The Heritage Railway Association has released guidance for its members on the right way to reopen and begin heritage operations following the coronavirus lockdown.

The guidance has been compiled by a working group of heritage rail managers.

In addition to the guidance, the group has collection background information, legislation and other advice from other sectors in leisure and tourism and also from the Office of Rail and Road.

Staff, equipment and rolling stock that has been at a standstill for more than three months and these cannot be instantly restarted. A checklist of health and safety tasks must be completed first.

The HRA Guidance is intended to assist heritage railways in preparing its own tailored recovery plan.

For the railways who are still coming up with a reopening plan, the guidance provides suggestions on every aspect of reopening after lockdown.

‘For railways who are well-advanced in their re-opening plans, the guidance should provide a useful checklist. For those just starting on their plans, it should enable them to develop a safely deliverable, financially viable re-opening,’ said Steve Oates, HRA CEO.  ‘The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been, and continues to be, devastating on heritage rail and indeed the tourism and heritage sectors. Throughout the whole economy, measures have had to be introduced and enacted that have never previously been developed or even contemplated. In very many respects, government directives, rules, guidance and regulations have been created and implemented within very short timescales and have been designed to cover a very wide range of businesses and circumstances. As such, they have been subject to considerable and often ongoing review, amendment, update and clarification. Our guidance has been prepared with input from a working group of experienced heritage rail personnel. It’s guidance by heritage railway people, for heritage railway people.’

Oates is keen to emphasise the importance of the visitor experience: ‘It’s vital that we remember that heritage railways are visitor attractions. At the same time as complying with rules, regulations and guidelines, railways still have to offer a day out that’s seen as great value, and an entertaining and enjoyable experience. We’re saying to our members: sanitise the buildings and the carriages, but don’t sanitise the experience.’

‘Part of our role at the HRA is to be a gathering point for the great wealth of knowledge and experience acquired by all our members, and to facilitate ways of working together that benefit the cause of heritage rail in the UK,’ said Oates. ‘The recovery guidance is a great example of what can be achieved by harnessing the collective experience and collaboration of our members. I’m absolutely confident that it’s is the best possible resource for railways who want to get back into business as quickly and as safely as possible.’

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