Open or Closed during Emergency?

Indeed I would say the rate of decay is far greater when laid up due to sulphurous fuel in damp areas externally and salts/scale internally so coal fired boilers even worse. And as Steve has said, difficult to properly. I was involved in lay up of quite a few steam and motor ships with Radiant, D type and small low pressure less than 250 psi fire tube packaged boilers in the 70s and to combat corrosion all water tube boilers were totally opened up ( as well as steam and condensate systems) and dried out. These operated on very good quality water so no scale and one would hope a thin layer of black magnatite from the water treatment in the drums and tubes. The engine and boiler rooms were sealed and dehumidified to less than 40% ( contract target) with aim of less than 30% RH. Took a month of intensive activity per ship normally before owners crew could leave. Packaged fire tube boilers were either treated the same or fully filled right up to the stop valves with treated water. Ship was then sealed up tight and dehumidified in all machinery spaces and accommodation and we accessed once a week to run a containerised diesel generator plonked on the deck to keep the dehumidified levels to contract levels. Native watchkeepers had a tent awning on deck and mainly lived off fish and rain water.
Can't see how you can get a loco coal fired boiler to same state for layup without major expense and resource - need to descale water side, fully clean out fire boxes smoke boxes, wire brush tubes, remove superheater elements etc..

 

[QUOTE="gwilialan, post:
OH, Just one more thing... Anyone going to volunteer to start listing the sites once they start announcing their opening dates...? Thought not...
Self isolation? No trains? for how long?[/QUOTE]
I notice the Swanage Railway website is optimistic in saying May 1st
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
Looks like the Government will review restrictions in 3 weeks, but depending on various factors could last well into the summer?

 

I notice the Swanage Railway website is optimistic in saying May 1st
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
Looks like the Government will review restrictions in 3 weeks, but depending on various factors could last well into the summer?[/QUOTE]

Well I know that the KESR website already says everything cancelled until the end of June, that's 14 weeks away. To be reviewed regarding after that, so that's probably the whole summer service gone.

(Locos have been or are being drained down for storage, just as they would be for the winter)

 

I notice the Swanage Railway website is optimistic in saying May 1st
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
Looks like the Government will review restrictions in 3 weeks, but depending on various factors could last well into the summer?[/QUOTE]

I know that it's very sad, but it looks like being the end of the summer.

On a purely personal note, my two or three days a month "working on the railway" was a break from the daily grind of bus-driving. Living alone I shall find it hard having no relief other than sitting at home on my rest days. But that is what is necessary to see this through properly.

 

A question of other railways - how many have closed their loco works completely? Are any still open doing commercial work even after last night’s further lockdown?

 

Llangollen have shut down completely according to an email sent out last evening.

 

I know that it's very sad, but it looks like being the end of the summer.

On a purely personal note, my two or three days a month "working on the railway" was a break from the daily grind of bus-driving. Living alone I shall find it hard having no relief other than sitting at home on my rest days. But that is what is necessary to see this through properly.[/QUOTE]

What are you doing with the boat?

 

What are you doing with the boat?[/QUOTE]

I had previously planned on going to the marina today. Intending to run the engines for a while, as they'd not been used for more than a month, and then leave the shore power lead connected to keep the batteries charged. That was with a view to actually going out next weekend which should be my long weekend rest.

With the travel restrictions ( and advice from Marina ) I just asked the staff there to connect the shore power for me t keep the batteries charged.

I can't see me getting out on the water for a while.

Some boaters are already out at sea, and as such isolated from the rest of us. I have seen a f/b post from the Channel
Isles asking leisure boaters not to visit.

 

You omitted to add "... at the earliest".
Basically, like most/all other heritage railways, the railway is closed indefinitely as updated at 09:00 yesterday.
We just hope that it is not "permanently" however !