Fire Risk

Absolutely so - here in Surrey we had a very wet winter too, which has stood us in good stead regarding water supplies now. I think, away from the SW, it has been generally exceptionally dry since late winter and there are now reports that it is expected to be the driest spring ever recorded over most of England.

 

https://www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/your-water-supply/your-reservoirs/reservoir-levels/

Here's a sitrep for the North West, just as an example. I believe the situation at Thirlmere is unprecedented for this time of year.

 

North West now Black from this weekend until further notice.

 

As of yesterday North West is Black fire risk, but the rest of the country is Amber. Quite frankly seems a little crazy that just one specific region can be black, and yet no others are even red now. Map to show North West region attached.

If I was one of those who likes a good theory it seems very targeted towards 10A…..

 

Has not the NW region always been more steam averse? I seem to remember a few times where they were way out of step with the other regions.

 

Looking at the Bank Holiday forecast and beyond... We will be praying for sunshine again before long!!
Bank Holiday, half term, test match cricket - all far more effective than a rain dance.

 

Railway Herald reporting that Wednesday's Edinburgh Summer Explorer cancelled due to fire risk.

Update from Saphos website, will run but with diesel haulage throughout.

As a result of the prolonged period of extremely dry weather in recent weeks, Network Rail have now imposed a full ban on Steam Locomotive operations within their Northwest Zone of the network due to the increased fire risk. Our train will still operate as scheduled to the confirmed timings and route. However, the train will now be hauled by our preserved heritage diesel locomotives throughout. – Guests booked on this journey should check their email inbox for more detailed information.

 

Crewe is also in that region, and so a theory to target 10A would be reaching....even for the realms of this forum!

I suspect it will be more down to duration without rain compared to other regions, topography perhaps meaning that railway lines in the NW can often run rather far from suitable road access should a lineside fire need dealt with in comparison to other regions, and then indeed the frequency of which steam railtours occur in a specific region. Even the general awareness that windspeeds tend to be higher in the North and West of the country, adding to the threat of accelerated spread should a fire occur.

An even greater look beyond steam, service resilience on the WCML has been pretty shoddy of late. Perhaps that region is being more risk averse to ensure the greater majority of the traffic flow have one less issue to impede their travels?

 

Only part of that I would dispute is the two words "of late"

 

And of course, there will always be those, in NR control centres who see steam not as an asset, to travel, and use on the network, but as an out dated throwback, that causes them headaches, because it means having to create special paths etc, and who will jump at any chance to limit it on the part of the network they are responsible for. we live in risk adverse times, I can understand that, but if its just one region, and everywhere else is still open to steam, and the risk isn't any greater , why aren't the tour operators changing destinations, or at least the steam leg, if that can be done?

 

Before considering *too* many conspiracy theories and throwing the blame around, it might be worth remembering that the UK has different regions which havd different weather, temperatures, timing of the seasons, vegetation, and infrastructure.

 

Nail on head here and definitely far more pragmatic than some other wild theories going around!!
They are also probably feeling bruised from the Cumbrian Coast going up in flames a few weeks ago - with no significant rain since why would they reduce restrictions? If there was a repeat rightly questions would be asked.
There is plenty of rain in the forecast from next week, so operators have light at the end of the tunnel, but first and foremost the regions need to protect their assets and regular customers.

 

Thing is there was some rain (and in fact hail) in Cumbria last evening, but a) it was nowhere near as prolonged as forecast and b) incredibly localised so for instance here we were forecast some, we heard some thunder, there was some c.3 miles away but nothing here!

Which no doubt was all down to WCR.....

 

North West Black status dropped by Saturday, will be red for one day before reverting to Amber. Southern, Wales and Western all green on Sunday.
Diesel assisted steam remains in situ however.

 

A good level of rain looked to have fallen over Kent and Sussex last night; source (as well as the clouds in the sky) https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/ma...34375],[64.69910544204765,38.18847656250001]]

7 mm rain at home in my rain gauges here in mid Kent overnight.

Bryan

 

Decent amount of rain here in Hellifield overnight, more showers forecast and then heavier rain overnight again tonight, however the local rivers, especially the Aire and the Ribble have been reduced to little more than flowing puddles and a lot more rain is needed before any discernible difference will be apparent. Thank God for Bank Holiday W/E, Half-term and the start of Test Cricket!

 

People say about Bank Holidays bringing rain but Test cricket always seems the best trigger

Jon

 

Jon, you called it. Test match brings rain… England won before the rain sets in - but it’s looking sketchy for the ODI!

Rain brings with it a majority Green status across the country. A smuttering of ambers here and there for the next five days.

 

Currently visiting Porthmadoc, drove over yesterday.

I would expect given the rain that has fallen in the last 24 hours that restrictions over here will be easing.

They aren’t quite lining up animals in pairs, but it’s getting that way.

Chris

 

Linda was on the Woodland Wanderer on Saturday with Garratt 138 on the Harbourmaster.