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LE movements, ECS and test runs 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by henrywinskill, Dec 31, 2025.

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  1. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Be difficult to blame the steam for today’s fire on the WCML though. All steam seems to have ran round no issue.
     
    2857Harry, Jul 11, 2026 at 6:21 PM
    #321
  2. andyjhatton

    andyjhatton New Member

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    As somebody sat on the VT train to Birmingham. I did briefly start to sing "we didn't start the fire"

    You've got to find humour in these moments
     
    andyjhatton, Jul 11, 2026 at 6:29 PM
    #322
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  3. Shep Woolley

    Shep Woolley Part of the furniture Friend

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    Chairmans Train LE 1NP.jpg

    SRWC class No. 34046 'Braunton' workingg through Beckfoot on the approach to Grayrig and back to Crewe
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2026 at 10:06 PM
    Shep Woolley, Jul 11, 2026 at 9:35 PM
    #323
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  4. 45698Mars

    45698Mars Member

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    I was hoping to catch 7029 with the return Cathedrals Express this evening but, thanks to the signalling problems caused by a lineside fire near Acton Bridge, she was held at Huyton for around 2 hours. I did however catch a shot of her at Whiston, on the back of the ECS returning to Lime Street from Warrington after turning and servicing.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/55387788440/in/photostream/
     
    45698Mars, Jul 11, 2026 at 9:52 PM
    #324
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  5. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

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    Support crew of Tornado at NVR have said that a steam ban on the network is coming in to effect midnight and so it will be heading to Darlington tonight.
     
    Wagoniester, Jul 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM
    #325
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  6. TH Railway Videos

    TH Railway Videos Member

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    After an overnight stay in Welwyn, 34028 Eddystone and coaching stock from yesterdays White Rose gets a lift with 47802 back to Southall on headcode 5Z58, seen at Hatfield IMG_6226.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
    TH Railway Videos, Jul 12, 2026 at 12:21 PM
    #326
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  7. sunstream

    sunstream Member Friend

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    Last edited: Jul 12, 2026 at 12:55 PM
    sunstream, Jul 12, 2026 at 12:34 PM
    #327
  8. Scrat

    Scrat New Member

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    Will be very easy to blame steam for the fire, and they have recorded such in the NR daily national log.
    A steam loco went past and within minutes the line side is a blaze, not rocket science to figure that one out….
     
    Scrat, Jul 12, 2026 at 12:49 PM
    #328
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  9. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    acorb, Jul 12, 2026 at 12:57 PM
    #329
  10. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    And at the time of posting I was not aware of the closeness of the steam passing, and the fire starting. So apologies for not being psychic. Hindsight and the benefit of more knowledge (From a source which clearly states the info isn’t to be shared) are clearly a wonderful thing.
     
    2857Harry, Jul 12, 2026 at 12:59 PM
    #330
  11. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    Percy Bysshe Shelley ended his poem, Ode to the West Wind on an optimistic note with the well known line, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? Network Rail end their, Ode to the Fire Risk Level not unsurprisingly, much more pessimistically, If Red is here, can Black be far behind? Evidently not!

    Let's hope that the impending steam ban is short lived. Everyone needs to get out and wash the car, clean the windows, dance naked at midnight, whatever it takes to encourage the rain to fall. :Drowning:
     
    Oswald T Wistle, Jul 12, 2026 at 2:04 PM
    #331
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  12. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    There's currently a Class 66 waiting at Orton Mere to take Tornado back to Darlington, whilst as I type it's just about to leave Wansford.

    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U89290/2026-07-12/detailed

    Edit: 20.32, just arrived at Orton Mere.

    Edit again: 20.43, departed Orton Mere and I swear Tornado's crew have just taken a pizza on to the footplate!:D
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2026 at 8:44 PM
    The Green Howards, Jul 12, 2026 at 8:02 PM
    #332
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  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    There is an irony here that will escape NR. As a non-engineer, I may be wrong on this but....

    If a loco works LE, it burns fuel as normal and the blast helps ensure all is good in ashpans etc. If a loco is hauled LE, it still needs a fire but may not be burning fuel in the same way and may be accumulating cinders and partially burnt coal that may find their way out of the loco.

    So if poor old 44871 was at fault it may be that the rules of engagement set by NR actually made the move more risky.

    A tricky one, eh?
     
    Big Al, Jul 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
    #333
  14. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I suspect that was the issue, looking at video's on line (yeah I know not the most accurate observation technique) the five was just being hauled in steam and appeared to be doing nothing (albeit I assume regulator needs to be at least cracked for lubrication) whereas Braunton was leading (and leaving Lancaster the sound seemed to be suggesting some work being done) so I assume that driver has to be nominally in charge of the train and thus has to be powering at least to some degree (And controlling the brakes I assume)?
     
    GWR4707, Jul 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
    #334
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  15. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Indeed, though the operator, as "engineers", would be cognisant of the potential effect you describe of towing a steam loco in light steam 'dribbling' hot cinders randomly onto the trackbed.
    So NR regional controllers mandate a towed steam loco, responsibility for mitigation remains with the operator, surely? Basic risk assessment principles, if the hazard can't be eliminated and the likelihood is high ....... ?
     
    26D_M, Jul 13, 2026 at 11:21 AM
    #335
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