The line with its own ‘fire brigade’ is right on track
THE risk of trackside fires in dry, hot spells has always presented a challenge to railway operators using steam locomotives. However, the award-winning Dartmouth Steam Railway tackles the problem with a fire train of its own!
At about 4pm on June 8, a fire engulfed a bush alongside the line which, witnesses said, broke out seconds after a steam train passed.
Smoke from the blaze could be seen as far as Goodrington Sands as it climbed its way over Torbay.
The skipper of a pleasure boat in the bay was among the first to raise the alarm, and fire crews asked the railway for assistance.
The railway’s management responded immediately, despatching its own fire train to the affected embankment.
The diesel shunter-hauled train comprises a bowser made from a former petrol tanker holding 37,000 litres, plus a brake van. It has a Godiva high delivery pump and was built in partnership with the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service.
The fire train was developed in 2016 and has proved highly successful ever since. The fire service has requested that it is used in conjunction with its appliances whenever possible.
A DSR spokesman said: “As a steam railway can be prone to lineside fires, we do take steps to mitigate them as much as possible, such as limiting the number of coaches and rostering more powerful locomotives during times of extreme heat.
“We have also installed natural fire breaks along the area bordering residential homes and public footpaths. However, even with these measures, lineside fires do unfortunately break out occasionally.
“Fires can be very disruptive to the business, so in 2016 we took the decision to build our own in-house fire train.
“Having an in-house appliance allows lineside fires to be tackled more quickly and safely, thereby reducing the need for the fire service to access the track.”
Earlier this year, the line won the Heritage Railway Association’s Outstanding Visitor Attraction award.