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Which heritage lines do and don't have steam bans currently?

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DelW

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15 Jan 2015
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5,934
I do agree with you. As I said in an earlier post, there‘s no criticism of people working under pressure to keep their railway running. However, they could attract quite a few diesel cranks with an indication of their motive power plans during the steam ban.
Though hellfire might be the last thing they want just now ....
 

EbbwJunction1

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25 Mar 2010
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Newport, South Wales
The Vale of Rheidol were using No. 9 Prince of Wales and No. 10 on the services yesterday, along with NG52 on shunting duties at Aberystwyth.

No. 9 is one of the GWR 2-6-2T engines, but it's been converted to oil firing and Nos. 10 and NG52 are diesel shunters. I understand that the Hanomag 2-6-2 2-6-2 No. 60 Drakensburg is coal fired and can still be used because it doesn't give off many sparks. It isn't being used at the moment because it's got a broken spring; they're hopefully going to use it later this week or next week once this has been repaired, though - it did come out of the shed yesterday afternoon hauled by NG52, but went back in.
 

kje7812

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1 May 2018
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645
Location
Kidderminster
Severn Valley expecting diesel only until end of the month. To be reviewed 20th August.

West Somerset was still running steam but have suspended services this afternoon due to weather alert.
 

Edders23

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22 Sep 2018
Messages
567
Peak Rail running steam at weekends and mid week.
but didn't they cancel their steam gala ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

NVR imposed a steam ban the same day network rail put their ban in place BUT Thomas is still allowed to do shuttles to Yarwell and back where the risk is minimal.

The big problem is that it puts enormous pressure on the diesel drivers because they have to fill all the rosters whilst the steam only drivers can't take any shifts
 

43096

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23 Nov 2015
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I do not understand why any railway in any of the drought-affected areas are running coal-fired kettles at all. There really ought to be a complete ban currently - it's simply too big a risk.
 

HertiageFan

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30 Jul 2025
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329
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Wakefield
but didn't they cancel their steam gala ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

NVR imposed a steam ban the same day network rail put their ban in place BUT Thomas is still allowed to do shuttles to Yarwell and back where the risk is minimal.

The big problem is that it puts enormous pressure on the diesel drivers because they have to fill all the rosters whilst the steam only drivers can't take any shifts
They cancelled the steam gala because of the risk
 

yorkshirerail

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8 Mar 2026
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Location
Leeds
Does anyone else think they’re good now be a total ban on steam including on heritage now that we’ve had this emergency alert today
 

peteb

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30 Mar 2011
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1,687
Tallylyn still running steam but very sensibly they follow each uphill train with a "Wickham Trolley" loaded with water, hoses and fire extinguishers.
 

Amos390

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22 Jan 2025
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Nottingham
Just wondering, are there any heritage lines that only have steam traction, (especially looking at narrow gauge lines with this) and will they have just stopped service?
 

HertiageFan

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30 Jul 2025
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329
Location
Wakefield
Just wondering, are there any heritage lines that only have steam traction, (especially looking at narrow gauge lines with this) and will they have just stopped service?
I know it’s not an official heritage line but the Beamish Rowley demonstration line, currently run with GER 229 (weekends in August), which has a spark arrestor attached to the funnel, they have no other operational locomotives on that stretch of the line. Since it is a short line, which has little vegetation, and a light load, with 20 degrees Celsius max forecast there (I know it could change), but I suspect that they may still run it.
 

Belperpete

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17 Aug 2018
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Tallylyn still running steam but very sensibly they follow each uphill train with a "Wickham Trolley" loaded with water, hoses and fire extinguishers.

Living not too far from the Talyllyn, I can understand why they might still be running steam. After last week's rain, things are far, far better than they were a month or so ago. The verges are looking lush and green again, and my lawn has largely recovered and in need of a cut. I realise that not everybody is in the same situation, but to be issuing an alert after it has rained and things are much improved is just ridiculous. I suspect that it is another case of London and South East centric thinking.
 

YorkshireBear

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23 Jul 2010
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Living not too far from the Talyllyn, I can understand why they might still be running steam. After last week's rain, things are far, far better than they were a month or so ago. The verges are looking lush and green again, and my lawn has largely recovered and in need of a cut. I realise that not everybody is in the same situation, but to be issuing an alert after it has rained and things are much improved is just ridiculous. I suspect that it is another case of London and South East centric thinking.
I think it's the west Midlands incident that has prompted it not London and the south East.
 

Mike Machin

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Joined
19 Aug 2017
Messages
376
Hopefully all users of steam-powered vehicles, whether road or rail, will desist from steaming-up until there has been several days of substantial rainfall in drought affected areas. Even my local model engineering society, of which I’m a member, has suspended the operation and use of steam traction on our miniature railway.
 

SECR 65

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2 Apr 2026
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643
Location
East Sussex
Llangollen are still advertising steam with 7754 today.

Whether that's still the case by the end of the day, I shall soon find out, and keep you posted!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Llangollen are still advertising steam with 7754 today.

Whether that's still the case by the end of the day, I shall soon find out, and keep you posted!
Didn't seem to be any issues at Llangollen today. I was told they were driving the engine carefully but not sure how much I agree with that statement!
The diesel set had a fire wagon on it with water tanks.
I wasn't aware of any fires. They must be one of the only lines still running steam at standard gauge.
 
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andy33gmail

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Joined
23 Mar 2025
Messages
291
Location
cambridgeshire
I understand Sheringham was running to Weyborne until recently (timetable attached)

However since Friday they are now just running a short distance out the station and back. And there aren’t any particularly obvious ways to dovetail a short shuttle on the steam with a full run on a diesel.

A real shame. They did discount the rover ticket slightly though. Still got tickets though and will make the best of a bad job
 

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