<P> In an effort to boost tourism, in the summer of 2015 the Abellio ScotRail railway franchise began offering steam specials on scenic routes, although the company was criticised for having not promoted the services enough, leading to an initial shortfall in demand, which Abellio attributed to a late change of operator . The franchise also provided 3 days a week steam specials on the newly opened Borders Railway between Edinburgh and Tweedbank . Network Rail suffered heavy criticism after an error led to it proposing to cancel trips hauled by Flying Scotsman on these services with just two days notice, only to reverse their decision a day later . Hailed as a success, the Borders Railway trips returned for the 2016 season . </P> <P> On three consecutive days in February 2017, Northern Rail replaced two return journeys between Appleby and Skipton, normally operated by a diesel multiple - unit, with steam - hauled services worked by no . 60163 Tornado . Unlike the services described above, regular National Rail tickets were valid for travel on these trains, thus making them the first regular scheduled steam - hauled passenger trains since the end of BR steam . </P> <P> Since the lifting of the steam ban in 1971, main line steam operation had an exemplary safety record . </P> <P> Network Rail identify the greatest operational risk of steam locomotives on the modernised network as lineside fires, caused by embers from the fire box, since they can cause both damage to equipment and delays to services . According to Network Rail, the risk to the modern railway is higher than in the days of normal steam operation, as lineside vegetation is thicker and greener due to not being regularly burned back by lineside fires . In 2008 a locomotive was banned from the main line after causing a severe damage to a Cumbrian Coast Line wooden viaduct, although this was presumed to be due to a fault with the engine . Network Rail has issued bans on steam services running on certain parts of its network in response to lineside fires; in 2011 banning weekday services on the East Coast Main Line, and in 2014 banning all services on the LNE & East Midlands Route, although critics have described them as disproportionate and made various arguments as to how they are unjustified . In a pre-emptive measure during a heatwave in August 2013, steam services across much of the network were banned (unless hauled by a diesel over a banned section). Network Rail also pre-emptively bans steam operation in any area affected by industrial action by a Fire Brigade . </P>

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