Network Rail is leafing it late
It’s a little odd that the subject of falling leaves generates as much passion among main line steam operators as it does park keepers and gardeners. All senior railwaymen want is to stay safe, keep to time, and make money. However, perhaps it’s time that ultra-cautious Network Rail eased off a bit with its ruling on when coach formations on steam-hauled services have to be shorter to cope with the potential slippage on track vulnerable to leaf mulch. The blanket restrictions - 13 coaches down to 11 for bigger engines - currently apply until the end of December which, by my reckoning, is about a month after my garden rake has gone back into the shed. Why not the end of November? I have some sympathy for steam operators who want to make the most of the pre-Christmas harvest, and losing the income from around 80 seats hurts them badly. As for dates, I am guided by the advice of a technically minded colleague on Garden News (just down the corridor) who urges that we declare war on the Sycamore tree, whose fallen leaves turn to glue and cause all the problems in the first place. The North Norfolk Railway is now taking steam-hauled trains to the genteel resort of Cromer - but does Cromer really care? There wasn’t much evidence when I was graciously invited onto the inaugural train on August 10. No mayor, no band, no bunting - nothing. Judging by the nonexistent civic welcome, Sheringham’s ice-cold seaside town neighbour needs to wake up to this magnificent trade opportunity. Many people find the idea of throwing perfectly serviceable things away to be an unthinkable act. Steam railways are no different, often filling every available space (and more) with unrestored locomotives, derelict coaches and wagons, and all manner of odd-shaped girders, stacks of bricks and concrete, and piles of half-rotted timber that will surely be useful one day. Domestically, we are told that anything we haven’t touched for a year is a candidate for disposal. For railways, that timeframe can be anything up to half a century. There is no problem on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, where General Manager Peter Vail has overseen a good tidy-up. His advice is inspirational… if you must have stuff lying around, at least find a way to make it look pretty. Then, what might otherwise be perceived as junk becomes an “exhibit with interpretation”. Clever words. Over the last 30 years, Steam Railway has been proud to support worthy projects, and it’s good to play a modest part in helping complete No. 1014 County of Glamorgan. We’re funding the smokebox door, one of the most visible physical features of any steam locomotive. It’s good to give something tangible to a movement that continues to give us all so much pleasure.