Latest news with #steamlocomotive
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Nene Valley Railway to replace steam with diesel over hot weekend
A heritage railway has replaced its steam services for diesel for a second Nene Valley Railway (NVR) in Peterborough made the switch because of the hot weather and an increased risk of said sparks from its steam locomotives, either from the chimney or ashpan, could easily ignite dry grass and vegetation, especially when carried on the have also been made to protect crews as the temperature of the firebox of a steam locomotive can rise to more than 400C (752F). With the weather set to reach temperatures up to 30C, a NVR spokesperson said reducing its steam operations "helps us ensure safe working conditions for our teams".They added: "Due to the ongoing extremely hot and dry weather, our lineside fields and embankments are at an elevated risk of fire. "To help manage this risk, we're temporarily replacing some steam-hauled services with our heritage diesel locomotives. "These diesels pose no fire risk to the lineside, allowing us to continue safe and enjoyable operations."NVR said the Thomas Branch Line would still run at the weekend as it uses a smaller steam locomotive over a shorter section of line between Wansford and Yarwell, via Wansford Tunnel."The tunnel provides a cooler environment for our crews and reduces fire risk, making it ideal for operation in hot weather," the spokesperson added. "Additionally, due to Thomas's size and lighter workload, the physical demands on the crew—especially the fireman—are significantly lower."NVR is one of the UK's leading charity heritage railways. Last year it launched an urgent appeal to raise £300,000 to keep it running in the face of financial challenges, and has since raised £120,000. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Moment of Calm: Steam, wind and (just a little) speed.
If sounds from the past calm you down, maybe this is the tonic. Photo: Bryan Crump This week's Sonic Moment of Calm is something of a nostalgia trip. RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump had just shouted his son a birthday present - a ride in the cab of a steam locomotive - so why not record it steaming by? Alas, Crump's 21st century recording device had "run out of steam" so he reverted to his mobile phone's microphone instead. The resulting recording (on the platform at Palmerston North Railway Station) suffers a little from hand and wind noise, but we think there's enough hiss, chuff and whistle to make it worthwhile. Let these wheels transport you to a happier place. Photo: Bryan Crump
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Fe 2926 gets approval to run on track outside Albuquerque for first time in decades
Jun. 20—People drive for miles to catch "raily" cool locomotive legends, such as Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014. They cheer and hug their loved ones as they listen to the click-clack of wheels on the tracks and watch plumes of steam blow into the air. People in Albuquerque experienced that magical moment in 2021 when the 1944 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive ran on its own power for the first time in over half a century. Those in neighboring communities, however, have not had that opportunity to see the 2926 . But that will change. The New Mexico Department of Transportation, New Mexico Rail Runner and New Mexico Heritage Rail have agreed to allow the ATSF 2926 to expand the amount of main line track it can run from about 3 miles to about 20 miles on either side of Albuquerque, between Bernalillo and Los Lunas, New Mexico Heritage Rail announced in a June 15 news release. "This is huge," said Mathew Casford, New Mexico Heritage Rail vice president and chief of rail operations. "This is the culmination of a dream that guys who were involved with this locomotive had way before I was involved." The expanded access applies to non-revenue deadhead moves — no freight or passengers — enabling the 2926 and its support equipment to travel for staging, maintenance and community outreach, the release stated. "This is exciting, really exciting," said John Taylor, Steam Locomotive & Railroad Society at-large board member. Taylor was one of dozens and dozens of people who helped restore the 2926. It is unclear, however, when people in Los Lunas or Bernalillo will be able to see the Santa Fe icon . "It could be within a year or two, if the stars align," Taylor said. "But there (are) a lot of stars." 'See what steam power is' The Santa Fe 2926 was built in 1944, and it was one of the last Class 2900 4-8-4 steam locomotives built by Baldwin Locomotive Works. "They were the engines for the war effort," Taylor said. "They were the engines for bringing freight. They were the engines for tourism, and they really turned New Mexico, essentially, into the state that she is today." After traveling a million miles, the locomotive was retired in Belen in 1955. A year later, it was donated to the city of Albuquerque, which put it in Coronado Park as part of the city's 250th anniversary celebration, he said. The Santa Fe 2926 sat in the park until 2000 when the Steam Locomotive & Railroad Society — doing business as New Mexico Heritage Rail — bought it for $1 and moved it to its current location, on 1833 Eighth NW, the restoration site for the 2926. Members of the society have put thousands of man-hours and dollars into refurbishing the locomotive. "It was rusty, covered with asbestos," Taylor said. "We stripped it down. We cleaned it up. We repaired everything, and we made it go, and we did it with volunteers." After two decades of restoration efforts, the Santa Fe 2926 ran under its own power for the first time on July 24, 2021 . In the past few years, the locomotive appeared at Tractor Brewing Company, Wells Park and the Rail Yards. But now, the Santa Fe 2926 will be able to go as far as Los Lunas. "To let the people see what steam power is and what it represents is a really important thing," Taylor said. New Mexico Heritage Rail is developing operating schedules in coordination with New Mexico Rail Runner to ensure a "seamless integration with existing freight and passenger services," according to a news release. "These practice runs will allow the organization to test equipment, train crews, and demonstrate consistent, safe operations — essential steps before any public trips can be offered," the release stated. "This is going to be a persistent, slow process," Casford said. In the meantime, people can see the 2926 at the restoration site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays or during New Mexico Railroad Days the last weekend of September. "This isn't just a locomotive," Casford said, "it's a rolling classroom and a tribute to the people and industry that helped shape New Mexico."
