked seat on a train from Pickering and a return from Whitby. It allowed us a full afternoon in Whitby in the pouring rain! We could have made a day of it by booking the early train but we wanted a late start
90 quid for two!? I shall treasure my Priv card even more from now on.
