Covid-19 / Coronavirus

Corona VirusCoronavirus Covid-19 Update (22nd March)

It is becoming increasingly clear with the worsening of the Covid-19 outbreak that we will not be able to return to normal and open the railway for some time.   In order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers, and so as not to encourage visitors to make unnecessary journeys and come into contact with each other, the railway will remain closed until the current government advice is lifted.  We will not open until at the earliest Saturday 2nd May, and there is every likelihood that this will be further extended. We will be keeping the situation under constant review.

This means that our Easter Egg Hunt has been cancelled, and our Volunteer Recruitment Day is postponed to Sunday 13th September.  Other events in the next few months, including our Model Railway Show on 23rd & 24th May and the Bala Re-railed open days at Bala Town station on 13th & 14th June are under review.

In these difficult and unprecedented times, almost every business is feeling the pain and we are no exception.  We face a prolonged period with no income, and whilst the support the government has announced will go some way to help, more than ever we need the support of the public and those who want to see the railway here for generations to come.

There are two ways in which you can help:

  • The first is by following the government’s advice.  The sooner we all stop making unnecessary journeys and we keep ourselves away from others, the sooner this will be all over and we can all get back to normal.  We will be able to run our steam trains again for your enjoyment.
  • The other way is to help with a donation.  We know many of you are also facing hard times, and many businesses are also in difficult situations, but if you are in the fortunate position to be able to make a financial donation, this will go a long way to help keep us going.

To make a donation, please click on this link.

Thank you for your understanding and support, and please stay safe.

David Jones
General Manager
Bala Lake Railway