Steam trains suspended after lineside fires

Steam train services have been suspended on a heritage railway after a series of lineside fires.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway said the decision followed an unprecedented spell of dry weather which had led to a number of fires since Monday.

As the warm weather is set to continue, the railway announced it would operate all of its services using diesel locomotives until Monday 14 April.

It said this would avoid the continued risk of lineside fires caused by sparks and hot ashes setting vegetation alight.

The railway said the fires were identified by members of staff, who escalated the response to the emergency services, North York Moors National Park and local gamekeepers.

Paul Middleton, director of mechanical engineering, said: "It has been especially dry since March and, with the warm weather set to continue, we will be operating our fleet of heritage diesel locomotives on our services.

"We are working closely with local partners including the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and wildfire groups to reduce risk as we introduce these extra safety measures."

Mr Middleton added that all of the railway's planned services would still be running between Pickering and Whitby.

Steam train enthusiasts will still be able to see locomotive Sir Nigel Gresley in steam at Grosmont Station and tram Lucie in steam at Pickering Station on Saturday 12 April.

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