Quote:
Originally Posted by steam for ever
As more franchises open and more are segmented, we are now reaching the point we were at 100 years ago.
Steam is on the rise and there are more preserved locos than in 1968, operational that is. next stop is steam everywhere.
Just look at 2009. Whenever a steam loco on a special turns up, just look at the people that come to see it.
Remember tornado at kings cross.
Oil's going to run out before coal.
If water levels are going to rise, then lets make use of it.
|
I would love to think you are right but people turn out to see steam because it is different and special.
Steam as a regular day in day out form of railway motive power does not stack up opperationally or ecconomically. DMU's and EMU's are the face of the modern railway. No steam engine could do the daily mileages that they do. An East Coast EMU can do London - Edinburgh - London no problem and then probably finish with a trip to Leeds. A voyager does Aberdeen to Penzance. Steam, certainly coal fired, cannot do this.
It was difficult enough to get staff to work with steam in the 1950' & 60's especially cleaners and other people involved in the preparation and disposal of steam engines. Just look at the photos of steam sheds in the 1960's to see why!
Best wishes,
John H-T.