which coal to use

[Ben ClarkeParticipant @benclarke31388]

[Ben ClarkeParticipant @benclarke31388]

I have a 7 1/4 ” gauge steam locomotive. large loco, 5 feet long.

Which coal should I use?

Do I need a special steam coal or does it really not matter?

[mgjParticipant @mgj]

I have a 3″ LS- so I’m not sure if one is comparing apples with apples.

 

Anthracite I am not too fond of. It burns very hot and it seems to like a lot of draught, so its either white hot or dying and nowhere in between.

 

I’ve used various types of steam coal- seems to burn more red than white, but its not so up and down so I find it rather easier to use. But then I have also had some (theoretically) steam coal which clinkered very badly after hard work, and left the grate clogged.

 

Housecoal they say is pretty good – akin to steam coal. I like the smoke (which you don’t get with anthracite). I didn’t built a steamer to be all eco.

 

A lot has to do with getting the lumps the right size for the grate in use.

 

Truth is I doubt it matters, so long as you have grate, blast nozzle and coal sizes, and blower nozzle size set for the stuff one is using, but I prefer steam coal, or failing that a mix of anthracite and steam coal, using plum sized lumps.

 

Ask at the club, see what they suggest for such a loco and then give that  a go – see whatt happens? At the end of the day its a steam engine – ain’t that critical and ain’t exactly rocket science.

Edited By mgj on 30/12/2011 23:00:55

[Tony MartyrParticipant @tonymartyr14488]

Ben

You should avoid the very bituminous coals because, unlike the steam coals (which have a very high carbon content) they can clog the fire when the lumps weld themselves together.

My first attempts at firing a 31/2″ loco were completely frustrated by using house coal. In any case house coal is a very variable mixture some with high ash and silica contents and other, like mine, with high tar content. It is worth getting steam coal from a specialist supplier. I got mine from a guy at the Midlands Exhibition in October and start the fire with kerosine soaked BarBQ charcoal and have no clogging problems since.

[Author]

Posts