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Strategic reserve

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102 fan

102 fan

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I'm listening to Punt PI on BBC sounds. This programme is about the supposed steam loco reserve. Apparently steam loco's were kept as they wouldn't succumb to the effects of a nuclear explosion on electrical systems that would affect diesel loco's, but surely the signalling system would be rendered useless as well?

As stated in the programme, without any steam infrastructure on the railway network, operating steamers would be difficult.

www.bbc.co.uk

Punt PI - Series 1 - Episode 2 - BBC Sounds

Steve probes the case of the missing steam trains stashed away in case of nuclear war.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
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102 fan

102 fan

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I don't believe for one moment about any strategic reserve, but what I do believe is that any siding off a main line is certainly not private to rail crews, signallers and PWay.
 
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Gloster

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The Swedes did squirrel away a large number of locos in case the electric supply was put out use during a war. This started in the early 1950s and, although the numbers reduced a bit over the years, it was only in 1990 that it was decided to abandon the reserve; it took until 2016 to remove the last locos from the various, mostly tin, sheds they had been stored in. The only time that they were used was in the harsh winter of 1965/1966, when around fifty were used to replace electric locos that had been damaged by cold.
 
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E27007

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Writing this post from a standpoint of objectivity, and not emotional speculation, the level of infrastructure provision, bureaucratic preparation and ongoing revision, constant readiness of the Country post-WW2 in the event of Nuclear War is truly staggering, For evidence read War Plan UK by Duncan Campbell, or visit one of the deep-level RSG bunkers ( RSG means Regional Seat of Government ) in the UK, at least two Bunkers are museums, Kelvedon Hatch in Essex is one such Bunkr with a capacity for 600 bureaucrats and personnel, is open to the public as a museum, I am willing believe there was a plan for a strategic reserve of steam locomotives, freight types capable of wide route availability, lists of such locomotives and their intended service locations would have been maintained and regularly amended, but the plan would have abandoned due to obsolescence as the plans were reviewed and revised.

Kelvedon Hatch Bunker:
Kelvedon Hatch Bunker Wikipaedia
 
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Trestrol

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There was also the emergency control trains. Hidden in plain site. Officially scrapped on BR records but survived until around 1980. Provided many a preserved railway with nearly complete carriages. Link below to article on the LNER control trains.
www.lnerca.org

Technical Data

Technical Data Click on the heading below to open PDF with more information Teak Panels External Varnish Glazing Specifications Roof Fleece Fitting - NEW Frame Repair Specification LNER Moquette Sources of Drawings of
www.lnerca.org www.lnerca.org
 
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Wolfie

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102 fan said:
I'm listening to Punt PI on BBC sounds. This programme is about the supposed steam loco reserve. Apparently steam loco's were kept as they wouldn't succumb to the effects of a nuclear explosion on electrical systems that would affect diesel loco's, but surely the signalling system would be rendered useless as well?

As stated in the programme, without any steam infrastructure on the railway network, operating steamers would be difficult.

www.bbc.co.uk

Punt PI - Series 1 - Episode 2 - BBC Sounds

Steve probes the case of the missing steam trains stashed away in case of nuclear war.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
Click to expand...
If there was any truth in it my simple question is where were the trained train crew supposed to come from?
 
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simonw

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102 fan said:
I'm listening to Punt PI on BBC sounds. This programme is about the supposed steam loco reserve. Apparently steam loco's were kept as they wouldn't succumb to the effects of a nuclear explosion on electrical systems that would affect diesel loco's, but surely the signalling system would be rendered useless as well?

As stated in the programme, without any steam infrastructure on the railway network, operating steamers would be difficult.

www.bbc.co.uk

Punt PI - Series 1 - Episode 2 - BBC Sounds

Steve probes the case of the missing steam trains stashed away in case of nuclear war.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
Click to expand...
Punt PI was a series of semi humourous looks at various urban myths.

It should not be taken seriously as it was not designed to be taken seriously.

Punt PI - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org en.m.wikipedia.org

It is also a rather old programme.
 
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Wolfie

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102 fan said:
I don't believe for one moment about any strategic reserve, but what I do believe is that any siding off a main line is certainly not private to rail crews, signallers and PWay.
Click to expand...
Agreed. They might not know exactly what it was for but would certainly know that it was there.
 
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