Steam Ban Nationwide

Rain? ..... in Blaenau Ffestiniog?

 

Already a contradiction, with Steam charter operator, doesn't sound too welcoming for whatever Diesel Tours they are planning,
Setting your stall out to upset half the market isn't the greatest of business strategy,

Well unless they want us to keep our cash in our pockets,

Doesn't sound as welcoming as pathfinder for example

"Pathfinder Tours prides itself as one of the nation’s leading names in UK rail travel by special train. We organise up to 40 day excursions every year, as well as a number of weekend trips, travelling to many interesting destinations and events. Some customers just love to travel in our comfortable carriages; others have a real passion for the locomotives, steam or diesel. Many travel with us time and time again - we’d love to welcome you on board too!"

 

For some strange reason I'm getting a feeling of deja vu here. Haven't we heard similar ramblings from another member, or should I say, ex member? <BJ>

 

Back to steam tomorrow with 5199. It rained here in Llangollen during last night & has just been raining again with more expected later.

Bob.

 

Think now is a good time to thank the Diesel groups of various preserved lines, for stepping up and rescuing the day, They normally get little thanks, So nows a good time to thank them,

 

Quite right. Unfortunately the Llangollen announcement fails to thank our little group! Considering we have around 8 drivers for the diesel locos, we've managed to do almost everything asked of us during a very busy time of year. 16 days of diesel running, 2 locos out each day of 2 weekends and an evening train on one of the weekends. Not bad going really!

 

Exactly its a shame that some railways seem to use the diesels on their lines, Then treat owners groups like social leapers , even when they have saved the day again, sometimes at short notice,

 

The ELR are running steam this weekend (6990).

 

Hello Iain,

I'll thank you then ! I also thanked Mark when I passed him earlier. Your group has really helped the railway out over the last couple of weeks & your efforts are much appreciated by the management.

Bob.

 

From tomorrow, the SVR is reintroducing steam with 2 steam + 1 diesel Thursday and Friday.

 

Guess what - here in the sunniest county on the UK mainland, it has actually been raining for about four hours - not bucketing down by any means and my lawn still looks rather parched, but the rain is most welcome nonetheless.

I doubt if it will make any difference to 60009's trip to Bournemouth,which needs a diesel anyway due to the lack of any turning facilities n the area. but at least I can have a day's break from watering the garden. One must be grateful for small mercies!

 

You have to run diesels in this weather if you start a fire in a farmers field you going to have to pay him for any lost income from burnt crops and the fire brigade will charge the railway for coming out and putting the fire out don't forget the fire brigade can charge a business if it starts a fire like a spark coming from a steam train and the police can say no more steam there was a big fire in a farmers field next to the GCR and the police said no steam

 

Saying that the dining train on the GCR last sunday was diesel assist and there was still a lineside fire

And buy the way how many preserved locos running on heritage rail and main line are fitted with Spark arrestors I know Oliver Cromwell is

 

Meanwhile, I note that the ECML was royally fouled up between Doncaster and York by lineside fires last night, rumour has it due to binding brakes on a freight train.

 

Well we need to ban all freight trains then....

 

I believe spark arresting equipment is compulsory for any steam loco to be passed for main line running.

 

I don't know if the number of line side fires have decreased over the years on preserved railways but I have always had the feeling they should. Partly because of better spark arresters or ensuring ash pans were in good condition but mainly because of smoking bans etc. I have often wondered if many of the line side fires blamed on steam locos were actually from passengers flicking out cigarette butts. From memory the FR still had the odd line side fire when they were using oil and this was put down to stray cigarette ends.

 

I have visited two preserved lines in the last few weeks and there was evidence of lineside blazes and at least one field fire

 

Mr Bulleid's Turf Burner was supposed to be rather good at starting line side fires, so good it was even capable from doing it from Inchicore works when tucked up there and not even lit up!