THE unprecedented temperatures, causing a risk of lineside fires, resulted in many railways abandoning the use of steam traction and relying entirely on diesel operation during the latter half of July. Other lines cancelled services for several days as areas of the country reached record temperatures.
The Severn Valley Railway was one of the lines which ditched steam operations, and from July 13, three diesel diagrams were in place, with a fourth loco appearing on occasions, such as when a private charter was in operation.
The line suspended operations entirely on July 18/19 owing to the extreme heat forecast, and from July 20-23, Nos. 20142/189 were and 50049 had main line commitments. The two ‘Choppers’ were also required for main line work on July 24, substituting for No. 7029 on the ‘Shakespeare Express’ from Birmingham to Stratfordupon-Avon, but returned to the SVR after this.
