Coal Shortage

mucker · Loco Cleaner Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

I`d appreciate any information about where I can find steam coal in France. At the moment I have to wait for a return visit to the UK (becoming less and less frequent) and pick up supplies from Maxitrak on the way to the ferries. I have tried adding charbon de forge to the steam coal to eek it out but because it burns at a substantially higher temperature than steam coal I fear it might damage the firebox or firebars. I can get anthracite nuts locally but these require too much effort to break them up.

Ron Wallman · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:58 am Post subject: coal stortage

Coal supply is yet another reason why I avoided steam.

I could try the line at Valmondois but they want money to enter and frankly when I asked if my kids could turn over a point lever to show how points worked on an unused bit of track the reply was a most stroppy no and I have not been back there since. I suspect asking where they get coal would be equally unhelpful.

The Dompierre line is about one and a half hours drive from here but their coal has more sulphur in it than I thought possible. The smoke has a very yellow content to it. Going uphill through the tunnel in an open carriage with the regulator fully open was a life threatening experience. I have never been able to get any of the family to go there again. I was told it was normal for a steam engine to do this and when I told them they did not know how to drive or to use the very close by thunderbird diesel to push the train through the advice was not well received.

I have it that France Charbons, 36, Route du Bassin 6, 92230 Gennevillers( tel 01 47 98 85 49) sell to individuals and I could get there fairly easily. However all the references I could find are hours away from where you are and what they sell may not be what you are looking for.

I take it that you would not want me to pick up a batch on my travels including Britain?

Best Regards

Ron
_________________
Ron

ilvaporista · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

If you get the on holiday the Harz line sells the odd bag. A friend brought back two sacks with much mumblings form the family who had to share the journey with the sacks under their feet...

_________________
Adrian Parker