Steam Ban Nationwide

I rarely book on steam tours running during the summer months, precisely because of cancellation/diesel haulage due to fire risk. Just wondering if other people do the same.

 

I would be surprised if the current restrictions are not extended. The run of the Cathedrals Express with 60009 and a diesel seems to me to be a sensible compromise and I am sure many eyes are watching.
On another thread I read that NR have a duty to all operators and passengers. I would have thought they also have a duty to safeguard lineside properties and the livelihoods of farmers with fields of ripened crops.

 

I'm out and about next week, just as well I don't mind diesels I guess

 

It's spring and autumn for me. I'd only consider a summer trip on the pay-on-the-day principle and if I knew a given train would run with unaided steam.

I find it particularly frustrating that RTC sticks to the summer months for its Dorset Coast Express repeat runs. When was the last year without the New Forest becoming very dry in the summer? Probably 2012 when it hardly stopped raining all year. Why, oh, why, especially with 31806 now available, can't we have a run to Swanage or Weymouth outside of the summer season? - a time when fire risk is minimal and 31806 could be used to take the train back to Southampton? I find it bizarre that year after year, people are prepared to fill RTC's winter Cumbrian Mountain Expresses which run with a good 300-400 miles of non-steam power, much of which is in complete darkness and which results in an extremely long day out but at the same time, RTC virtually abandons the south of England until summer time. Surely there must be a market for replacing or supplementing one of these CMEs with a steam run down the Bournemouth line - shorter day and, if the 31806 option is taken up, 100% steam. I know that people tend to think of Swanage or Weymouth as summer destinations, but I can't imagine a couple of hours in either of these towns in February is any more unappealing than Carlisle.

 

As a resident of Swanage you are of course right John, Swanage in February is not any more unappealing than Carlisle, (we even both have castles if you include Corfe) although there is far more open in Carlisle of course. I am not sure what 300 people would do on a wet Saturday in Swanage. But as one of my last bosses at British Airways said "it is never about the facts, it is all about perception".
People perceive seaside resorts as summer places, even I said "who wants so go and spend 4 hours in Weymouth in November" when a rescheduled Three Bridges trip went there in November 2016.
My take is a Winter CME (like any CME or CCE) is that it is a one day rail cruise rather than going to a destination, and in the winter the added bonus of a chance of snow on the Fells which looks magic. Also apart from the first couple all the steam is in daylight along with the scenic parts. Yes if you board south of Nuneaton it may be a lot in the dark on the way back, but by then a lot have nodded off anyway.
If you run a DCE in January or February it will all be in the dark on the way back anyway.

 

Completely agree. For me the great thing about the winter CME's is that they leave Carlisle around 1430 so you get all the S&C in daylight, and, as the days lengthen later in winter, much of Hellifield/Blackburn as well. Carlisle is not an inspiring place in mid-winter but it's an ideal 2 hr lunch stop so really no problem.

I've done the odd winter trip in the south, Sherbourne/Yeovil I think the last one was, but when the entire return trip is in darkness that's a big negative for me. I am sure this must be a big factor why the winter CME's run successfully year after year, and I see in the new RTC brochure just received, will run again next Jan/Feb to a similar pattern, with the added bonus that BIL is now listed as potential traction, along with Galatea and Leander. Now that does sound good!

 

Now there's scope for a new thread, what town or city in the UK is ?

 

Edinburgh.... But try get a market from Carlisle or Newcastle to ensure a sensible start and finish time for a winter run would be interesting.....

 

and no risk whatsoever with diesels

 

Since Aviemore posted the highest temperature anywhere in Scotland yesterday (28C!), this from the Stratthspey Railway:-

https://www.facebook.com/Strathspey...86369190408/10156641200595409/?type=1&theater

 

The ~2:30pm departure from Carlisle could now be 3pm if last weekends CME is anything to go by. That would mean a fair bit of the "mountain section" would be in darkness for the first couple of weeks if late Jan / early Feb is the format. It could have been a one off, but it does coincide with the new timetable roll out.

 

We'll said John

 

Back on subject ---

Tuesday 3/7/2018 1Z45 & 1Z47 York - Carlisle and return
Steam sections will be assised by a DL coupled inside the steam loco.
If nothing else that could cause a few delays by complicating the shunting at Hellifield and Carlisle.

The steam ban has been extended Until Further Notice on
WCML and branches, West Midlands, Greater Manchester and Chilterns route into Marylebone.
Wessex Route will be regarded as high fire risk from Monday.

Cheers, Neil

PS I realise that I have just committed the cardinal sin on NP, moving a thread back to it's subject. Sorry!

 

May be a cardinal sin but it's appreciated.

 

We've already addressed that - the assisting diesel will come from Cfth with the steam loco; it won't be the loco off the in-coming charter.

JS

 

And with facts to... don't worry it will never catch on!

 

Any idea on Wales and Borders? Exceptionally dry here in Mid-Wales with serious fire in Rheidol valley. Can't be looking good for Heart of Wales steam next weekend - not a lot of rain in forecast.

 

Just leave the steam behind and stick a 37 on it!

 

Just out of interest if they go coupled together does that involve any extra track access charge?

 

No - the access charge for charters is by train or train type, whereas all others are by vehicle make-up.

JS