Fire Risk

All very strange.

 

Hi,

Does anyone know what the fire risk is likely to be for Thursday to Saturday?

There are supposed to be a number of steam charters trundling around however the weather looks absolutely horrendous (not a fan of the heat and this seems never ending!)

Andrew

 

I’ll update in morning as there have been discussions about the current status.

 

Next five days taking us to Sunday.
Amber for all notified steam movements.
NW region: Red Thursday. Black Friday to Sunday.

 

So would I right in thinking that only the S&C trips this weekend will run without steam, or will the others likely not run?

 

Thank you Will for this appreciated, if slightly surprising news!

Andrew

 

Cumbrian Mountain will be diesel throughout.
Tornado LE move to London Friday may struggle to run, so that may leave Saturdays White Rose with issues.
Sundays North Wales Coast XP might have issues with steam for the first portion of its journey.

 

Thanks for the update. I was planning on seeing the White Rose and Cumbrian Mountain Express before seeing a mate in Yorkshire. Disappointing but very expected news in this current climate.

 

Many thanks.

It may help if a repeat of the 'table' that showed what each level of fire risk meant could be posted here. I've looked for it but can't find it. From memory Black is no steam at all, Green is no fire risk so normal steam operation. Red I think is mandatory diesel assistance with the steam loco doing almost nothing. And Amber I'm not quite sure about. I think it could mean no mandatory diesel in the formation but with extra checks on the steam loco before and during the trips, but would be grateful for confirmation of that.

We had 23 mm of rain here in mid-Kent (my garden rain gauges) over the weekend. But yesterday a patch of grass on a local open space 'defence' raised section that is uncut, already looked rather dry again. So I wonder what Belmond/MNLPS will need to do tomorrow.

Bryan

 

The region of concern for anyone interested. No.5.

Black means no steam anywhere in that region.

 

Table form is the format I get directly from Network Rail. I’m not prepared to start directly sharing information or copy and paste these documents, however sharing in this simple format of what’s affected by how much is enough advice for the interest of those looking to go and see these trains.
The level of information goes into further detail as to what movements are happening, what mitigation is in place, and even advised changes to the operation. I am in no position to share this information as I all to well know how frustrating and unfair it is for news to get out that isn’t someone’s place to share. Any amendments will first go to passengers from the promoter.

For further info to the status:
Green: Steam ok
Amber: consider use of diesel
Red: diesel assisted steam
Black: no steam

Despite most of the country being in amber, all TOC’s appear to be operating extremely responsibly in this dry spell and operating with a diesel assisting despite guidelines not requiring. We know all too well that it only takes one fire to change things…

 

Thank you for your response, very well put if I may say.

 

Many thanks. The 'table' I referred to is exactly what you have just posted, and presumably what you posted before, but I couldn't find that!

Bryan

 

Thanks for repeating that as I had "lost it" as well.
Although I have absolutely no right to know I would love to understand the " NR logic" that drives the decision.

Down south and east seems to be by far the driest areas, with a few heathland fires down this way. Yet the wettest area (recently) is the only one that is Black.

Confused of Swanage.

 

There are numerous factors and I think not all are being considered on this thread…..

Take Water shortage/drought/whatever we want to call it…..Steam engine sets fire to NW region of which some is now officially in “drought” and under hosepipe ban…..Fire service have to use water to put it out, putting the region more in “drought”. Same for steam engine using water, etc.

Location too……I can’t imagine many places in the NW region that could more easily catch fire are too accessible. I shouldn’t think waste swathes of fire crew are reaching Mallerstang for example.

Local managers could override for numerous reasons. Could be emergencies elsewhere in the region meaning resources are stretched, and they can’t risk steam causing a fire, etc.

Wellfare of crews - It’s 30 plus degrees this weekend. NR have a duty to consider staff as well. I don’t particularly fancy my firing turn on Sunday at the SVR at 25mph. Let alone taking a 5 to North Wales at 75.

There’s so much to consider.

Anyway as I understand it with Black Risk coming in on Friday for NW -

Friday
60163 Carnforth to Southall move cancelled

Saturday
Don’t know what happens to the White Rose now 60163 isn’t moving
English Riviera Express now diesel hauled
Cumbrian Mountain Express now diesel hauled

Sunday
NWCE now diesel hauled

 

I feel sorry for those who have splashed out only to have their day spoilt by being diesel hauled. Appreciate its dry out there and setting light to the UK is not in the interests of steam.

I no longer bother with mainline steam... to many disappointments and wasted cash. Just stick to my local preserved line nowadays.

 

Carnforth - Southall not yet cancelled but as an STP schedule it will be deleted and not cancelled.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58098/2025-07-11/detailed
Booked via Winsford and Bicester Town/Village/London Road/shopping complex.

Cheers, Neil

 

Thanks Harry, your updates are appreciated.