Mixed results for Staffordshire railway’s steam locomotive e-coal trial

The Apedale Valley Light Railway has tested e-coal on one of their steam locomotives.

The trial took place on the first day of the 2022 season, with the e-coal product being used with Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 No. 1238.

This e-coal product claims to be more sustainable than mined coal, with lower CO2 and less smoke.

The AVLR says that the results were mixed, with a long wait for the locomotive to steam to the required pressure – which also involved a diesel locomotive taking the 1130 train.

In fact, according to the AVLR’s statement, the fireman was heard saying that the “plastic bag probably burnt better than the coal”. However, once in steam, the product seemed to work well.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Bure Valley Railway and other railways have trialled e-coal as sourcing mined coal gets more expensive and difficult to source.

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