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.
Just read your story about the e-coal, it sounds interesting.
I suggest that a combined steam railway work party is formed to get down to Ffos y Fran mine and start digging.
Yes Ffos y fan mine issue should be investigated. Could, for example, an urgent crowd funded appeal be made to fund investigating this.It could be started by the umbrella body that represents preserved railway in UK.
It may well be a difficult mining proposition as the said was, I believe open cast and is in the process of being shut down.Most open cast sites often were filled in and levelled for future alternative us.