EXHIBITION AND OPEN DAY SITUATION SEPTEMBER 2020

We've sadly had much to write about during the lock down, and even though that is easing and many activities open, including the return to Schools and Work for many, there still doesn't seem to be anything happening in September on the exhibition or open day circuit as far as I can see. Had so many plans to attend several open days, exhibitions and museums around the country this year and feeling that the year is going to be a complete write off now. 


Already received the expected news that we've lost the remaining open days from the Hillingdon Railway Modellers for the entire year, so it certainly isn't looking great. Looking at the calendar of forthcoming open days and exhibitions the entire month of September appears to be wiped out! This includes some large outside events such as those at Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway who had a Steam Gala booked for the opening weekend of September cancelled, also a show I might have reported about earlier in the year The Bressingham Steam Museum, Model Railway Show has also been cancelled. The October calendar doesn't look much better either, with the majority of events also called off already and those that are still showing as 'on' are surely in some doubt without a change in the government guidelines on social gatherings.

We have though seen some of the many heritage railways reopen, albeit with many social distance rules and running a reduced service. The Bluebell held their 60th anniversary, but trains are 'pre-booked' and are not running through to East Grinstead so for those of us without a car to get to Sheffield Park or Horstead Keynes it's not ideal, similar plans on the Watercress line at Alton / Alresford, with an unusual express service in place, and the other line I really wanted to visit was the Swanage line via Wareham, but they only running to Norden currently with Corfe Castle the only stop between to set down only! I had hoped to use the National Rail connection at Wareham to make a weekend of it. Capacity on all these services is very limited, pre-booking of a compartment is required, so geared around families I guess, and without main line connection a day out is not really an option for the time being. 

The National Railway Museum in York was also high on the list for 2020 and while it has recently re-opened to visitors there is a limited range of attractions open with the expected social distancing in place too. I think their "Great Hall" is open but little else sadly, so I think I will hold back on my trip away to York when it's possible to see it all and not be too disappointed overall as it's been a long time since I went there last. Does seem that we have to plan again for 2021 and hope that things improve for all the great modelling shows and heritage railways to have something to show later in the year.