The Fellsman 2018

I agree, but official advice has to cover all eventualities and that includes the well meaning member of public with no 'common sense'. Railways are dangerous places and no risk assessment would ever condone someone going onto railway land without training - however good the intention.
Moorland fires are different as there aren't any trains about and it is (generally) common land, however, I would still urge caution. We have heard stories in recent days about fire spreading underground through peat and jumping fire breaks. Wind can spread fire far quicker than you can run. What appears to be a small incident can very quickly escalate and overwhelm or trap someone. Also professionals will ensure a fire is out properly with no risk of it restarting.
Common sense is an increasingly rare commodity, anyone listening to radio 2 yesterday would have heard about the gentleman who decided to walk up the hill into one of the largest fires in decades in order to video it, then became overwhelmed by smoke and required rescuing himself. These are the sorts of people officials have to factor in when doing risk assessments and issuing advice..

 

But what do you do if a spark flies out of the chimney as the train passes you and you know that by quick action, it is possible to stop what is just a few blades of burning grass becoming a serious conflagration. but it means trespassing and the line in question is electrified with a third rail? (although in the case of an incident I know about where this happened, it was not necessary to cross the track - the burning blades of grass were situated between the photographer and the nearest track.)

 

I have in the past and would not hesitate in the future to jump over the fence to put out a fire, once it gets a hold there's no knowing where it will stop as the good folk in the NW are finding out, although the fires are not railway related. The third rail is not a problem if you keep well clear of it. The inbuilt human survival instinct is an autopilot version of a risk assessment.

 

The video linked from post #103 shows the RAF people coming to the lineside and then one of them having crossed the line to use a beater. Were they wearing high-viz? No. Were they trained to go trackside? Unlikely. Had someone called a signalman to stop all traffic while they dealt with the fire? Perhaps. Anyway they clearly did the right thing under the circumstances.

 

Lancaster - Hellifield Fellsman being worked by solo 33207 today, Tues 10th. AFAIK Leander will join at Hellifield. AN

 

Is that a confirmed sighting for the solo 33? I only ask a TOPS list I have seen shows the 33 + 37706.

I'd be pleasantly surprised if its just a 33 on it own.

Thanks

 

Yes. Was just 33207 at Clitheroe

 

Thanks Cal.N hopefully it remains solo & I'll get out for it tonight on its return

 

AFAIK 37706 escorted Leander from Carnforth to Hellifield. Dunno whether 33 or 37 will work return Fellsman from Hellifield. AN

 

But with different headcodes for different workings. AN

 

My mates footage at Aisgill with 5690 getting a slight push !

 

Thanks for the updates.

Just for info 33207 was already stabled in the south side loop waiting for the train when I arrived at Hellifield station.

As can be seen above 37706 & Leander arrived & with the support coach detached from the train & was replaced with 33207 which then headed the train onwards to Lancaster via Blackburn etc.

For those of us also interested in the diesel traction, this provided a rare solo outing for a WCRC 33, certainly up north anyway. The bonus being it wasn't 33029 which has just done a week on the Windermere job earlier this month!!

 

Every non rain cloud has a silver lining ...or so it seems!

 

Indeed John I'm just as interested in 'modern' traction as steam traction so I was happy enough.

I say modern.......33207 was new in March 62 so it's 56 years old!!

 

Confirm Leander + 47237 + load 11 today, 24th. AN

 

Cumwhinton on the return today...


https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/42711994105/

 

Works well in B&W Ian , looks like it’s very overgrown now .

 

Thanks Stephen. Yes, it is a bit, but it wouldn't take much to flatten a pathway to the more usual spot closer to the fence end.

 

Just need Noah type rain then lol