Steam Ban Nationwide

Heard on the grapevine that theres a complete steam ban on until at least the 2nd of July?? Anybody confirm that?

 

Given that today's Fellsman was worked by a pair of Class 37s to Carlisle I presume WCRC are suspending steam on some services. The Jacobite is being monitored locally and - given the relatively flat route between York and Scarborough - I hope steam continues for the near future.

 

In view of the current and forecast weather conditions this would not surprise me.

 

From what I have heard it's a complete ban on steam on LNW (N) and LNW (S) routes until 2359hrs 2/7/2018.
Other routes DL assistance will be provided either with the DL coupled inside the steam loco or from the rear.
Sunday 2/7/2018 Paddington - Stratford on Avon will be diesel hauled throughout.
West Highland workings are assessed under a local risk assessment.


Hope that clarifies the situation,

Neil

 

Sunday is 1/7/2018. 2/7/2018 is Monday.

 

No doubt we will be getting floods now

 

Are any preserved lines having to reconsider the use of steam locomotives?

 

Having just checked the met office forecast for my area, which 1s nothing but 'Scorchio' (loved the fast show) at least as far ahead as next Tuesday, I wouldn't be surprised to hear any minute from Severn Trent that there is a water shortage despite the fact that it's not much over 3 months since we were under several inches of snow.

 

Vale of Rheidol have announced today's services have been cancelled due to a wildfire in the valley.

 

Does LNW include all North Western region lines, or is it just the WCML?

 

Rather than speculate, I suggest you all re-read my post on the Fellsman thread, as I was involved in agreeing the policy and take part in in the daily steam fire-risk calls with NR.

As far as LNW are concerned, they are feeling particularly embattled, with several significant fires (non-steam related) in the last day or so on the WCML, added to on-going tension over timetable performance with Northern and TPE - hence a high aversion to steam, as an added risk. Having said that, they've now ok'd show-pony status for the S&C, for next week's The Dalesmen.

The situation nonetheless remains fragile, until the weather breaks.

JS

 

I'm having a bimble on the Dalesman next week. I'd rather it was a Cl37 or two and forget the show pony.

 

Fire problems yesterday on the KWVLR, service suspension parts of the day for checks/fires (or so we were told on the lineside)

 

Sorry if it was assumed there was speculation here James. My question is simply to clarify what LNW includes, regardless of fire risk.

 

No problem - basically, LNW (N&S) have declared a High risk and that, effectively, means no steam on their core routes (WCML and Manchester/trans-Pennine). We agreed an acceptable mitigation on the S&C, ie. steam with diesel inside (providing principal traction), which satisfies most passengers but, equally, not all the denizens of NatPres.

It is as good a time as any to remember (should anyone on here really need reminding!) that regular steam operations finished 50 years ago and the railway is a very different place - knowledge and attitudes change.

JS

 

https://www.stwater.co.uk/news/news...stomers-to-use-water-carefully-to-avoid-low-/

 

Just back on line after a day volunteering at Romsey SB museum. (Gardening and cleaning after an open weekend - nothing exciting.)
London North West North and South Routes is the WCML, West Midlands, the old Liverpool, Manchester and Preston Districts and the Chiltern line into Marylebone. Former London Midland Region lines which were part of the North London Line are now with Anglia Route and anything Welsh or borders is Wales route.
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/lnw/
Unfortunately NR don't explain it very clearly.....

Cheers, Neil

 

Yup ; had two texts from them already this evening !

 

Thanks Neil.