The Impact of the Heatwave on Heritage Railways

Any news of changes due to the heatwave, in particular the substitution of diesel for steam as a result of the heatwave.

 

I'm thinking back to images on the big railway from those memorable 70s summers, of rails buckled by the heat.

 

I guess it may become an issue if we get close to the levels at the weekend some of the weather models are forecasting that diesels need to be substituted.
Mainline steam of course is a different issue from both a fire risk and a speed restriction issue. The first DCE is next week and is currently planned with two steam locos of course.
Even last weekend the TOC websites were warning of heat related delays so no idea what will happen this weekend. I do not understand enough what "power" NR have but as we have seen again today airports, they NATS and others have the ability to restrict airline schedules to protect the whole operation during weather and other events. Do NR have the ability to say to TOC's remove as an example 15% of your services and also we do not want to accept any charters even diesel ones?

 

I am very surprised that NR hasn’t yet imposed a steam ban. Swanage has

 

Is that from tomorrow Don I have been watching the TDF. 257 still running the last service today at the moment.

 

Having just seen the website update now and it is Friday to Monday I wonder if that is more of an H & S issue from the heat for the crews than a specific fire risk, which of course has been high in Purbeck generally for some time.

 

Currently planning to substitute diesel for steam in some part/full:
Amerton
Avon Valley
Bodmin & Wenford
Churnet Valley
East Lancashire
Ecclesbourne Valley
Epping Ongar
Mid Norfolk
Midsomer Norton
Nene Valley
North Norfolk
Paignton and Dartmouth
Severn Valley
Swanage

Adjusting Services:
North Yorkshire Moors

Suspending services:
Swindon & Cricklade (16/17)
East Somerset (Dining Service Sunday 17)

Anyone seen any more?

 

SVR have just announced all services diesel hauled until at least Tuesday, though footplate rides available at Bridgnorth for Freedom of the Line ticket holders.

 

Nene Valley is going diesel this coming weekend.

 

I haven't seen any others yet but the Watercress Line will fortunately be operating Diesels anyway as it is the Diesel Gala this weekend. Not sure if Diesel operations will continue the following week. I wonder if the Bus Rally at Alton on Sunday will be affected though as it gets very hot anyway in Anstey park. Also the roads melting might cause problems for the Buses going out on excursions in the local area.

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Half of the MHR gala this weekend is electric!

 

Quite right! It has been a long, very hot day. I totally forgot about the electric units.

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Surprising really the Golden hind tomorrow is going out with 2 locos.
It's not rained for a while,
Hopefully nothing bad happens, can see the 47 doing a lot of work over the banks.

Last thing thats needed in the heat is trains delayed due to lineside fires.

 

Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
·

Following a lineside fire on Sunday 10th July, which required multiple fire appliances to extinguish we have taken the decision to not operate steam locomotives until further notice.

We keep a regular dialogue with the fire service, and given the exceptionally dry conditions, we are unable to mitigate the risk sufficiently at this time.

We will keep this under daily review and will reintroduce steam locomotive operated services as soon as possible.

Having already cut back some steam services due to the ongoing coal situation in the UK, we are disappointed that we are currently unable to operate any steam service.

 

Post updated. I'm sure I saw one last night that cancelled services this weekend altogether but cannot remember which line it was.

 

Swindon and Cricklade

 

Severn Valley are operating a totally diseasel service until and including Tuesday. There will also be fewer services at the weekend with a Table A service in operation. The only steam will be a locomotive undertaking footplate rides within the station limits of Bridgnorth.

 

I recall many years ago, a farmer attempted to claim compensation from the Nene Valley for fire damaged crops. Unfortunately for him, his allegation coincided with a diesel weekend and the matter was referred to the constabulary as fraud.

 

East Lancs and Amerton have announced that they'll be diesel only for the rest of this week.

 

Bodmin and Wenford , diesel service but only on Sunday for some reason. Half price fares offered.