Preserving history requires adapting to modern times, as head of engineering and Bridgnorth's volunteer shed master Martin White reports:

The 2022 season has started and once again looks as if it is going to be anything but ‘normal’ due to the current coal supply situation. We ended 2021 with approximately 60 tons of coal in our storage bunkers, a deliberate decision as there were already indications that there might be some supply issues early in 2022.

Unfortunately, the situation in Eastern Europe resulted in a rapid escalation of the difficulties in supply. Thankfully, 300 tons of lump coal was sourced, with as much of this secured and delivered to SVR as early as possible. At their maximum, the MPD at Bridgnorth and the loco coal pile at Kidderminster combined can hold about 110-120 tons. So, alternative arrangements have been made, including creating a stockpile at the rear of Kidderminster car park. Conversations have taken place with a number of UK coal suppliers and factors, to determine the availability of supplies of lump coal for the rest of the year. In addition, we are investigating the availability of alternative fuels.

The primary choice is ovoids, a product that some older members will know as ‘briquettes’. Ovoids are a form of compressed coal dust and a binding agent. The opinions gathered from other heritage consumers is that ovoids are a viable product, especially when mixed with lump coal, although careful footplate management is needed.

Deliveries of ovoids have commenced into the stock pile at Kidderminster whilst provisions are being made at Bridgnorth for a second storage bunker to keep ovoids separate from the lump coal. Ovoids are a proven product but new to the SVR, so over the next few weeks, testing will be carried out to establish the best ratio of ovoid to lump coal required for peak locomotive performance. The expectation is that different formulae may be required for different locomotive types.

Another product which is increasingly referenced in the media is ‘eco coal’ or ‘ecoal’. This is another type of compressed fuel which includes a percentage of renewable plant material, typically crushed olive stones. There are multiple different versions of both ovoids and ecoal, a number of which have been trialled in the heritage rail environment, with varying results. Preparations are currently being made for us to conduct our own trials of ecoal on the SVR.

It should be remembered that not all coal is the same. During the opening weekend of the season there were numerous lineside fires, believed to be a direct result of the type of fuel being burned. This was coal from the final deliveries of 2021 (originating from Kazakhstan) which had been observed to produce a large volume of small sparks from locomotive chimneys, which remained glowing for a considerable period of time. Coal from a new source may be discovered to have different properties.

It will be apparent that there are a lot of uncertainties right now. Unfortunately, one thing that is certain is that the cost of coal products has increased significantly since last year.

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