A SPATE of lineside fires on land adjoining the Severn Valley Railway has prompted the of diesel-hauled services for the third time this season.

The fires were started on Tuesday by sparks or cinders from one of the SVR’s steam locomotives, and Shropshire Fire Service attended and successfully extinguished them.

Most of the fires took place in the Eardington Bank area, between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade in Shropshire.

Steve Wainwright, the SVR’s head of operations said: “During hot, dry weather, we have to be constantly alert to the risks of lineside fires.” 

“We have already switched to heritage diesel-only services twice this season; first in July and then earlier this month. Now we’re repeating the measure for third time, in order to avoid further fires.

“It is very frustrating for us, but this is the right thing to do.

“The heritage diesel services will run until at least Friday this week, when we’ll review the situation.”