Steam Ban due to fire risk (updates)

Are you sure it was that long? I thought it started at the end of June & remember a massive downpour starting mid August. I know that because I went to a weekend camping car rally then & got drenched.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_United_Kingdom_heat_wave

 

The rains started at the very end of August. At least in Kent and very gently at first.

PS. Just found this on Wiki:-

In the last week of August, severe thunderstorms brought rain to some places for the first time in weeks. September and October 1976 were both very wet months, bringing to an end the great drought of 1975–1976.


Dooohhhh...!

Just read Buseng's link

 

We've got another fortnight of July to get through yet even before thinking about August!
It becomes more unbearable by the day, not only is it hot, 30 degrees plus, it is now very muggy with no breeze or wind at all.
I hope no one ever complains about winter again.

 

Just a thought. What is he rationale behind steam and diesel double heading ?
If its solely to provide a "figure head" upfront then what's the point at all ? (Or alternatively why not register any steam loco and forget all the NR gizmos needed, just let it be pushed around ? - non mainline steam can go on NR metals dragged about afterall. (Remember Eastleigh works openday?)

If its to reduce the risk of fire due to strain of the steam loco.. Why not double head steam.. Equates to the same objective ?

 

Now on a level 3 alert in the South, with associated health risks for the vulnerable.

 

Just got an email from RTC to say my steam trip to Weymouth on the Dorset Coast express next week on Wednesday 24th has just gone down the Toilet Starting to get fed up with the weather now. My next trip in early August is also starting to look iffy.

 

Aren't we all! But no real end in sight.

 

Lineside fire near Westbury this evening

 

I would not believe the long range forecast as they rarely get it right they predicted that this summer would be average enjoy the weather while you can and go on the preserved railways for your steam fix

 

Hardly surprising, as according to the news the idiots are out and about trying to set most of Dorset alight and I doubt Trumpton would be to pleased to be attending lineside fires on top of the heath fires........... the ground is tinder dry, we had a torrential downpour here in Ruislip earlier and its done diddly squat! so I think the right decision has been taken, maybe lack of available diesel/crew is also a factor?

 

One positive in all this - North Yorkshire Moors Railway are permitted to run steam to Whitby despite the nationwide ban, Network Rail have allowed steam services to continue between Grosmont and Whitby

 

Ralph, don't start that one!

The Jacobite is NOT subject to national 'bans', as a local fire-risk assessment is carried out at FW, every day. The localised weather and control measures, which have been in place since the operation began, enable it to be manage entirely independently.

The fire-risk problem is generally greatest at the beginning of the season, before new grass begins growing. Whilst one never says never, it's also been raining (heavily!) in the West Highlands, in the last couple of weeks.

 

Problem there is I don't think it has to be the loco fitted with all the electric gizmo's so much as the leading vehicle, but 99 times out of 100, the loco is leading bar shunting moves.

 

The report Al quoted is only looking 2-3 weeks ahead, and those tend to be reasonably reliable, though written in very general terms. Anything more than 3 weeks, though, is probably pretty fanciful.

 

21st July Waverley now cancelled as per RTC website
http://www.railwaytouring.net/latest/waverley-21st-july-dorset-coast-express-24th-july-cancelled

 

Now now Ralph, are these the same type of MP's who are being recommended for a hefty pay rise because "it's needed so as to attract the right kind of people".
Brain dead some of em, you've started a list there but when you think about it, the list could go on and on and on. "Shut that steel furnace down, we're going home, it's a bit warm".
My youngest lad works for Barclays Corporate banking and was bemoaning the fact that the air con in the office wasn't doing a good job. His daddy took a very dim view of his moaning..........and I told him so. He's earning good money and complaining about the bloody air con.
Just imagine a fireman on a steam loco downing his shovel if it got above 30C. "Too hot, I'm going home"

How did we manage when the whole rail system was steam haulage?
I can understand NR's ban in modern times, for a steam enthusiast (and the railtour companies) it's difficult times, but we can't do anything about it so we'll just have to sit it out, enjoy the sun while we've got it, (costing me a fortune in Factor50 cream for my head).
Wait........I've had a thought..........I'll get the car out and start washing it, that IS GUARANTEED to make it rain. Works every time.