Fire Risk

When I was a kid there were still thousands of steam locomotives on the network, working day in and day out, without diesel assistance. I know that we have the effects of climate change and this year an unprecedented hot, dry summer, but back in the day there were plenty of summers that, these days, would have brought about an immediate steam ban. The elephant in the room is Network Rail's (and their predecessor's) chronic mismanagement of the lineside environment. You only have to look back at books of photographs taken before the end of steam to see the main reason for today's problems. There wouldn't be the same fire risk if the network was managed as it was in those days.

 

It's not just fire risk, look at vegetation strikes are affecting some of the rolling stock, it won't be long before a window is broken and then maybe something will be done.