- Network Rail has imposed a nationwide ban on steam trains over fears they could trigger wildfires amid Britain's ongoing heatwave.
- The decision follows an incident where a West Coast Railway train, known as the Harry Potter train, is believed to have sparked a wildfire in Cheshire, causing significant rail cancellations and delays.
- The ban has led to mass service cancellations and the use of diesel engines as last-minute replacements, disappointing many as summer holidays commence.
- The measure aligns with Network Rail's fire risk policy, which restricts coal-fired steam engines during dry weather due to the increased risk of sparks igniting fires on parched trackside embankments.
- This action comes as fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 342 wildfires this year, with experts warning that extreme weather events are becoming the new “normal” in the UK.
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