Looming driver shortage - heritage railways

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

If I remember correctly there were fireless steam locomotives about. Didn't Huntley and Palmers' have 2 fireless locomotives at their Reading Manufacturing base which was connected up to the sites heating system to "charge" the boiler and could operate for about 30 minutes before the boiler pressure dropped to a level which needed a recharge. Again memory reminds me that one of these locomotives was preserved and was once stored at the Didcot Railway Centre but I don't know what happened to it.

Fireless steam is used for propulsion in the Vanguard class submarines, so it is possible. I do, however, think a nuclear reactor on a heritage line would be a step too far.

[bradshaw]

Swanage Railway today from Twitter

Saturday 31st August
Modified timetable due to crew shortage
All services steam hauled except one round trip Diesel Operated marked (D)
From Swanage 1000 1040 (D) 1120 1200 1320 1400 1520 1600 1640 1720 1800
From Norden 1040 1120 (D) 1200 1240 1400 1440 1600 1640 1720 1800 

https://twitter.com/swanrailway/status/1167675058380255237?s=21

[TaplowGreen]

Swanage Railway today from Twitter

Saturday 31st August
Modified timetable due to crew shortage
All services steam hauled except one round trip Diesel Operated marked (D)
From Swanage 1000 1040 (D) 1120 1200 1320 1400 1520 1600 1640 1720 1800
From Norden 1040 1120 (D) 1200 1240 1400 1440 1600 1640 1720 1800 

https://twitter.com/swanrailway/status/1167675058380255237?s=21

Just like GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)! 

[Umberleigh]

Great footage of the Bluebell, and a line with passenger numbers and a location that should ensure its survival come what may. Sadly, some of the more far-flung and less established lines will surely struggle in the future. Also, the current generation of early-retiree enthusiasts grew up in the post-steam diesel era and this will surely influence the future operation of smaller lines.

[broadgage]

I find the shortage of drivers to be very surprising.
I was under the impression that "everyone wants to be a train driver" on a heritage line, and that the real challenge was recruiting sufficient volunteers for roles perceived as less glamorous, including P-way maintenance, grounds and premises maintenance, station staff, and similar roles.

[TonyK]

I find the shortage of drivers to be very surprising.
I was under the impression that "everyone wants to be a train driver" on a heritage line, and that the real challenge was recruiting sufficient volunteers for roles perceived as less glamorous, including P-way maintenance, grounds and premises maintenance, station staff, and similar roles.

I think everyone wants to drive a quad bike, except those who have to.  I'm sure the glamour and excitement of driving a steam train doesn't last in the long term for everybody.