Coal shortage

[Roger O]

After reading several articles on the subject on the government clean air act,it appears to me that coal will soon be a thing of the past even given the fact that preserved steam be it loco, museum or traction engines are exempt from the legislation,the fact is that when the major industrial and domestic users stop being allowed to use coal the distribution infrastructure will cease and it will be uneconomicle to sorce the minute amounts of large lump steam coal estimated at between 0.1% 15,000 tonnes to 0.25% 26,000 tonnes required by the heritage industry. This is coming into affect in the next few years,it's not scare mongering it's fact.
I sincerely hope the powers to be find a way around this predicament as it would be a sad loss for our grand children's children not to experience that first glimpse of the power and smell of a live steam engine.

[Mountain Goat]

During WW2 Switzerland found it had an issue as it relied on other countries for its coal and no matter which side of the war one was on, either side were desperate for coal, so Switzerland had to resort to unusual measures. They had electric elements to heat the boilers of steam locomotives which had pantographs on their roofs (As by then many lines had been electrified).

[footplate1947]

I think Roger that you are quite right it would be a tremendous loss to future generations if steam locos were unable to run on heritage lines and places like Beamish Museum.
I do think things like that will be made exempt and the regulations will be written in such a way to allow museums to continue as they always have.
After all the pollution caused by a few heritage railway lines and the museums are minimal. The main cause is out in the wider world where Co2 is the main thing causing problems. A few steam locos trunderling around is a splash in the ocean in comparison to millions of homes and power stations burning gas and coal 24 hours a day to keep our houses warm and heat up our hot water for the washing up and baths. I am sure that Heritage Railways will be classed as Museums and be made exempt as they are part of education. ................John

[Roger O]

To my knowledge the heritage industry will be aloud to use coal but the problem will be the supply chain which will have disappeared because of insufficient demands. If we loose 99% of coal users and the British mines are closing within two years time then where would the coal be coming from at economical prices. Most of the coal merchants will have disappeared because domestic coal will not be sold. Foreign coal would be to expensive given the very small amount used by the heritage industry.

[footplate1947]

Morning Roger.............Yes the mines are being closed but in fact only a few are working any way and if you go to Humber docks you will see millions of tons on imported coal as far as the eye can see which is coming in to feed out power stations by the ship load. I don't think the government want us to know that. Any way a friend of mine worked at an open cast mine up till couple years ago when he retired and he told me that they sent out 2 or three trains a day off to fire the power stations which was low grade coal and dust and the best of the coal went out by road mainly to Belgium he told me. So the coal which people use on their fires and multi fuel burners which seem to be popular these days is imported coal anyway. I dont think the Heritage Railway and Museums have much to worry about for many years to come. Even if they do run out of supply I think there is alternative synthetic logs which they may well be able to use. Like my father used to say........There is no such a word as Can't
I have found through life he was right..
...............John

[Roger O]

Hope your right John. All coal fired power stations must close in the next couple of years in accordance with the clean air policy so when the major importers have stopped importing I doubt it will be viable to import the small amount needed by Heritage Industry.
Try and get a copy of Steam Railway February there is a very good article about it, the Heritage industry is very worried.
Roger

[footplate1947]

I cant see coal power stations closing in couple of years, it is pie in the sky. But I do agree with you Rog I hope things do sort them selves out. Dont know how much the Heritage lines use but I do know that there are coal importers bringing in a lot for household use. It is the stuff you see packed in bags which is sold in corner shops and it id not that expensive I have bought some myself for my multi fuel burner. Up here there are plenty of coal merchants selling the stuff as there is not much in the way of gas supply in the country districts. I assume they are probably selling imported stuff. Fingers crossed I think.. But I have confidence that the educational value of steam lines will get the OK. One thing is for sure they will probably have to pay bit more for the coal. There are one or two private coal mines still working which may be able to fill a gap.

[GeoffAlan2]

Don't worry, Banks group are planning to open cast 800 000t near Throckley just North of the Tyne.

[footplate1947]

Yes that is true but the key word is planning it has not happened yet the plans could be blocked.