Greetings all KLS Members. This is the email you've been waiting for. It gives me great pleasure to announce the opening day of our 2021 season. There are some conditions but starting the second Saturday in April, the KLS Board of Directors has decided that we will be running trains for the public for the first time in over a year.
We will adhere to state guidelines but also some enhanced KLS guidelines that will enable us to run trains safely for all concerned.
Running conditions are:
1) All KLS members will be required to wear masks when working in the depot, operating trains, or when interacting with the public.
2) All public riders will be asked to be masked once they pass through the depot gate and remain masked while on the train until they exit the depot area through our exit gate. State guidelines say that for outdoor activities, 6' distance or a mask when 6' is not reasonable, is acceptable. Since it is difficult to maintain 6' distance on a train, if everyone wears a mask, we're OK. KLS trains are privately owned and operated and as such KLS Board of Directors has determined that all riders be masked (children under 2 are exempt). Persons who do not wish to wear a mask do not need to ride.
The Board members did explore the possibility of running trains while also maintaining social distancing. The result was that there would be too few passengers per train to be cost effective. The solution was masks for all as stated above.
3) As per our usual running rules, this is all subject to weather conditions, track conditions, and availability of trained engineers and conductors.
Hand sanitizer will be available at multiple locations. All riding cars will be sprayed down between rides.
I'm looking forward to a great season at the track as I'm sure most of you are.
See you there...
Steve Tinner
KLS President