Embankment Fires And Risk Of Forest Fires

The season of forest fires coincides with the season of the Wiehltalbahn. With extended droughts the risk of forest fires increases also in the Wiehl Valley. The railroad track of the Wiehltalbahn leads direcly along the forest or even passes it - a fact that shall be accomodated by the subsequent regulations. In of case operational restrictions we ask our passengers for understanding. Generally the steam locomotive becomes replaced by a Diesel locomotive in case of high risk of forest fires, so all rides can take place according to the same time table.

Coal-fired steam locomotives 
Nearby a railway with coal-fired steam locomotives farmland and forest fires can also be caused by embankment fires (aroused by the railway vehicles). Complex preventive measures for the prophylaxis of such fires (e.g. fight against plant cover and pruning), as well as to assure the function of accordant devices of the steam locomotives (ash pan humidifier, spark catcher, etc.) can reduce the risk, but not avert it.

Therefor the Rhein-Sieg-Eisenbahn as operating company of the Wiehltalbahn determined (b.t.w., in accordance with Deutsche Bahn A.G.) that in case of a high risk of forest fires the use of coal-fired steam locomotives is prohibited. In case of lower forest fire alert levels the Rhein-Sieg-Eisenbahn furthermore reserves it's right to prohibit the use of coal-fired steam locomotives upon the existence of particular endangering situations on her track. In each case of a steam locomotive ban we try - as far as technically and organisationally possible - to replace the steam locomotive with a Diesel locomotive.

Decisive for the rating of the alert level is the daily publication of the "Deutscher Wetterdienst" DWD (German Meteorological Service)

Furthermore possible are additional restrictions by the appropriate authorities.

Smoking aboard the trains 
Some railway embankment fires are not caused by the staeam locomotive, but by glowing cigarettes. Therefore smoking is forbidden on waggon platforms of the Wiehltalbahn (as well as in the train).