Temporary steam ban imposed by N.R. due to the heatwave

[Iskra]

the SMD is how much rain is needed to saturate the soil. It varies by geography, but round my neck of the woods it’s over 300mm.

but ‘saturated’ soil means exactly that, ie that it cannot absorb any more rain.

Thanks!

 

[The_Van]

Epping Ongar diesel only for the foreseeable

 

[Iskra]

Do we think heritage railways are more amenable to the idea of diesel traction this year due to the price and shortages of coal?

 

[zwk500]

As you seem knowledgeable do you by any chance know what level of rainfall is required to saturate the soil once more? We supposedly had 2mm overnight but it isn't penetrating really, with another 3mm forecast on Saturday.

This website may be of interest: https://hydoutuk.net/current-conditions. This report https://hydoutuk.net/sites/default/files/2022_07/2022_07_HO_RF_current_conditions.pdf shows just how dry the country is. The two key takeaways are that London and the South East would require rainfall with a 10-25 year return period in July and August (report is from June) to return to average levels, rest of the country would be ok with average rainfall. And additional rainfall on top of the average that would be required to recover from dry conditions varies from 3mm in the Solway region to 32mm in the North East region for Scotland, and from 8mm in Northumbria to 59mm in the Thames and Southern Regions of England. Of note is that Yorkshire would require 25mm additional rainfall above the average, even though Northumbria is not too bad.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2022 ==

Do we think heritage railways are more amenable to the idea of diesel traction this year due to the price and shortages of coal?

Diesel hasn't exactly been cheap either this year!

 

[Iskra]

This website may be of interest: https://cosmos.ceh.ac.uk/data

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2022 ==

Very interesting. It does show the country to be very dry still on the whole

 

[zwk500]

Very interesting. It does show the country to be very dry still on the whole

indeed, I have since edited my post to show a better link, and discuss a report on the newer site.

 

[Magdalia]

Soil Moisture Deficit is mentioned in this week's Cambridge Independent, in an article about the state of local rivers. A figure isn't given, but the Soil Moisture Deficit is described as "exceptionally high".

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2022 ==

1911 was a particular dry one, very much in the prime of steam locomotion.

Yes, 1911 is comparable. I wonder if there are any local newspaper reports that give an indication of what happened.

 

[MiNi]

Mid hants is diesel only all this week. Don't know about next week yet, although there hasn't been much rain(if any) along the line.

 

[Ken H]

This website may be of interest: https://hydoutuk.net/current-conditions. This report https://hydoutuk.net/sites/default/files/2022_07/2022_07_HO_RF_current_conditions.pdf shows just how dry the country is. The two key takeaways are that London and the South East would require rainfall with a 10-25 year return period in July and August (report is from June) to return to average levels, rest of the country would be ok with average rainfall. And additional rainfall on top of the average that would be required to recover from dry conditions varies from 3mm in the Solway region to 32mm in the North East region for Scotland, and from 8mm in Northumbria to 59mm in the Thames and Southern Regions of England. Of note is that Yorkshire would require 25mm additional rainfall above the average, even though Northumbria is not too bad.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2022 ==


Diesel hasn't exactly been cheap either this year!

Where in Yorkshire. Its over 100 miles from Ingleton to Hull. East of the pennines may be dry but in the west its been quite damp this year. Rained in the night here in t'Dales.

 

[Ken H]

I’m not critical of the NR decision or being whimsically nostalgic, but how did they cope back in mainline steam days when dry summers were encountered? I assume half the countryside was just on fire and that was just accepted back then?

Lineside fires were probably common, and were put out quickly. But that was then a firebreak so a big fire cant occur. And the dry tinder had gone from the ground.

 

[341o2]

Here, on the south coast, June was the fourth consecutive month of below average rainfall, with 19 days seeing little or no rain.
No rain in July and none forecast for the immediate future.
We have already had fires, thankfully no property destruction has occurred as in Wennington, Essex.
Some due to idiots (for the want of a better word) ignoring a ban on campfires and barbeques
Fish in a local lake dead due to it drying out
Already asked to conserve water, a hosepipe ban and water rationing looks certain.
Surprised that the Swanage railway is currently running steam.

 

[zwk500]

Where in Yorkshire. Its over 100 miles from Ingleton to Hull. East of the pennines may be dry but in the west its been quite damp this year. Rained in the night here in t'Dales.

Can't help with that one! I believe the report is averaged by region. Have a look at the links I posted and see what you reckon.

 

[Mike Machin]

Mid hants is diesel only all this week. Don't know about next week yet, although there hasn't been much rain(if any) along the line.

Yes, I live very close to the Mid Hants and the local weather station has recorded 0.2mm of rain since early June, not a drop this month. It’s going to take days of heavy rain to get some moisture back in the ground and there’s no rain in the forecast for the next seven days.

 

[MiNi]

They apparently are running a 2 train service next week. 1 steam,1 diesel.

 

[Iskra]

The KWVR have an unusual arrangement tomorrow. Class 20 locomotive hauling two round trips Oxenhope-Keighley but on the second trip, steam comes on the front front to double head from Haworth Yard to Oxenhope. Presumably that gives the option of light steam if needed and lets the passengers see a steam loco and technically ride behind one. Quite innovative really.

Source: https://twitter.com/worthvalley/status/1553037884223115265?s=21&t=xd3cqOtonkpEqBL_yyPShA

- - -

On the theme of fire risk and steam v diesel patronage, I was talking to a guard on the SVR last week and he said that despite diesel traction being more commonly provided this year, they haven’t noticed a drop in revenue. I thought that was interesting considering the commonly perceived desire for primarily steam traction on preserved railways.

 

[xotGD]

The KWVR have an unusual arrangement tomorrow. Class 20 locomotive hauling two round trips Oxenhope-Keighley but on the second trip, steam comes on the front front to double head from Haworth Yard to Oxenhope. Presumably that gives the option of light steam if needed and lets the passengers see a steam loco and technically ride behind one. Quite innovative really.

Source: https://twitter.com/worthvalley/status/1553037884223115265?s=21&t=xd3cqOtonkpEqBL_yyPShA

- - -

On the theme of fire risk and steam v diesel patronage, I was talking to a guard on the SVR last week and he said that despite diesel traction being more commonly provided this year, they haven’t noticed a drop in revenue. I thought that was interesting considering the commonly perceived desire for primarily steam traction on preserved railways.

That's just the normal way they do the loco swap on the KWVR. They then double head back to Haworth Yard with the diesel leading, where it is detached.

Avoids light engine movements to and from Oxenhope. But it makes for some strange pairings!

 

[30907]

That's just the normal way they do the loco swap on the KWVR. They then double head back to Haworth Yard with the diesel leading, where it is detached.

Avoids light engine movements to and from Oxenhope. But it makes for some strange pairings!

You beat me to it by a minute! Changing locos at Haworth loop takes ages, and is reserved for galas. The early Saturday train, which starts at Haworth, is a DMU out of season, and also finishes duty by 1300.

 

[Iskra]

Thanks for clarifying that!

 

[Cowley]

Yes, I live very close to the Mid Hants and the local weather station has recorded 0.2mm of rain since early June, not a drop this month. It’s going to take days of heavy rain to get some moisture back in the ground and there’s no rain in the forecast for the next seven days.

The Mid Hants have had a fair few steam bans over the years. I remember 25067 doing a huge amount of work during one of the first few summers it was at the railway. Maybe 1986ish?

 

[6Gman]

Lineside fires were probably common, and were put out quickly. But that was then a firebreak so a big fire cant occur. And the dry tinder had gone from the ground.

Being old enough (just) to remember summer steam on a regular basis there were a number of factors which meant things were different:

1. Local track staff who had time to control vegetation.
2. You could stick pretty much anything into the tanks on weedkiller trains - very few restrictions on either environmental or health & safety grounds. (Or where you sprayed it!)
3. There were pretty regular small lineside fires which (as already mentioned) created firebreaks.
4. Another H&S issue - the local fire service would just rock up and start work without too much concern for safety (other than keeping an eye out).

 

[Bald Rick]

Being old enough (just) to remember summer steam on a regular basis there were a number of factors which meant things were different:

1. Local track staff who had time to control vegetation.
2. You could stick pretty much anything into the tanks on weedkiller trains - very few restrictions on either environmental or health & safety grounds. (Or where you sprayed it!)
3. There were pretty regular small lineside fires which (as already mentioned) created firebreaks.
4. Another H&S issue - the local fire service would just rock up and start work without too much concern for safety (other than keeping an eye out).

Plus, not so many power and signalling cables around to catch fire and cause chaos.

 

[Falcon1200]

4. Another H&S issue - the local fire service would just rock up and start work without too much concern for safety (other than keeping an eye out).

Also far fewer lines electrified with OLE so no requests or demands to turn the power off, whether necessary or not.

 

[MiNi]

Re;:Mid hants,does anyone know if the Diesel diagram is the same as last week i.e starting on the 11.00 ex Alresford.??

 

[Iskra]

Just by way of update, the steam ban appears to be lifted. I've seen a picture of a steam engine at Dawlish yesterday (although it did have diesel tucked-in behind so could be light steam) and now a video of Tangmere at Carlisle also yesterday.

 

[Cowley]

Just by way of update, the steam ban appears to be lifted. I've seen a picture of a steam engine at Dawlish yesterday (although it did have diesel tucked-in behind so could be light steam) and now a video of Tangmere at Carlisle also yesterday.

I managed to run down to the bridge after the football finished and catch 6233 on the way back from Par:


The 47 at the back was doing pretty much all of the work though, you can see the exhaust in this screenshot!

 

[Iskra]

Nice photo's, the Duchess does look grand.

 

[Cowley]

Nice photo's, the Duchess does look grand.

Yes I really do love that loco I must say.