Fire Risk

You can go through there, but not stop...

 

As much to the point, the station stop's been removed to allow trains to keep time on an extended 40mph TSR, and there are apparently other issues with clay soils west of Salisbury (I've heard mention of Tisbury). Capacity may therefore be an issue when trying to run a tour through the area.

 

Although that has been an area of issue for NR for a while. Does show how little flexibility exists on that line due to the long single sections that the timetable cannot cope with about an extra 3 or 4 minutes added to it each time a train needs to call.

 

No great surprise really. The soil at the edge of our lawn where it meets the patio is usually level with the slabs. Until last weekend, the bottoms of the slabs were visible in places, so it had sunk almost two inches. It's a lot better now but it's still a trip hazard.

 

The next problem is when it is too wet and the cracked dry soil can't absorb the water which erodes the cracks and leaves a wet slurry as a lubricant at the bottom of the slope ...... I seem to recall that was part of the problem with the earth slip in Newnham cutting near Hook a few years ago.

Cheers, Neil

 

Yes, this doesn't read well from the link that has been posted earlier.

SWR and Network Rail warned additional restrictions and timetable changes are likely to be necessary on the line between Salisbury and Axminster over the summer as dry weather continues.

Which brings into sharp focus Big Al's comment about a heavy steam loco running on that section, that even if permitted at that weight, could be subject to more, longer and slower speed restrictions than a demu. Which brings your comment about capacity issues very much into play.

Bryan

 

They are, which is why services aren't stopping at Crewkerne for now.

 

Any "spare" capacity on the West of England line seems to be used for Rail Head Treatment Trains, which is why there are no tours down there between early October and early December. Even 10 years ago getting engineering trains down there for weekend possessions was rather difficult with trains being held in loops for the last up passenger trains to run.

The other difficulty is that certain loops (Tisbury, Gillingham, Chard Jn and Honiton) are short which means crossing trains have to be exact times. A late train obviously affects the train in the opposite direction which is replicated at each short loop where trains cross. Long Loops like Templecombe - Yeovil Jn and Axminster allow passing movements where any delays are minimised as both trains keep moving. The one advantage nowadays is all WTT trains have the same performance. In the early 1990's as the 159's were being introduced there were three different train loads for diesels hauled trains plus DMU's all with different section running times.

Cheers, Neil

 

Thanks for that Niel. A far, far cry from the days of that being a main route to the West for those in the South East - via Waterloo of course. And then the wr got their hands on it.

But, amazingly in the heritage era and not that many years ago (the most recent in 2021) I've timed three non stop runs behind Clan Line from Sherborne to Salisbury. On two of those days when service trains were disrupted anyway, and maybe someone in control decided it was best to keep a very heavy steam hauled train running, rather than delay things even more by trying to fit us in the loops/Gillingham as scheduled. So, and I think this is the case for those runs, two service trains were held in the loops/Gillingham to give us right of passage, albeit with some checks. The best was a 38 and a half minute net time for the 35 and a half miles. With a 12 coach train equivalent to 13 in 1960s terms, and with a very difficult start from Sherborne; the first 2 and a half miles mainly at 1/80 up. That meant we were nearly 15 early into Salisbury, and well clear of all the 'shenanigans' going on behind us!

With the change of who promotes Clan Line's trips, the loss of MK1s and the inherent issues with operating a very heavy steam hauled train over that still partly 'destroyed' route I can't see me ever timing 35028 over that section non-stop, or at any time at all west of Salisbury again.

Bryan

 

It’s now a week since the last update of NR fire risk status, I wonder if one of our valued sources could confirm the current level particularly in the NW. I realise that this is perhaps of more academic than practical interest. Thanks in anticipation.

 

Tomorrow gives us a five day forecast to Sunday, bear with.

 

Fire risk is a good mix of Green and Amber nationwide for the next five days.

The booked steam moves are largely those heading to Derby, and under guidance, none are required to have diesel assistance unless additional diesels are attending as part of the same move (with the exception of Flying Scotsman).
All charters in this forecast period are set to include a diesel as standard operating practises or operational requirements.

 

Nationwide Amber for all notified steam movements in next 5 days forecast.

 

Thanks Will. These updates are much appreciated.

 

Agree this fire risk versus rainfall assessment is very complex.

It’s not just the volume, intensity and timing of rainfall. It’s also about the sort of vegetation along the route. (Trees, if alive, are actually not very combustible, neither is live, green grassy stuff. Taller weeds on the other hand catch fire easily if dead, and such fires can spread quickly).

Then there is the nature of the soil. Peaty stuff is notorious for being able to burn, even under the surface. Once started, it would be possible for such a fire to spread if most of the actual vegetation on top was damp.

So an unenviable decision for NR and heritage lines. And they have to carefully consider the whole of a route.

 

I understand that the Watercress Line is now using Diesel motive power for the section between Ropley and Alton due to the dry conditions. They are currently operating a Thomas event with Thomas/Dave still in use between Ropley and Alresford.

Edit: Apologies, as I have posted this in the wrong fire risk thread.
Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

I believe D8059 is doing most of the work on the shuttles - Thomas/Dave/Linda is just along for the ride.