Steam engine trips suspended after two fires

13 hours ago

Matt WeigoldDerby

The two fires took place in Normanhurst Park in Darley Dale, and beside the railway track near Church Road (pictured) on Thursday

Supplied Two images of burnt vegetation beside a railway track. — The two fires took place in Normanhurst Park in Darley Dale, and beside the railway track near Church Road (pictured) on Thursday

A heritage railway service has paused its steam engine trips after two fires, one of which was "most likely" caused by a passing train.

Two blazes broke out on Thursday - the UK's hottest day of the year so far - near Normanhurst Park in Darley Dale at 16:21 BST, and near Church Road in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said the first fire spanned a grassland area of roughly 100m by five metres, while the second fire - involving vegetation at the side of railway track - was found to have likely been caused by sparks from the passing train.

Peak Rail, which run services on the Midland Railway line, said the withdrawal of steam-hauled trains would continue "until further notice".

Peak Rail plans to continue running its weekly events, but will use diesel engines instead of steam until there is a significant change in the weather, it said.

Due to the unprecedented hot and dry weather, Peak Rail said it took safety precautions by driving at a reduced speed and installing spark arresters on its locomotives to stop sparks going up the chimney.

However, on Thursday, during the county's fifth heatwave of the year, these precautionary measures were not enough and the operator suspended services immediately.

Peak Line has suspended the use of its steam engines "until further notice"

Peak Rail A red steam engine with a black front and chimney. It is parked up on a station platform surrounded by woodland. — Peak Line has suspended the use of its steam engines "until further notice"

Jack Thompson, Peak Rail events and marketing manager, said: "We're very grateful to the fire and rescue service who came and put it out, but that's why we then had to withdraw steam engines.

"Obviously, with the tinder dry conditions at the moment, it just takes one spark and that's it."

Thompson added: "You never normally wish for rain, do you? But at the moment, we are. We'll reassess on Friday and see what the conditions are like."

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