Multiple reports say Network Rail introduces a nationwide ban on steam train operations during the current heatwave. The decision is presented as a health and safety measure, with concerns centered on the risk of trackside fires when steam engines operate in very hot conditions. Outlets describe passengers and heritage railway visitors as being disappointed because planned trips are disrupted or cancelled as the restriction comes into effect. The reports characterize the move as “quietly” implemented, implying that travellers may not have been fully informed in advance. While the overall reason given across sources is consistent—reducing the likelihood of fires near railway lines in extreme temperatures—details such as the precise duration of the ban and the specific operational exceptions are not consistently specified in the provided text. Overall, the accounts converge on the same central point: Network Rail restricts steam services during the heatwave due to elevated fire-safety risk, affecting heritage day trips and other planned journeys.