Fire Risk and Preserved Lines

As suggested

Whats the current situation?

I was in Porthmadog over Easter when thankfully it rained so the Ffestiniog ran steam but what about elsewhere?

 

Excellent to start a thread here, many thanks.

I was at the Kent and East Sussex Railway yesterday, Saturday 10 May, from 13.15 to 16.30 and both afternoon returns from Tenterden to Bodiam ran with steam (76017) as booked.

But as the clear blue sky days continue we will, I am sure, be in a changing situation so it would be a good idea to make contact with the railway before a visit.

They also have what seems to be an active FB page at https://www.facebook.com/KentandEastSussexRailway/

Bryan

 

ELR is diesel this weekend. Ffestiniog is diesel but Welsh Highland is steam. VoR is diesel. NYMR is diesel.

 

WSR was running normally yesterday, one steam and one diesel. No suggestion of substitution on agenda and a couple of burnt patches visible (none large that I saw).

 

I'm not sure what this is supposed to exemplify but to me all it does is that railways run through differing types of countryside with different types of lineside vegetation and different levels of gradients. I have no quibble with the NYMR mitigating its fire risk where necessary, where I differ is in it throwing in the towel completely and going all-diesel, where in the past diesel piloting between Goathland and Levisham proved to be just as effective and would normally require only one extra crew, but would appease visitors who want and expect steam haulage and walk away if only diesel is on offer.

 

Even if it can't be proved it's reasonable assumption that the NYMR caused the recent fire that decimated 120 acres of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. If it is prosecuted and shown to have been reckless the fine could be up to £20k in the magistrates court and unlimited in the crown court. The tinder dry state of the vegetation is so extreme that taking a fire across the Moors could well be seen as reckless. Even if the steam engine is coasting there is still the possibility of a source if ignition dropping from the ashpan. It's incredibly frustrating but, fortunately, however high the financial pressure to take risks, the railway's leadership are acting prudently. Diesel piloting between Levisham amd Goathland was an option for one of the less extreme Firecon conditions but by any measure the current protracted lack of rain is very extreme requiring the highest all diesel Firecon response.

 

I should have added that the additional challenge faced by the NYMR is that its trackbed and large areas of adjacent land are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Damaging them by reckless behaviour is a criminal offence. Without that designation the Railway Fires Act 1905 (as amended) would probably apply. That limits liability for damage caused to agricultural crops to £3k so the potential financial consequences of running steam are much less.

 

I replied to the other NYMR topic where one of the posters made reference to areas that there is no vehicle access, have you looked at the possibility of specialist vehicles with fogging units at all?

We have done some training for one of our customers who runs an 8x8 skid steer ATV which has a demountable fogging unit for firefighting which is ideal for moorland and upland fires- there's very few places it can't go with a skilled operator.

Chris

 

ELR diesel next weekend too

 

Bluebell was all steam this weekend (three locos in traffic).

Tom