RAILTOUR NEWS: this weeks 'Fellsman'

RH understands that this weeks 'Fellsman' may feature No. 45699 Galatea. If so, it would be the locomotive's first encounter with the Settle & Carlisle since being returned to traffic by WCRC.

 

Apparently a steam train ban now as of this morning.

 

Covering what area? What's the source of your info?

 

What you say is true, but it was also true last week and the week before....

 

And an area that should normally see a lot of Short-Eared Owls breeding, along with other ground nesting birds. The Shorties are sadly in decline and it would be a disaster to add to that if their young were wiped out by steam loco caused fires. "Normal" fires are bad enough.

And as it stays hot and dry day after day, the vegetation gets drier day after day.

 

There was a light drizzle here on the Fylde for a couple of hours this morning but the sun has returned now.

 

Apologies if there is already a thread covering the steam ban topic, but you may find more detail here - Railway Herald has been told that due to the containing hot and dry weather, with little immediate project of any significant change, that Network Rail has implemented a ban on steam operations. However, RH also understands that wise counsels interceded and a more workable arrangement has resulted which will involve some steam operations continuing, albeit with a diesel trucked inside to provide assistance when deemed necessary.
The zones affected are the Southern, Western, North east and part of the North West.
West Coast operations manager James Shuttleworth told RH that as a consequence of a positive dialogue with Network Rail Special Trains Unit, the 'Scarborough Spa Expresses' which commence their 2013 season (tomorrow) 15 July, and Wednesday's 'Fellsman' which is slated for haulage by No. 45699 Galatea will both operate as advertised, but with a diesel tucked inside the steam locomotive. Next Sunday's 'Shakespeare Express' is also likely to operate similarly to last Sunday's train, with a diesel in the consist.
There is no firm news yet of Pathfinders' 'Tyne-Tees Streak' which is scheduled to operate on Friday, 19th July, but with the North East zone included there must be a huge question mark whether any high speed running would be permitted.