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Coal shortage hits Vintage Trains and Severn Valley Railway Coal shortage hits Vintage Trains and Severn Valley Railway
(about 2 hours later)
A heritage steam train service could be under threat unless its operator can find a reliable source of coal.A heritage steam train service could be under threat unless its operator can find a reliable source of coal.
Vintage Trains Ltd, based in Tyseley, Birmingham, said it had just enough supplies to last until the end of June.Vintage Trains Ltd, based in Tyseley, Birmingham, said it had just enough supplies to last until the end of June.
The firm had bought fuel from Daw Mill colliery in Warwickshire, until its closure after a fire in February.The firm had bought fuel from Daw Mill colliery in Warwickshire, until its closure after a fire in February.
Vintage Trains said the move, coupled with the collapse of Scottish Coal last month, had caused a run on steam coal.Vintage Trains said the move, coupled with the collapse of Scottish Coal last month, had caused a run on steam coal.
Managing director Bob Meanley said locomotives needed a specific type of coal that was difficult to find.Managing director Bob Meanley said locomotives needed a specific type of coal that was difficult to find.
"We're concerned and seriously worried. There are supplies of foreign coal getting into the country, but indigenous supplies are very hard to get hold of," he said."We're concerned and seriously worried. There are supplies of foreign coal getting into the country, but indigenous supplies are very hard to get hold of," he said.
Russian coalRussian coal
There about 200 heritage rail companies across the country, many operating steam trains. There about 200 heritage rail companies in the UK, many of them operating steam trains.
House coal and that used by power stations is not suitable for locomotives, which require large-grade fuel with a very high burning temperature. House coal and that used by power stations is unsuitable for locomotives, which require large-grade fuel with a very high burning temperature.
Scottish Coal produced the preferred fuel used by the Severn Valley Railway, which carries about 250,000 passengers a year between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire. Scottish Coal produced the fuel used by the Severn Valley Railway, which carries about 250,000 passengers a year between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire.
Its general manager Nick Ralls said the heritage line had now secured a regular supply of Russian coal. General manager Nick Ralls said the heritage line had secured supplies of Russian coal.
He said: "There's a lot of people going for coal and there's less about. He said: "You think coal is coal, but no, it's got to have the right burning properties. If it hasn't, you get it clinkering up in the firebox, causing problems for the fireman."
"You think coal is coal, but no, it's got to have the right burning properties. If it hasn't, you get it clinkering up in the firebox, causing problems for the fireman. Mr Meanley said using Russian coal would mean an increase in price of 10 to 12%.
"Our engineering team is constantly on the look out. They're looking at the calorific value, how hot the stuff burns, what chemicals are in it." Without a reliable source, he said, the firm may be forced to turn to diesel engines - a decision likely to be unpopular with the line's passengers.
Mr Meanley said Vintage Trains could also be forced to turn to Russian coal, although he said it was about 10 to 12% more expensive than previous supplies.
He said without a reliable source, the firm may be forced to turn to diesel engines, although that would be an unpopular decision with passengers.