Model Railway Forum

Unfortunately, I recently saw an email from a constituent to a Councillor asking the Cllr what they intended to do about a local narrow-gauge railway in terms of the fact it uses coal and is polluting the atmosphere.

It was only one complaint, but it did get me to thinking what the future holds for lines throughout the country that use steam. It's only a small amount, but campaigners will I’m sure pick up on this and I guess it’s only a matter of time until the roads are blocked by ‘Stop Steam Britain’ idiots.

It’s probably a long way off, but what could the future hold for Heritage lines without coal?

I’ve been wondering about heritage railways for some time. I can see them becoming none working museums as far as steam is concerned.

Be sad if they do, but it seems to be the way of the world and probably a necessary move

The heritage railways that run diesel locos could be in trouble too. In the future, when lorries are mainly battery electric and new cars are all electric the availability of diesel is bound to be reduced. The price is also likely to increase because demand isn't there.

Yes, I could be talking about long after most of us here has gone! But, 2050 isn't that far away and by then production of the necessary grade of diesel will be reduced due to a general lack of demand.

The future isn't bright for heritage lines or the grand-children of those keen on running them. They will become, not 'working museums' but static displays with videos or even Virtual Reality rides.

I work on a miniature railway that runs one steam loco. We have discussed the use of coal. ‘Clean’ fuels cost a lot more and don’t produce the necessary heat and so more has to be burnt. The pollution we generate is minuscule compared to say China or the USA. We have to be very careful otherwise we will be left with no industry or anything else whilst the main polluters keep polluting and our factories are closed down with the usual loss of jobs and the social ills that follow. Then, we live at the whim of China et al. Yes, we have to be greener but it needs to be a level playing field. I bought a diesel car because it was cleaner at the time. Now, I’m a pariah.

If you can put electric motors in trucks buses and cars why not convert old steam Locos to electric power. We do it all the time with models. Through history, man has always found a way. In stead of a coal tender the tender could push the loco. Just an idea, may be a mad one but idea none the less.

Not sure that’s why people go to heritage railways. A steam loco is a living breathing machine.

People, both locals and visitors love our steam loco. I can’t see a battery driven loco being much of an attraction. I know we have to all do our bit, but to ban such a visitor attraction whilst industrial pollution remains and some countries continue to pollute massively without restraint gives people like myself a very jaundiced view of the systems in place. Hit the significant polluters first then move onto the minor polluters, not the other way around. Or is there too much at stake financially to do this? Whatever form of transport becomes dominant, there will always be pollution of some type. Batteries have to be made and then dealt with when they reach the end of life. Battery powered cars have to be made in the first place - and much plastic will be involved. As one scientist/philosopher from many years once said - “Matter can be neither created nor destroyed”.

Trouble is if nothing is done until the major polluters have been tackled nothing will ever be done. Every little bit helps.

It may be possible to fill a Steam loco's tender with batteries to feed custom built immersion heaters in the boiler so it'll still be a steamer with a chuff but no smoke.