Steam Heat Diesels In Limited Supply!

Train heating is essential on preserved railways during the cold winter months, but few preserved diesels have a working boiler capable of steam heating coaches. David Russell surveys the current situation.

- David Russell

THERE are well over 100 operational diesels in preservation, but the number capable of providing steam heat – the primary source of on-train heating at most preserved railways – can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and one of those is currently on hire to a main line freight company.

This means that, at most heritage railways, the opportunity to use diesel traction on winter passenger trains is somewhat limited.

Steam heat was eliminated from the main line in 1987, having gradually disappeared over the previous few years, largely as a result of the upgrade programme to fit electric train heating (ETH) to members of the Class 31, 37 and 47 fleets.

Since then, West Coast Railways (WCR), Vintage Trains and other charter train promoters have reintroduced steam heat on some steam-hauled specials, negating the need for an ETH-fitted diesel or generator van to be included in the formation.

MAIN LINE MARVEL

From a diesel perspective, the appearance of the Scottish Thirty Seven Group’s No. 37025 Inverness TMD at the head of a SRPS charter with working steam heat on July 16, 2016, was most welcome and evocative, even if it was not actually needed at that time of the year. To date, the STG’s ‘37’ is the only preserved diesel to operate on the main line with a working boiler.