The Severn Valley Railway has announced changes to operations over the coming months as they try to conserve coal stocks.
The heritage railway, like many others across the country, are facing issues sourcing new coal supplies with the search becoming more challenging due to the conflict in Eastern Europe.
As a knock-on effect of these difficulties, the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has made the decision to postpone all footplate experiences until the end of May until a later date. SVR has been in touch with all affected by these changes.
This follows on from the news that the East Lancashire Railway were altering some operating days to be diesel hauled rather than steam.
Helen Smith, Managing Director, explained more: “We are having to make some difficult decisions in order to conserve our existing supply of coal, and we need to do all we can to make our existing supply last longer. We are working hard to secure new supplies, which will ease the situation.
“We are having to postpone some of our footplate experiences as an initial measure and have contacted all those that are impacted at this moment in time. The Severn Valley Railway is looking at further measures to conserve and prolong our existing coal supplies which include using a mixture of coal and other materials, including e-coal and Ovoid.
“This issue has come at a very difficult time for everyone in the heritage railway industry as we are all recovering from the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic.”
“Keeping the SVR running public services is our top priority, and the measures we're now introducing will help secure heritage rail travel in the coming months for our passengers.”
All other events such as the SVR's Open House Weekend, Spring Steam and Spring Diesel Festival are set to go ahead as planned.
The 16-mile long heritage railway is based in both Shropshire and Worcestershire following the river Severn for the majority of its route. Operating both steam and diesel locomotives, the Severn Valley Railway is a popular destination and has become one of the UK's most popular heritage attractions.
Over in Ireland, Columbian coal is in widespread use. It burns well with very little clinker left. One of only a few “approved” types. I wonder if the heritage rail people have looked into it? (ie getting it from an importer in ROI not all the way from Columbia)
It wouldn’t look good for the government to reopen coal mines when we’re trying to minimise its use plus serving the heritage sector would not be cost effective this is not a new issue small railways all over the UK have been importing coal for years because it was cheaper for them to import than not it’s all down to availability and cost in the end because these railways are businesses and they have to make a profit otherwise they end up loosing money.
Forget the Ukraine war for a minute and just think about the big increase in the carbon footprint shipping coal in from Russia as no sources in the UK.
Below the surface of Britain are huge quantities of coal, so why do we need to import any? Reopen some of the UK mines to serve such needs as heritage railways.