List of steam operations suspended due to fire risk

At the risk of being thought provocative can it be argued that all this palaver makes a case for spark arresters plus re-draughting if necessary? Some of the steepest steam powered railways in the U.K. continue to run with coal fuelled motive power.

P.H.

 

As Dan says, still steam-powered down here at Swanage, although even the local news cameramen have been out sampling how warm it is on the footplate! Even for a fan of OVSB, these aren't the sort of days I want to be on a Bulleid...

 

The West Somerset is still running a full steam service, and I don't think there has been any recent problem with lineside fires. Ashpans are sprayed with water before/after every trip, and are emptied after every round trip. I rather suspect that chimney sparks are less of a problem with Welsh coal.
Train loads have been reduced where feasible, but there have still been some 8 coach trains.

 

Theres a picture in Saturdays Daily Mail of a member of the footplate crew on the Swanage Railway cooling off under the water column standing next to what looks like a standard tank locomotive.

 

The Foxfield Railway ran its steam gala over the weekend BUT staff walked the line between Foxfield and Dilhorne after every train up the bank to put out any fires. During my visit on Saturday i saw only minor fires which took only minutes to put out.

 

Normal with a locomotive named "Freshwater"! hmmmmmm

 

'The Strathspey Railway has been running steam services for many years taking special precautions during hot, dry spells. Unfortunately, on Saturday a lineside fire, looks to have been caused by the last service of the day returning to Aviemore form Boat of Garten at 4.15pm. The fire, near Granish Moor, spread into the nearby woodland owned by Strathspey Estate but, thanks to the actions of local fire and rescue services working with railway staff and volunteers, the extent of the fire was contained to an area of about 400 yards by 300 yards at ground level. On Sunday, while the area was being monitored, the wind got up and this caused smouldering ground areas to realight so the fire service, staff and volunteers once again set about dousing many areas with water. A diesel-hauled service train had to be halted at Boat of Garten Station and 52 passengers were transferred back to Aviemore by taxi and a bus kindly loaned by the Boat of Garten Hotel.

When hot, dry conditions prevail, footplate firemen take care to manage the locomotive’s fire in a way that the likelihood of sparks is significantly reduced. In the last week, the Railway has had “firewatch” rota with staff and volunteers checking along the line after the passing of a service train. The railway uses its own rail-borne water tank/hoses, always on stand-by, to help put any fires out. The vast majority of the public want to travel on a steam-hauled train but, regrettably, the railway will be operating with diesel-hauled trains until this hot spell is over.

The Railway’s Operations Director, Mr Brian Tolson, said “I have given instructions that we are to run a diesel only service until further notice. We will not run steam again until there is a major change in the weather. We have decided not to run a 10.30 or 12.30 service on Monday as we expect to be back and forwards with the water train several times to continue damping down. This is all very unfortunate during our peak period but we have a responsibility to our customers, our employees, our volunteers, our local communities and to the SFRS to take the correct action. We very much regret the damage to the woodland buti t fortunately did not spread up to tree-top level.” '

 

Official now - http://www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/dnn/OurNews.aspx

 

Just changed it now.

 

I was visiting the Bluebell this afternoon and the guard told me that they had had to deal with 4 or 5 small lineside fires today, all of which were dealt with by the loco crew without assistance.

 

BB locos used to carry portable pumps on their tenders.

Do they still do that?

Some years ago my dear old friend 'Fred' whilst working for BB track maintenance had a 'controlled burn' at the foot of the bank.

Popes Wood still bears the scars.

 

Yes...

Tom

 

Don't the Garratt's retain oil firing ?, sure I remember seeing in the NG section they would be "mobile flame throwers" on coal.

 

No, not now. All have been converted to coal (cheaper) and fitted with decent spark arrestors.

Steve B

 

Visiting the MHR today. I can't see the steam ban finishing soon. The banks are still very dry and large areas of grass has gone a golden brown in colour. I also see there is now a 10 mph speed restriction between Medstead & Four Marks station and Brick Kiln lane bridge due to the track becoming distorted by the hot weather.