The Mid Norfolk Railway has announced that their planned Polar Express trains for 2020 have been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust, who oversees the running of the railway, have had to come to the decision as it has become clear that it would be impossible to put on the full show that the Polar Express offers.
Therefore, the railway does not want to put on a version of the Polar Express that would disappoint passengers when compared to previous years.
Charlie Robinson, the Chairman of the MNRPT, said: “We have come to this difficult decision because we have to take a long-term view that safeguards both the railway's reputation and that of the Polar Express Train Ride. We appreciate that this will be a major disappointment to our passengers, but we hope that there is understanding as to why this decision has been made.”
The Mid Norfolk Railway has, however, announced some good news in that they have signed a contract with Rail Events which will see the Polar Express return to the Mid Norfolk Railway every year until 2024. So the Polar Express will be back on the rails for 2021.
George Saville, the Railway's General Manager, said: “All of our Polar Express ticket holders have received an email from the railway setting out their options. These are a refund of the ticket price, as previously promised when they booked, or to transfer their ticket to the 2021 Polar Express.”
The Mid Norfolk Railway is now looking into an alternative steam-hauled train service for Christmas, that will comply with all social distancing guidelines.
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Headline is wrong, the Polar Express on the MNR is diesel hauled, it has been for the last 3 years. Modern(ish) airbraked coaches with electric heating tend to need diesel haulage.
Polar Express is such a theatrical event that there is no way that any line can do it properly under COVID-19. Well done to the Mid-Norfolk for deciding that the nationally-respected show needed to be maintained at the highest standards, rather than just offering a watered-down version and hoping people would accept it.
I hear that they may be offering a Santa Special service instead this year – and if they put the same effort into that as they do into the Polar Express I’m sure that it will be almost as amazing an experience.
My heart goes out to the Mid-Norfolk Railway once again… So sorry to hear of thr Marvellous MNR having to Cancel it’s Polar Express Events.
I Really Truly Do Hope the MNR get back on Track Come 2021… I Creatively Support the Mid-Norfolk Railway and most other Heritage Railwy Attractions (with all my support & from the Heart).