braziers near stand pipes - when were these phased out?

[NightatLaira]

Looking through some old railway photos if seems these were quite common place during the winter months at northern major stations such as Perth, Carlisle, Dundee, etc. What phased then out? Was it the end of steam heating on trains, better insulation in pipes, the health and safety aspect of having a potentially unwatched fire burning away unchecked, warmer winters or something else?

I'm also curious about the night watchmen who tended these - were they just ordinary station night staff or was this a specific 'job' back then?

The most recent photo I can find of a brazier in action is in the winter of 1984 at Carlisle.

 

[Bevan Price]

I think many of them ceased at the end of regular steam traction. But, as you note, some of them continued until steam heating was eliminated. It always amused me seeing a cloud of steam "blowing off" from A class 40 or Peak.

 

[NightatLaira]

Yes - if only there were some vids!

 

[Bill Stanier]

'Fire devils!'. We still use them on heritage railways to keep water supplies unfrozen in winter.

 

[khib70]

Stratford upon Avon 1962 - not a standpipe, but the same idea I guess...
http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/smjsa118.htm

 

[NightatLaira]

Very interesting!