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GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
Mike Hankey21-Apr-20 10:07
mveMike Hankey21-Apr-20 10:07 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
Nelek21-Apr-20 10:12
protectorNelek21-Apr-20 10:12 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
Mike Hankey21-Apr-20 10:16
mveMike Hankey21-Apr-20 10:16 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
Nelek21-Apr-20 10:32
protectorNelek21-Apr-20 10:32 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
User 1106097921-Apr-20 12:00
User 1106097921-Apr-20 12:00 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
bulg22-Apr-20 8:39
bulg22-Apr-20 8:39 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
kalberts21-Apr-20 9:21
kalberts21-Apr-20 9:21 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
DerekT-P21-Apr-20 10:12
professionalDerekT-P21-Apr-20 10:12 
In the UK we are blessed to have over 100 heritage railways, the vast majority using steam locomotion most or all of the time. Of the hundreds of preserved locos, around 50 are also mainline-certified; that is, approved to run on the national network. On the mainline they are limited to either 60 or 75mph (dependent on loco type), but there are occasional exceptions and only last year we experienced a steam loco running at 100mph on a major main line. (It was being approved for 90mph running, and as part of that certification had to exceed 90mph by 10%). We also have not only preserved steam, but new build steam locos, both narrow gauge and standard gauge. The first of these, Tornado, really captured the public imagination and boosted the profile of the heritage sector enormously. Since then, others have taken to the rails and there are probably around two dozen brand new steam locos under construction in the UK, which should see steam running for at least another 75 years.
However, in the current crisis, all our heritage railways are closed. They have close to zero income as we enter the busiest part of the year when the majority of income should be flowing. However costs are not zero; for many, they are still paying rent, rates, insurance, and staff costs (to keep admin and personnel functions operating, and to continue skeleton maintenance tasks). When lockdown is over, there will be public resistance to travelling in enclosed carriages and revenues will not bounce back. There will be deterioration of assets that will take time and money to repair; boiler certificates have a fixed (normally 10-year) period and after that locos need overhauls, but won't have earned the funds to pay for them. All UK heritage railways are facing terrible challenges, and it's very likely that some will fail, and tragically that some preserved locos will be lost forever.
I'm a volunteer at the Swanage Railway in Dorset, working as a porter (station staff), and also as a leader in the Youth Group. Youngsters joining at age 13 learn about safety, engineering, customer service, operations, fundraising and gain valuable personal skills. Many go on to work in railway, engineering, travel or hospitality careers. This is all at risk at present. See Swanage Railway[^] and feel free to donate!
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
kalberts21-Apr-20 10:48
kalberts21-Apr-20 10:48 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
kalberts21-Apr-20 13:33
kalberts21-Apr-20 13:33 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
Mark_Wallace21-Apr-20 12:19
Mark_Wallace21-Apr-20 12:19 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
kalberts21-Apr-20 12:44
kalberts21-Apr-20 12:44 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
Mark_Wallace21-Apr-20 15:25
Mark_Wallace21-Apr-20 15:25 
GeneralRe: Sign of the Times Pin
DerekT-P21-Apr-20 23:39
professionalDerekT-P21-Apr-20 23:39 
GeneralThought of the Day PinPopular
OriginalGriff21-Apr-20 4:51
mveOriginalGriff21-Apr-20 4:51 
GeneralRe: Thought of the Day Pin
Matthew Dennis21-Apr-20 5:01
sysadminMatthew Dennis21-Apr-20 5:01 
AnswerRe: Thought of the Day Pin
lopatir21-Apr-20 5:34
lopatir21-Apr-20 5:34 
GeneralRe: Thought of the Day Pin
Greg Utas21-Apr-20 6:01
professionalGreg Utas21-Apr-20 6:01 
GeneralRe: Thought of the Day Pin
Mark_Wallace21-Apr-20 6:27
Mark_Wallace21-Apr-20 6:27 
GeneralRe: Thought of the Day Pin
Johnny J.21-Apr-20 6:29
professionalJohnny J.21-Apr-20 6:29 
GeneralRe: Thought of the Day Pin
DerekT-P21-Apr-20 10:20
professionalDerekT-P21-Apr-20 10:20 
GeneralRe: Thought of the Day Pin
W Balboos, GHB21-Apr-20 7:17
W Balboos, GHB21-Apr-20 7:17 
GeneralMy But Q&A Is Even Weirder! Pin
W Balboos, GHB21-Apr-20 3:41
W Balboos, GHB21-Apr-20 3:41 
GeneralRe: My But Q&A Is Even Weirder! Pin
Daniel Pfeffer21-Apr-20 4:34
professionalDaniel Pfeffer21-Apr-20 4:34 
GeneralRe: My But Q&A Is Even Weirder! Pin
Sander Rossel21-Apr-20 4:40
professionalSander Rossel21-Apr-20 4:40 

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