Boost for Welsh narrow gauge as lines reopen

The move, a major boost in the region that is home to most of the UK’s leading narrow gauge lines, comes after the Welsh Government relaxed a number of restrictions, including a five-mile travel rule. The Bala line has made a number of provisions to ensure it can safely operate, including mandatory pre-booking of tickets, social distancing and enhanced cleaning of its trains.>

In further good news for the sector, the Snowdon Mountain Railway announced an intended resumption of services from 10^th July, and the Fairbourne Railway from 14^th July.

Leading Welsh lines the Ffestiniog, Talyllyn and Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railways are known to be working towards reopening dates, but the Vale of Rheidol Railway is not currently expected to run at all in 2020.

The weekend of 4^th-5^th July saw a number of 15-inch gauge lines in England back in action, including the Evesham Vale, Heatherslaw, Perrygrove and Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch railways, while the 2ft gauge Groudle Glen and Laxey Mines lines on the Isle of Man also resumed services.

For in-depth coverage on how railways are dealing with the effects of Covid-19 see the latest edition of Narrow Gauge World, available here.