The Jacobite train ran it's first service of the year today- but was diesel hauled due to an emergency ban on steam trains running across the UK main line network.
This is for two reasons-
firstly we have had a very dry spring in the UK with some parts of the West of Scotland recording less than a quarter of their average rainfall in March (there has been a spate of serious wildfires across the UK unconnected with steam trains).
secondly two steam trains ran (or were booked to run) through West Cumbria on Saturday. The first one (run by the same company as operate the Jacobite) caused three major lineside fires as it passed- which resulted in all local service trains being cancelled for over 7 hours.
I know as I was at my local unstaffed station waiting to see the second steam ex, and instead got involved with liaising with Northern Trains control in Manchester to arrange taxis to get stranded people home, in a chaotic situation.
The second steam train had to turn back part way down the line and at one stage was running 4 hours late.
There was also appallingly dangerous conduct by train spotters at Carlisle- which is why access to the train at Fort William was blocked for non ticket holders last year.