Chaos on the trains as the wrong type of engine sets line on fire

PASSENGERS on trains between Yorkshire and London faced delays of more than two hours on Friday after sparks from steam locomotives started a series of line-side fires, halting regular services.

Firefighters were called to the East Coast Main Line just south of Doncaster, after two special steam services ignited grass by the track at about 3pm.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fires, near the village of Rossington, were relatively minor but the government-owned East Coast company, which operates train services on the line between London and Scotland, said the tracks had to be closed between Retford, Nottingham and York.

A spokeswoman apologised to customers affected by the disruption.

She said the line reopened at about 6.15pm and East Coast was running an hourly service between Leeds and London King’s Cross and an hourly service between Scotland/Newcastle and London King’s Cross.

The firm advised delayed customers to travel on their booked service where possible, or on the service immediately before or after their booked service.

But, it said, passengers who decided not to travel on Friday could use their tickets on Saturday.