Major incident declared as moorland fire spreads



A major incident has been declared by the fire service as a moorland blaze which started in the North York Moors National Park on Monday continues to spread.

Twenty appliances crewed by about 100 firefighters have now been sent to the scene on Langdale Moor, near the ballistic missile early warning base at RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (NYFRS) said.

"The fire has now spread and is covering around 5 sq km," the fire service said in its latest update at 12:30 BST on Wednesday. "More resources are being sent to the scene. This has now been declared a major incident."

Fire crews were first called out at 18:30 BST on Monday to reports of smoke, prompting fire chiefs to advise people living nearby to keep windows and doors closed and for others to avoid the area if possible. Dark grey smoke was seen billowing over the moors on Wednesday morning as the blaze continued.

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The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) said its heritage steam train services would be suspended until further notice, with diesel locomotives running instead. The NYMR added on Wednesday that it would delay the start of the Tornado services that were due to run from Friday to Sunday.

A spokesperson said: "We hope to have an update on the revised start date once temperatures have cooled down. In addition, we've switched all of our Pickering to Grosmont standard services to heritage diesel locomotives, and we still aim to run steam-hauled services between Grosmont and Whitby due to the lower fire risk profile."

Steam trains suspended due to moorland fire



The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has suspended its steam train services while firefighters tackle a moorland blaze.

Fire crews were called at 18:30 BST on Monday to reports of smoke at Langdale Moor near RAF Fylingdales.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said crews would be tackling the blaze "for some time", with seven remaining at the scene on Tuesday.

The NYMR said steam services would be on hold until further notice to help "reduce pressure" on the fire service. It said: "Due to the large wildfire at Harwood Dale, which is outside the NYMR route but within the North York Moors National Park, we have made the decision to pause steam services until further notice. This is to help reduce the risk of lineside fires and reduce pressure on the fire service. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding."

The NYMR said its heritage diesel fleet would still run its scheduled services.

A fire service spokesperson said crews found the fire had "jumped" a fire break put in place late on Monday, and advised local residents to keep windows and doors closed. They added the fire was covering an area more than 980ft by 980ft (300m x 300m).

You would think given the number of attacks on preserved railways that more would be invested in security, wouldn't you.

CCTV costs less than that,....

Police investigating vandalism caused to North York Moors Railway carriages at Pickering have arrested two boys and expect to make further arrests as the investigation continues.

The two boys aged 17, have been released while under investigation.

Enquiries are continuing and police are urging anyone who has any images from the incident to forward it to North Yorkshire Police at general.enquiries@northyorkshire.police.uk

Anyone with any other information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and pass information to the Force Control Room.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference 12170129575 when passing on information.

Heartbreak after vandals attack heritage railway carriages

In the early hours of Sunday 23rd July 2017, North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s (NYMR’s) historic teak carriages were deliberately vandalised. The carriages were parked in the siding, at the far side of the main visitor car park at Pickering. 

North Yorkshire Police are currently onsite, assessing the situation.

The beautiful varnished teak carriage set, comprised of eight carriages, dating from 1930 to 1950. These carriages have regularly appeared in films and television, recent appearances including ‘Downton Abbey’ and the remake of ‘Dad’s Army’.

Chris Price, NYMR’s General Manager said, “We were absolutely devastated to discover that the carriages had been damaged overnight. The set was found with the windows smashed and the furniture and fixings completely ruined, obviously all the staff and volunteers are extremely upset.

Until the set has been completely assessed we will not know the full extent of the damage caused, I doubt very much that the set will run again in the 2017 season.”

Saturday 22nd July was the launch of the new bigger and better ‘60s Fest’ event which was taking place over the weekend. The railway welcomed thousands of passengers, who enjoyed live music, just meters away from where the carriages were vandalised.

Laura Strangeway, NYMR’s Marketing Manager said, “Unfortunately there will be service disruptions today and any visitors wanting to travel along the line will need to check the website, nymr.co.uk or call customer services, 01751 472508 for updates.  The live music and displays planned for ‘60s Fest will go ahead along the line as planned.”

The teak carriages are owned and maintained by the London and North Eastern Railway Coach Association (LNERCA), who are a volunteer run, charitable organisation which restores the heritage coaches for use on the NYMR.

Family to sue over death of Robert Lund on North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The family of a steam railway volunteer who was crushed to death between carriages are seeking "substantial damages" from the railway, their lawyer said today.

Robert Lund, 65, died almost instantly from "extreme" chest and abdominal injuries on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Mr Lund, of Beverley, was working as a guard when he was fatally injured at Grosmont Station on May 21 last year.

A jury at North Yorkshire Coroner's Court in Scarborough found the father-of-one's death was a tragic accident.

Speaking after the hearing, the family's lawyer Kevin Hughes said: "We've made a claim for damages on behalf of the family, which is currently being considered."

Mr Hughes said the verdict was "expected" and added: "It reinforces our view that a civil claim is likely to produce substantial damages."

The jury heard Mr Lund was helping volunteer train driver Norman Ash shunt and uncouple carriages at the station shortly before the accident.

Mr Lund, a retired Humberside Police officer, unhooked some coaches and signalled the driver to move away, and it is thought he returned to the area between the carriages. However, the locomotive unexpectedly moved off in the wrong direction, Mr Ash told coroner Michael Oakley.

Mr Ash, a retired professional train driver with more than 50 years' experience, said it is possible he did not lock a reversing lever into place, which could have allowed the locomotive to slip between forward and reverse. "I turned round to see which way I was going and the next thing I knew I was going the opposite way," he said. "I never even thought about Mr Lund going back between the coaches."

He said he walked along the platform and saw Mr Lund trapped between two coaches.

Pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper said Mr Lund suffered severe crushing injuries to his chest and abdomen and would have died "very quickly".

Accident investigators told the hearing they had complete confidence in the actions of both Mr Lund and Mr Ash.

Chris Hall, of the Rail Accident Investigation Board, said that Mr Lund would have had "no reason to believe" the train would change direction, which was most likely caused by the driver forgetting to lock the reverse lever.

After the verdict, North Yorkshire Moors Railway expressed its sympathies to Mr Lund's family and said it was "understandable" they had launched civil proceedings.

General manager Philip Benham said Mr Lund's death was "devastating". He said: "I want to say how much we respected Bob Lund. He was dedicated, he gave us a lot of his time and enjoyed his work. There's a feeling of tremendous sympathy for Bob's family and a wish to support them in every way we can. We've looked at how we can strengthen our procedures in light of this tragedy and if we find we can improve safety further, we certainly will."

Mr Lund's widow Patricia said her husband was an avid railway enthusiast who devoted much of his spare time to his hobby. Following the hearing, she said in a statement: "The family takes comfort in the fact that Bob died doing something he loved."

Investigation into a fatal accident at Grosmont, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, on 21 May 2012

The RAIB is carrying out an investigation into a fatal accident involving a volunteer member of railway staff who was carrying out guard^s duties on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. This is a standard gauge heritage railway running from Pickering to Grosmont.

The accident occurred at about 12:10 hrs on 21 May 2012, following the uncoupling of a coach from the end of a rake of coaches stabled in one of the platforms at Grosmont. As the uncoupled coach was being drawn off by a steam locomotive working tender first, the direction of the movement changed, causing the locomotive and coach to move back towards the rake of vehicles from which they had been uncoupled. This resulted in the guard, who was carrying out the actions necessary following the uncoupling, being crushed between the coaches.


Image showing the scene of the accident the following day during a reconstruction of the circumstances

The RAIB^s preliminary examination and tests found that when the steam locomotive concerned (an ex Southern Railway S15 class) was working tender first, the reverser could change from reverse to forward gear unless it was prevented from doing so by the operation of a locking device. Should the reverser not be secured in position, any change may not be noticed by the driver and, in these circumstances, would only become evident on opening the regulator, when a change in direction would occur.

The RAIB^s investigation is independent of any investigations by the safety authority (the Office of Railway Regulation) or the British Transport Police (BTP).

The RAIB will publish its findings, including any learning points to improve safety, at the conclusion of the investigation. This will be available on the RAIB website.

Tribute to Robert Lund - Grosmont Rail Station

British Transport Police today issued a tribute on behalf of the family of Robert Lund (65), who died following an incident at Grosmont rail station on Monday, 21 May.

His family said: ^Robert was a reliable and caring husband and father who was always a keen railway enthusiast and enjoyed playing for the Humberside Police rugby team. He retired as a serving officer from the force in 1997 and continued to work as a civilian until his retirement last year.

^He enjoyed working as a volunteer at the North Yorkshire Moors railway, where he began worked as a ticket inspector before progressing to a train guard.

^We would appreciate peace and quiet to remember Robert during this difficult time.^

The family is still endeavouring to come to terms with this loss and would appreciate the media^s understanding in allowing them to deal with the situation privately.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: ^BTP officers were called to Grosmont rail station on Monday, 21 May following a report of an incident involving a member of staff working on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

^BTP and North Yorkshire Police officers attended the incident which was reported to BTP at 12.30pm, and is believed to be non-suspicious.

^Paramedics also attended but the man, who today can be named as Robert George Lund, aged 65, was pronounced dead at the scene.

^An investigation is still ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding Mr Lund^s death.

^The Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Office of Rail Regulation have been informed.

"A file will be prepared for the coroner."

A rail worker has died after becoming trapped between two trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The man died at Grosmont Station on the heritage line at about 12:30 BST, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

Officers from BTP and North Yorkshire Police attended the incident, which is not believed to be suspicious.

BTP said an investigation had started and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch had been informed. All services are currently suspended.

'Deepest sympathy'

In a statement BTP said: "Paramedics attended, but the man, who is believed to be in his sixties, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"An investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the man's death."

Danielle Bradley, from the North York Moors Railway, said: "Obviously our thoughts and our condolences go out to the family and friends, and our deepest sympathy as well."

All railway staff who were on duty at the time of the accident were being offered support, she added.

The North York Moors Railway is a popular tourist attraction staffed by volunteers, which runs steam trains through National Park moorland on an 18-mile (29km) route from Grosmont to Pickering.

As well as carrying tourists, the line has appeared in a number of films and television programmes, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the ITV series Heartbeat.

A statement on the railway's website said: "All services are currently suspended due to a serious incident at Grosmont.

"The North Yorkshire Moors Railway apologises for any inconvenience caused."