RTC 2026

Back to my point about red, black and other fire risk levels being inconsistent and often not reflecting realities on the ground. I can't understand why most of England and parts of Scotland have not been under a steam ban in recent days (notwithstanding whether any actual fires have been proved to be steam-caused). Tour promoters offering steam runs in summer need to be stronger in their information that steam runs in summer may have to be replaced by diesel in high fire risk conditions and offer partial or no refunds (dependent on each operator's business model) as a result. Potential tour passengers need to accept that fire risk steam bans are now a frequent reality and book with that risk in mind.

 

And back to my annual oil-fired class 8 comment.

Maybe there is someone out there with a deep pocket who can get access to a class 8 pacific (Merchant Navy most likely) who can evalute an oil fire conversion. Of which the starting cost could be fairly low, and that is getting NR agreement that such a loco could run in Black fire conditions.

Bryan