Speckled Hen Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I was watching Look North last night and they were suggesting that heritage steam railways were under threat because of the price of coal. I'm flabbergasted. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-22687093 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obelix Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 It's more that proper steam coal is tricky to get because not many people want it. Anthracite is generally supplied in too small a grade to be useful in a locomotive firebox - it falls out the grate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speckled Hen Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 It's more that proper steam coal is tricky to get because not many people want it. Anthracite is generally supplied in too small a grade to be useful in a locomotive firebox - it falls out the grate! I'm puzzled why it should be a problem. These guys aren't doing the London to Edinburgh express or a 600 ton night freight. They can put any grid in the firebox and burn any coal as the longest steam line is only around 18 miles and rather lacking in gradients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obelix Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I'm not too sure of the details.... However from conversations I had with some of the traction engine guys at the Temple Newsam steam thing the coal quality is important. It's not the heat but the lack of soots and other stuff that they are also concerned about - lower grade coals are too cool to get up steam well, and also are very acid and attack the insides of the boilers much more than a proper hard coal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyboy Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I'm not too sure of the details.... However from conversations I had with some of the traction engine guys at the Temple Newsam steam thing the coal quality is important. It's not the heat but the lack of soots and other stuff that they are also concerned about - lower grade coals are too cool to get up steam well, and also are very acid and attack the insides of the boilers much more than a proper hard coal. Another black (sooty) mark against Mrs Thatcher and pit closures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obelix Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Are you really suggesting that we should keep a colliery open just to provide a small amount of anthracite, just on the groounds that some steam enthusiasts have some short term trouble sourcing supplies? That's a huge black rubber stamp marked FAIL for you I'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alchresearch Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 There are plenty of small independent private pits open. Many are quite lucrative for small scale operations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencoop Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 There are plenty of small independent private pits open. Many are quite lucrative for small scale operations. is the one in eckington still open? Posted from Sheffieldforum.co.uk App for Android Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyboy Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Are you really suggesting that we should keep a colliery open just to provide a small amount of anthracite, just on the groounds that some steam enthusiasts have some short term trouble sourcing supplies? That's a huge black rubber stamp marked FAIL for you I'm afraid. No it was a joke. I got in before the usual forumites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truman Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 is the one in eckington still open? Posted from Sheffieldforum.co.uk App for Android The one down Rotherside Road?...Think so.. http://www.dcservices.co.uk/news/1179308/ten-year-extension-allowed-eckington-drift-mine/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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