Great Western Coffee Shop

Some lengthy delays between Castle Cary and Taunton today.

Lineside fires reported at three separate locations following the passage of a steam excursion from London Paddington to Minehead.

Wonder NR didn't cancel it or insist it was diesel hauled, they have in the past.

Blimey, if it's not trespassers it's lineside fires!  :-\

Network Rail did impose a steam ban for the return trip which was diesel hauled.

That probably explains why it left Taunton 86 mins late as well as the light engine working 0Z47 from Southall WCR which arrived at Taunton at 1936

Presumably the operator will pick up the bill for all the delays?

How often do steam excursions cause railside fires? Three separate fires would suggest it must be.

Surely NOT necessarily in this case.

The operational aspects of this steam loco worked train were as dictated by the infrastructure owner - Network Rail - and as such (rather surprisingly seeing how dry it has been; bearing in mind it's Summer with exceptionally high temps.)  no restriction appears to have been issued by NR ( possibly an internal oversight ?) with regards to any perceived need to either have an assisting diesel loco attached to steam worked trains or a diesel loco to entirely replace a steam loco., irrespective of whether the steam loco has been fitted with a spark arrester or not.

I believe charter operators have a fixed amount they pay for disruption of their own causing, with the theory being that one or two big incidents would put them out of business if they paid the same levy normal TOC’s do.