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Steam Ban due to fire risk (updates)

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by neildimmer, Jul 12, 2013.

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  1. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Rather than the thread 'Railtour operators can die in the summer' why not have a straightforward thread title
    So here you go, update whenever anybody knows anything

    Neil
     
    neildimmer, Jul 12, 2013
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    So according to the Railway Herald, forthcoming West Coast operations can run with a diesel inside the steam locomotive till it rains. That's better than might have been the case and so I think we should be grateful to Network Rail for that. The majority of the paying public will also probably be happy. Let's hope that the tour operators are now sympathetic towards anyone who decides that this arrangement is not what they want and would prefer a refund.

    As for the Tyne /Tees Streak, this is a more interesting one. The trip is about the opportunity to travel at up to 90 mph - little else. I suspect that a far greater number of paying passengers will be on this and expecting it to be an unassisted run. Not too certain that pushing Bittern up to around 90 and then letting it sustain that speed is quite what people want. Apart from the climb up to Relly Mill Junction on the return, most of the route is fairly benign gradient-wise. But it would be a big 'ask' to let this be the exception to the steam ban even though that's actually what's needed....or a straight cancellation and we wait to see whether things are any better for the run back from York.
     
    Big Al, Jul 15, 2013
    #2
  3. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    neildimmer, Jul 15, 2013
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  4. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    From Clan Line Twitter feed:

    "Clan Line is ready for the 20/7 trip subject to FTR but we may have to run with 67 inside as a result of the steam ban that currently exists"
     
    D1002, Jul 15, 2013
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  5. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Pathfinder have now confirmed that The Tyne-Tees Streak has been postponed.
     
    D1002, Jul 16, 2013
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  6. RHM

    RHM Member

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    Official word from Pathfinder - Pathfinder Tours has confirmed that their 'Tyne-Tees Streak' booked for Friday, 19th July, as been postponed. Due to the line side conditions is not possible to operate the train without the inclusion of a diesel in the consist to assist where and when deemed necessary.
    A new date will be advised in due course. Pathfinder has written to all passengers advising them of the situation.
     
    RHM, Jul 16, 2013
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  7. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    The Capital Streak has also been postponed, as Bittern will remain at York until The Tyne-Tees Streak has been successfully run.
     
    D1002, Jul 16, 2013
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  8. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    Why have NR insisted that the additional motive power go 'inside' the kettle? Because communication is easier between the two motive power crews? Means that some tours will need two diesels (those from London termini for example)
     
    mrKnowwun, Jul 16, 2013
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  9. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    I believe that on Network Rail, assistance in the rear is only permitted in certain areas and with specific authorisation where the rear motive power has a separate driver (i.e not worked "in multiple" as effectively HSTs and push/pull sets are). It may be in the circumstances you mention, arrangements can be authorised for the assistance to remain on the back.

    Steven
     
    Bean-counter, Jul 16, 2013
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  10. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    The train is just a normal double header. I doubt NR cares whether its the steam or the diesel on the front.
     
    ADB968008, Jul 16, 2013
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  11. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    Tell you what, I reckon some firemen are going to be just be a little bit happy at not having to work flat out in this heat. The current forecast for parts of London for mid week next week is 35C.
     
    KentYeti, Jul 16, 2013
    #11
  12. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    I'm sat in the joburg heat right now, its the first time I've been to South Africa in their winter, when its actually been hotter back in the UK.

    I've been spotting my B1's today, todate I've seen: 61000/2/6/8/40, also wandering round was several D0260's and some GWR sun class. Also 46144 (you may have to dig hard to figure that one).
     
    ADB968008, Jul 16, 2013
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  13. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    Sigh! - Ok let me rephrase that then, why have NR insisted on a double header instead of top and tailing.
     
    mrKnowwun, Jul 16, 2013
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  14. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    Because two engines on a train providing power should normally be on the front.
    Running on the rear ala HST with 2 crews is actually against the rule book, exceptions apply obviously.
     
    ADB968008, Jul 16, 2013
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  15. camraman

    camraman Member

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    You are obviously worried about conditions in Burnt Oak, Heat hrow, Sunbury, Sear Green or The Bakerloo line. Where I come from the conditions could be unbearable at Cow Roast near Tring.
     
    camraman, Jul 16, 2013
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  16. 5098

    5098 Well-Known Member

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    One exception obviously being 34046's loaded test run today. Anybody know why?
     
    5098, Jul 16, 2013
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  17. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    I suspect this benefitted from being neither fish nor fowl so slipped under the radar. There could have been no logically risk free way of carrying out a test run unless it was purely for running at speed, with acceleration provided by the assisting loco. But then the load would have been immaterial so some assessment of adhesion, starting ability and sustained output must form part of the test. All these, along with braking, will determine the ultimate loading potential for the loco when in traffic, surely?
     
    26D_M, Jul 16, 2013
    #17
  18. RHM

    RHM Member

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    Railway Herald has been told that the last 90 mph operation with No. 4464 Bittern, 'The Capital Streak' from York to Kings Cross on 27th July, has now also been postponed due the line side fire risk restrictions.
    Pathfinder's Peter Watts said the earliest likely date for operating the two workings will now be in the latter half of August. Bittern will remain at the NRM in the meantime.
     
    RHM, Jul 16, 2013
    #18
  19. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Reading various articles online, there isn't an end in sight to these conditions. It could get even hotter & even last well into August. The only thing that is happening is that it will move further North.
    All records are set to be broken including 1976.
    Various excuses are being blamed for it including the gulf stream being further North than normal & won't shift.
     
    buseng, Jul 17, 2013
    #19
  20. camraman

    camraman Member

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    The difference is in 1976 it started in May and went through to October which was the first rain and then the wettest on record.
     
    camraman, Jul 17, 2013
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