Steam Ban due to fire risk (updates)

I forgot to say, it's on 3rd rail electric territory. So the mind boggles, stray sparks?
Again been confirmed that yesterday was yet another HOTTEST day of the year.

 

Well at least with the emus they'll have to put the diesel on the back, as they can't tuck one in behind the first car!

 

I thought at least one of them used to have Rod Hull at the back!

Sorry..........

 

Tell me about it, I almost died working outside yesterday in full sun all day no shade............................................. the ground temperature must have been somewhere between - 50-60 C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice it was not..........................................................

 

great to see Clan Line running today without assistance.

Also heavy rain is forecast tonight and tomorrow throughout W and S England(possibly excepting far SE) so lets hope things are looking up at last!

 

Just seen latest forecast on BBC Breakfast and the whole of the UK will get substantial rainfall early next week (even Ken will get a soaking late on Monday).

It will scupper the Aussies who are trying to win the 3rd test because Old Trafford looks like it is in for a soaking later today and all day tomorrow. Headline will read "Enland Retain Ashes - thank to good old Manchester Rain"!

 

Secondary headline will read, "It pi.sed down at Old Trafford today. Aussies now crying over losing chance to retain the ashes and because all their Fosters is lying on the outfield"

I'll believe heavy rain here in Mid Kent when I see, hear and feel it. Oh. That puts it in the same class as a Serving Wench.

 

Just checked Monday/Monday nights BBC forecast:

A bright start for eastern counties but cloudier skies, with rain, extending eastwards, turning heavy at times, perhaps with thunder, although still some dry, bright spells likely, especially in Kent.

Just have to hope it was a Michael Fish forecast!

 

The west country is where the steam action is and thankfully where the rain is falling.
Heavy rain forecast until mid afternoon tomorrow. <BJ>

 

So easy for us to forget about the North Ralph!

 

We did a rain dance ....and it worked. <BJ>

 

Not good. The only way to win/retain the ashes is with an outright win. Not with a rain soaked draw.

Back to the rain. All the BBC weather maps etc are now showing virtually the whole country getting a damned good soaking tomorrow. Except for most of Kent.

Hopefully any remaining fire risk measures will be considered for withdrawal after that. There being no steam trips scheduled for Kent for a while yet.

I was out watering the changed bits of my garden again tonight, like yesterday. And I expect to be doing the same tomorrow. Even though I am now on a meter: many parts of Kent are going onto compulsory metering partly because of the lack of rain over many years: with just a few exceptions.

 

Nah, rain will do it, they whine so much louder when they think they have been cheated out of it.

 

It was good to see NR true to their words yesterday morning. BTM was back to being a mecca for steam as 70013 left Platform 3 at 0820 at the head of the Weymouth Train with no diesel with 5029 alongside ready to move the Torbay Stock out as soon as 70013 left. Getting absolutely soaked in Dartmouth was a small price to pay!!

 

A shower reached mid Kent today around 13.45. Very short and a bit sharp.

Just as I was replacing the felt on my garden shed roof.

No rain forecast until 16.00. Nothing on the rainfall radar when I checked. So I did the roof work.

Would you ............. well believe it!

 

Judging by the way the water is pouring out of the sky here in Alton, I would like to think the MHR will be back to steam very soon.

 

Have many Heritage lines operated a no steam policy in dry conditions in the past? I can't say I picked up on these if they did. Don't remember the Severn Valley ever operating a steam ban just for instance.