The Santa Express at Waterford Suir Valley Railway is the latest event to be cancelled due to the uncertain environment created by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Christmas has always been a very special time at the Waterford Suir Valley Railway. The volunteer crew have been operating the Santa Express for 18 years, welcoming many loyal families visiting every year since it started in 2002. Many more, who having visited as children are keeping up the family Christmas tradition, now bringing their own children to enjoy the experience.
Maria Kyte, Manager of Waterford Suir Valley Railway said “The Santa Express is without doubt our favourite event to organise and operate and therefore, it is with great regret that we have made the heart-breaking decision to cancel the Santa Express for 2020.” She continued “The Government restrictions for the Covid-19 Pandemic are liable to be put in to place at any time resulting in the cancelation of the Santa Express at short notice. It would be beyond our control and we don’t want to promise something we may not be in a position to deliver and disappoint children so near to Christmas. The lead up to Christmas will not be the same for us at Kilmeadan Station, we will miss welcoming all our lovely families to the Santa Express.”
The Waterford Suir Valley Railway had already announced the cancelling of their other award-winning long running event, the Spooky Express, which was due to be held on Saturday 24th October. The railway is closed at present due to the level 3 Covid-19 restrictions. The crew at Waterford Suir Valley Railway hope to resume operation on 28th October until 1st November for the October mid-term break.
The Whistlestop Café located on the Waterford Greenway at Kilmeadan Station is currently open for takeaway service of refreshments and snack and will remain open until the end of the year unless other restrictions are put in place.