Interest only, how does solid fuel vary when used in a boiler.

Joined
27 Jan 2008
Messages
24,313
Reaction score
2,777
Location
Llanfair Caereinion, Nr Welshpool
Country
United Kingdom
I see the fire being lit with an oily rag, first with some old wood, and then with some black stuff, and I know how the boiler is stoked depends on the black stuff, with Welsh steam coal being the best, but with the mines closing other produces are being used, I here Polish coal is no good, and they have been using compressed coal dust, as briquets, but there seems to be a lot of un-burnt fuel landing on the carriages, and seen the train having to stop to get steam up again.

It seems it can work, but works different, where the fire needs stoking changes with different fuels, I don't have the energy any more to become a fireman, so hearing third hand, so maybe some one can explain how different fuels can be used? I know railway engines can run on oil and wood, but what is involved, don't want to see the end of steam, so what is involved?
 
Back
Top